A Merchant Selection
Harry’s recipe calls for
Available from Le Bon Lion for one night only
Jack Rose
Applejack or Calvados, fresh lime juice and house-made
grenadine
This undoubtedly was one of the biggest drinks around from
its inception in 1905 right through until the start of
Prohibition in 1919. Frank May is believed to have invented
this drinks when he was employed at Gene Sullivan’s café in
Jersey City.
The Bentley
Noilly Prat Ambre, Calvados and Dubonnet
This drink was created by Harry Craddock on the 28th
February 1922 to mark the wedding of H.R.H Princess Mary,
daughter of King George V and Queen Mary to Henry,
Viscount Lascelles. This drink was first listed in The Savoy
Cocktail Book (1930).
The Clover Club
Gin, Dry & Sweet Vermouths, fresh lemon juice and house-made
raspberry cordial
Albert Stevens Crockett who wrote the Old-Waldorf Astoria
Bar Book, states this drink was: “a Philadelphia importation,
which originated in the bar of the old Bellevue-Stratford,
where the Clover Club, composed of literary, legal, financial
and Business lights of the Quaker City.” The first
documented listing of this drink is found in Drinks by Paul
Lowe from 1909, however the recipe that we have followed
is found in Beverages De Luxe published in 1911 which has
two vermouths in the recipe
Little Polynesian
Appleton VX, Myers Dark Rum, Orange Curacao, fresh lime juice,
kumquats, orange bitters and sugar syrup
A Sean Muldoon original, created for the Merchant Hotel.
The Little Polynesian was a carefully crafted twist on the Mai
Tai. The simple and effective use of kumquats really sets this
apart as Tiki styled drink and has graced the Merchant menu
since 2006
The Martinez
Sweet Vermouth, Old Tom Gin, Maraschino, Recreated Bokers
Bitters
The Martinez is considered to be the first truly revolutionary
cocktail. The Martinez in its truest form first appears in print
in O.H.Byron book the Modern Bartender published 1884. It
later appears in Jerry Thomas’ book the “Bon Vivant
Companion” where Jerry Thomas takes full credit for its
invention.
Pegu Club
Gin, Orange Curacao, Fresh lime juice, Aromatic and orange
bitters
The only legacy that survives from the club’s heyday is the
self titled cocktail “The Pegu club”. It is believed to have
been created during the 1920’s by one of the club’s
members and heralded as cocktail genius. The first original
recipe appears in Harry McElhone’s cocktail book “Barflies
and Cocktails”, printed in 1927.
Gin, Orange Curacao, Rose’s Lime Cordial and a dash
each of Angostura and Orange bitters. All recipes printed
there after substitute fresh lime juice for Rose’s Lime
Cordial leaving the true recipe up for debate and
speculation. I believe that fresh lime juice makes for a
much more pleasurable cocktail.
Hayden’s own creations
World famous in New Zealand, notorious in Belfast
Erin’s Delight
Gin, Crème de Cacao, fresh lime juice, coriander, sugar syrup
and Recreated Bokers bitters
I named this cocktail after my lovely Northern Irish Wife
Erin. Erin is gin mad and taught me how to truly
appreciate this spirit . I created this drink for a Martin
Miller’s competition and although I didn’t win the
competition my Wife loved the drink.
P&G
St. Germain, Fino sherry, fresh lemon juice, orange and
aromatic bitters
The “Pomp and glory” is just simple re-working of the
Bamboo cocktail which was created by Louis Eppinger at
the Grand Hotel, Yokohama, Japan. I was introduced to
sherry in cocktails by a very eccentric gentleman. He was
the sole inspiration behind this creation.
The Celery Snap
Gin, Orange Curacao, fresh lime juice, celery, sugar syrup
and soda water
I created this cocktail after sampling a cocktail created
by a bartender at Bugsy’s bar in Prague. It was a simple
celery sour made with vodka. Much to the bartenders
annoyance I asked him to make his drink with gin. This
is my humble attempt to create a drink that is a bitter-
sweet symphony.
The Ranfurly Cocktail
Bourbon, Aperol, cucumber, aromatic bitters and orange
bitters
I created this cocktail as in introduction to bourbon. The
idea came to me when I was reading Bottoms Up by Ted
Saucier (1951). It was based on The Christy Girl cocktail
which was simply Irish whisky poured over a slice of
cucumber. I named this cocktail after a provincial rugby
match played in New Zealand. The Ranfurly Shield is the
most sought after trophy in the NPC. The shield is
currently held by my home team the Wellingtons Lions,
coincidence I think not!
Hayden would like to thank Mr Joerg Meyer and his staff
for their wonderful hospitality
Check out www.Thepoetryofbartending/blogspot.com
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Contact Travlinboy@yahoo.com