The Brown Derby cocktail is a Hollywood classic. Surprisingly, it did not begin its rise to fame in an exclusive bar. Instead, it first appeared on the menu of an iconic American restaurant. Grapefruit juice, bourbon, and honey syrup come together in a fresh, citrusy drink. At the same time, the cocktail feels warm and rounded. The honey links the other two ingredients. It softens the sharpness of the grapefruit and brings out the depth of the bourbon. As a result, the Brown Derby works beautifully as an afternoon refresher. It is just as enjoyable as an evening drink.Some modern versions replace the honey with maple syrup, but that changes the original character of the cocktail.
Story
The Brown Derby cocktail was reportedly created in the 1930s by a bartender at the Vendôme Café, located at 6666 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California. The Vendôme opened in May 1933 under William “Billy” Wilkerson, a real estate developer who also owned The Hollywood Reporter, whose offices were just one block away from the bar. Although the cocktail was created at the Vendôme, it was named after another fashionable Hollywood restaurant of the era: the Brown Derby, located at 1628 North Vine Street. Thanks to its proximity to the film studios, this branch of the Brown Derby became even more famous than the original, smaller location at 3427 Wilshire Boulevard, known for its derby hat-shaped building. In any case, the restaurant was certainly a favorite among Hollywood celebrities.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz (45 ml) bourbon whiskey
1 oz (30 ml) freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, preferably pink, though white also works
½ oz (15 ml) honey syrup, made with honey and water in a 1:1 ratio, or maple syrup
How to Make a Brown Derby Cocktail
Add the ingredients to a shaker with ice, then shake thoroughly so the honey syrup blends smoothly and the drink becomes well chilled. Next, fine strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. Depending on the type of grapefruit you use, the cocktail will take on a pale pink or light orange hue.
Serving and Garnish
The Brown Derby cocktail is served without ice in a coupe or cocktail glass. For garnish, a grapefruit twist or a thin grapefruit slice works beautifully. However, it is also often served without any garnish, allowing its natural color and aroma to speak for themselves.
Calorie Content
One serving of the Brown Derby cocktail contains approximately 160–170 calories. The bourbon and honey provide most of the calories, while the grapefruit adds a smaller amount through its naturally occurring sugars.