The Emerson cocktail is a sophisticated and delicious drink that combines gin with red vermouth. It offers a balanced and elegant taste. A relatively small amount of lime juice shifts the cocktail from the bitter to the sour category, though it does so more subtly than other classic cocktails of its era. The Emerson cocktail may be particularly popular at more refined gatherings.
History
The exact origins of the drink are unknown, but some legends claim it was named in honor of Ralph Waldo Emerson. One of the earliest references to the cocktail appears in Jacques Straub’s 1913 book Straub’s Manual of Mixed Drinks. It may not be one of the trendiest cocktails these days, but it is usually found on the menu at bars with a strong pedigree.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz (45 ml) gin (preferably Old Tom)
1 oz (30 ml) sweet red vermouth
½ oz (15 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
⅓ oz (10 ml) maraschino liqueur
How to make an Emerson cocktail
Pour all the ingredients into a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a pre-chilled glass.
Serve and garnish
The Emerson cocktail is traditionally served in a pre-chilled coupe or martini glass. To garnish, use a spiral of orange peel placed on the rim of the glass. You can also garnish with maraschino cherries on a stick.
Calorie content
One serving of an Emerson cocktail contains about 160 calories. The calorie content mainly depends on the amount of vermouth and maraschino liqueur.