tomversation

Great Gatsby-style Drinks: 10 Timeless Cocktail Recipes

Cartoon via TomFalco.com

The Greta Gatsby was published April 10, 1925 – 100 years ago today.

The Great Gatsby era, the Roaring Twenties, is known for its glamorous parties, jazz, and classic cocktails. Here are 10 cocktail recipes that would fit right in with the opulence and style of The Great Gatsby:

Gin Rickey

1. Gin Rickey

A simple yet refreshing drink popular in the 1920s, made with gin, lime juice, and club soda.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz lime juice
  • Club soda
  • Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Fill a glass with ice.
  2. Add gin and lime juice.
  3. Top with club soda.
  4. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.

2. French 75

A sophisticated, bubbly cocktail combining gin, champagne, lemon juice, and sugar.

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Champagne
  • Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.
  2. Strain into a flute glass and top with champagne.
  3. Garnish with a lemon twist.

3. Bee’s Knees

A sweet gin cocktail that was very popular during Prohibition, combining honey, lemon, and gin.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz gin
  • 3/4 oz honey syrup
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
  • Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake gin, honey syrup, and lemon juice with ice.
  2. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
  3. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Mint Julep

4. Mint Julep

A classic Southern cocktail that became famous during the 1920s. This is the drink to serve at any Gatsby-inspired garden party.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Fresh mint leaves
  • Crushed ice
  • Mint sprig for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Muddle mint leaves with simple syrup at the bottom of a glass.
  2. Fill with crushed ice.
  3. Pour bourbon over the ice and stir well.
  4. Garnish with a mint sprig.

5. Sidecar

A timeless cocktail featuring brandy, triple sec, and lemon juice. It’s the epitome of a Gatsby-style drink.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz brandy
  • 1 oz triple sec
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • Orange twist for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake brandy, triple sec, and lemon juice with ice.
  2. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
  3. Garnish with an orange twist.

6. Daiquiri

While often associated with rum, the original daiquiri was a simple and strong cocktail that could be found in the jazz-filled lounges of the 1920s.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz white rum
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 3/4 oz simple syrup
  • Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake rum, lime juice, and simple syrup with ice.
  2. Strain into a coupe glass.
  3. Garnish with a lime wheel.

7. Whiskey Sour

A sweet and sour classic, perfect for the sophisticated crowd of the 1920s.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
  • 3/4 oz lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.
  2. Strain into a rocks glass with ice.
  3. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Old Fashioned

8. Old Fashioned

A timeless cocktail, full of bold flavors, and a favorite of many during the Jazz Age.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
  • 1 sugar cube
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Orange twist and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Muddle the sugar cube with bitters in a rocks glass.
  2. Add ice and pour whiskey over it.
  3. Stir and garnish with an orange twist and cherry.

9. Tom Collins

This gin-based drink is refreshing and ideal for any Gatsby-inspired bash.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Club soda
  • Lemon wheel and cherry for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice.
  2. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
  3. Top with club soda.
  4. Garnish with a lemon wheel and cherry.

10. Champagne Cocktail

For a bit of bubbly glamour, this drink is perfect for the glittering parties of Gatsby’s world.

Ingredients:

  • 1 sugar cube
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • Champagne
  • Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Place the sugar cube in a champagne flute and add the bitters.
  2. Fill with champagne.
  3. Garnish with a lemon twist.

These cocktails evoke the luxury, glamour, and excess of the Jazz Age, perfect for celebrating the opulence of The Great Gatsby! Enjoy mixing these timeless drinks for your next Gatsby-themed gathering.

The Great Gatsby book may be purchased here.

RECEIVE 10 WITH TOM in your email each time I publish. Sign up here.

Leave a comment