Iowa Fall 21-Winter 22 - 10

S
ometimes, the past is worth forgetting.
Like the platform shoes, leisure suits and bell
bottoms of the '70s. Or the blind date who
wasn't exactly what your friends had promised. At
other times, though, we may trade in the tried and
true for something trendy ... perhaps to realize later
that we've lost a classic.
Alcoholic drinks have changed over the past century.
Although there's much to appreciate about
contemporary cocktail culture, our grandparents had
some pretty rad drinks, too.
Whether you're searching for a way to pleasantly
surprise the older generations at your holiday gathering,
longing for a taste of the past, or looking for
something " new, " classic cocktails promise to
please.
DISCOVERING THE OLDIES BUT
GOODIES
Alcohol has been swept along with the tides of
historical events and cultural changes. Uncovering
the evolution of cocktails involves digging into old
records-tasty and refreshing research.
Old cocktail recipe books give a peek into what
was popular. The Old Mr. Boston distillery published
cocktail recipe books beginning in 1935, churning
out new, updated editions every few years. These
Old Mr. Boston's Official Bartender's Guide featured
hundreds of recipes made with a wide range of spirits.
Want to know what was on the minds of home
and professional bartenders over the years? Ask Mr.
Boston!
Besides reflecting wider cultural trends, works of
literature, TV shows and movies reflect cocktail culture,
too. What did the stars drink that might be
good in your glass?
When his spurned love shows up with a new
flame on her arm, Humphrey Bogart's character in
" Casablanca " (1942), Rick, orders a French 75 (a
Champagne cocktail with gin, lemon juice, and simple
syrup).
The Elvis Presley movie " Blue Hawaii " (1961)
features a Tiki cocktail classic, the Mai Tai (two rums,
orange curaçao, orgeat almond syrup and lime
juice).
And then there's James Bond (1960 and on). The
cunning spy and captivating womanizer was known
for ordering a " Vodka Martini, shaken, not stirred. "
In Ian Fleming's books, Bond also drinks Gin Martini,
Scotch and Soda, Vodka Tonic, Gin & Tonic,
Americano, Old Fashioned, Stinger and several other
cocktails-all classic and classy, of course. In " Casino
Royale " (1953 book and 2006 movie), Bond created
the Vesper Martini, using gin, vodka and dry
vermouth.
" The Big Lebowski " cult favorite is inextricably
woven with The Dude's favorite drink, a White
Russian. Though the 1998 movie is set in the early
'90s, the vodka, coffee liqueur and cream cocktail
was created in 1949.
AIDED BY CELEBRITY
RUSTY NAIL
The origins of this drink are shrouded in mystery-it may
have appeared as early as 1937-but it reached its height of
popularity in the 1960s, perhaps because Frank Sinatra and
the Rat Pack professed an affinity for it.
1½ ounces Scotch
¾ ounce Drambuie
 Add ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir
until well-chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large
ice cube.
10 IOWA SPIRITS
Iowa Fall 21-Winter 22

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