Twilight Cocktail

I found this gem in Thomas Bullock's 1917 book, "The ideal bartender". Tom worked at the St. Louis Country Club for 25 years as was very highly regarded in the area. 

His book was dedicated "To those who enjoy snug club rooms, that they may learn the art of preparing for themselves what is good."

Here's the "Twilight Cocktail".

TWILIGHT COCKTAIL (Thomas Bullock, 1917)

Use a large Mixing glass with Lump Ice.
1 jigger Bourbon.
½ pony Italian Vermouth.
Juice of whole Lime.

Shake well; strain into a Champagne glass; fill with Seltzer and serve.

My adaptation:

TWILIGHT COCKTAIL

2 ounces (60 ml) bourbon

1 ounce (30 ml) Italian (sweet) vermouth

1 ounce (30 ml) lime juice

sparkling water

Shake well and strain into a flute champagne glass, fill with sparkling mineral water, garnish with orange twist.

This one certainly tastes much better than it looks! It's basically a Manhattan sour, and not exactly what I would call a beginner drink. If you enjoy your Manhattans and the sour family on their own, this should be worth a try.

I went with a bold 107 proof bourbon in the "Old Rip Van Winkle 107" to go with the sweet Carpano Antica vermouth and sour lime juice. This is a dry drink to be sure, but somehow refreshing. At twilight, after a hot day on the links this would indeed be a welcome libation.

This drink was in honor of the spectacular twilight in Boulder this evening.