the Knickerbocker

Friday, January 21, 2011

In early New York, two very different kinds of people shared the small island of Manhattan: puritanical New Englanders nicknamed "Yankees", and Anglo-Dutch and French bluebloods, who adopted the term "Knickerbockers". Since Yankees were big on self-denial and the Knickerbockers big on parties, it's no great surprise that a cocktail was named in the bon vivants honor. While there's no way of knowing just who invented this cocktail, it was included in the very first cocktail book, Jerry Thomas' Bon Vivant's Companion, published in 1862. The drink is singularly delicious, and sure to have you dreaming of warmer days!


The Knickerbocker

1 1/2 oz of rum
3/4 oz of freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus extra for rimming
1/2 oz of raspberry syrup
1/2 oz of curacao
granulated sugar
raspberries

First, dip the rim a cocktail glass in lemon juice, then cover with granulated sugar. Combine rum, lemon juice, raspberry syrup and curacao in a cocktail shaker with ice; shake for no more than 10 seconds. Strain into rimmed cocktail glass, and garnish with 2 or 3 raspberries.


Notes: A Knickerbocker calls for gently aged rum; the 8 year Barbancourt is a perfect choice. No need to use anything too heavy, or the raspberry flavor will be lost to liquor.

I've praised Jen's Small Hand Foods syrups before, and I'm sure this won't be the last time. If you can't get your hands on her divine raspberry gum syrup, mix up your own using this New York Times recipe, vetted by our staff cocktail guru.


Have a wonderful weekend, darlings! Tell us, what are you big (or small) plans?


P.S. Just one more day to enter our very first giveaway! I'll be picking a random winner at 12 pm PST, and I would love to hear what your best piece of relationship advice is!

20 comments:

  1. ooh, sounds yummy! I'm going to be starting on some homework this weekend. And getting my glasses fixed. And cleaning my house. Try your hardest not to be jealous. haha! Hope you have a good one.

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  2. mmmm....I want to try this drink! is it sad that it's only 11:30 and that's what I'm saying??

    no big plans for the weekend...looking forward to a date with the hubby (if he can ever get home!) and staying cozy with all this snow!

    hope you have a fantastic weekend, my dearest Lena! xoxo {av}

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  3. would you believe it, but not a whole lot! yet again a friend has cx.. boo. So maybe Ill practice this cocktail and stay in lol! have a nice weekend!

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  4. This drink sounds delicious, i must try it! Of course i could always wait for my trip to New York but since i don't have a date it's more easy to try it here!! As far as the weekend goes... i need to start planning my trip to New Zealand, next month ;) Have a nice weekend!

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  5. o wow, i love the color of this drink :) it sounds like it tastes good too...
    i hope you have a lovely weekend. i have low-key plans but i am excited to relax, hang out with the girls and watch sunday football with the bf. oxox jcd

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  6. delicious! it would be perfect for me to start my weekend with a knickerbocker!!! cheers!

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  7. I love your Friday cocktail posts. LOVE. Saturday night we have a babysitter for Little Dude and are going out for dinner and drinks. Purr. Hope you have a great one!

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  8. Yummmm..sounds delish! I may even have to blog about it :)

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  9. ooh this sounds delicious and looks so pretty too

    Isabel @ Walk of Fashion

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  10. That sounds wonderful. Plus it's one of my nicknames ;)

    I'm possibly going eagle watching this weekend. We'll see!

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  11. Well..what WASP doesn't love Rum and who doesn't love a Bon Vivant!!!

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  12. I wish I could drink right now, though my craving is more along the lines of water, as I'm having trouble keeping even that down (horrific stomach virus, blech). I'll be spending my weekend recovering! xoxo.

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  13. I don't drink alcohol but I must say that it is the prettiest drink I have ever seen!

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  14. Hi darling!! This could be perfect for one of my parties-to-come!
    Adore this color!! Is this enough to have this drink??? I guess it is!
    Love.
    Laura@RicevereconStile

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  15. Sounds yum & special!!
    Weekend = tea demo with the hubby & football, go Bears! :)
    Have a lovely one!

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  16. GAHHHH LOVE your drink recipes. love love love. especially because over here, our cocktails are mostly...rum...diet coke...tap-water ice and the like...in a plastic drive-through cup.

    okay, actually it's mostly beer and $5 bottles of wine. but i want to try some more glam...more drinks...more colors to our liquor bar.

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  17. ps i tagged you in a post on my blog, play along if you'd like! xo jcd - http://cornflakedreams.blogspot.com/

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  18. mmm yum, i want a knickerbocker!

    http://adorablydeliciouslp.blogspot.com/

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  19. yum! i love learning about classics that i've never heard of! this looks so so good!

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A Crimson Kiss – Timeless Events and Classic Cocktails by Ana Degenaar : Blogger