"Cocktail is a stimulating liquor composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters--it is vulgarly called a bittered sling and is supposed to be an excellent electioneering potion, inasmuch as it renders the heart stout and bold, at the same time that it fuddles the head."
Balance and Columbian Repository, May 13, 1806
In the modern-era, the term cocktail is pretty much an umbrella term used to classify just about any drink that is a mixture of any combination of juices, spirits, cordials, etc. However, at one time in history, the word cocktail referred to a specific type of drink in particular.
If you'll notice by the definition provided above, the original cocktail was a very bare-bones affair. There is no mention of any muddled fruit, nor any expensive imported liqueurs. It was no-frills and to the point, much as one would expect from a drink being consumed over 200 years ago.
This frame of mind is what brought me to come up with one of our latest market cocktails at Bourbon and Branch: The Agave Cocktail.
The Agave Cocktail is a throwback to a style of drink that is not as common as it once was, but is still every bit as delicious and vibrant as it was back in the 1800s.
The Agave Cocktail:
2oz El Jimador Anejo
.25oz Agave Syrup*
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Combine ingredients in mixing glass and stir well.
Strain over the rocks.
Garnish with freshly-grated organic Indonesian Cinnamon.
*To make Agave Syrup, mix one part Agave Nectar to one part warm water and mix well.
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