Bronx Cocktail

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PREP TIME 5 min

Cocktail Type

Martini

Great for

Summer

Difficulty

Easy

Refreshing orange Bronx cocktail in martini glass

As is the case with many cocktails, the story about the origin of the Bronx Cocktail recipe is a little bit murky. The most accepted version of this cocktail’s history is that it was created by Johnnie Solon back in the early 1900s. He worked as a bartender at the famous Astoria-Waldorf Hotel and created this aperitif cocktail after visiting the Bronx Zoo in New York.  

Oh, and here’s a fun fact (if it ever comes up at pub quiz): Apparently, Solon didn’t actually drink alcohol. Like, not even a drop. But, he was somehow insanely good at making cocktails. Hats off to you, Johnnie-boy! Don’t know how you did it! 

What is the Bronx Cocktail?

Have you ever tasted a Perfect Martini mixed with equal parts sweet and dry vermouth? If you have, and you liked it, it’s good to know that the Bronx Cocktail is a pretty cool spin-off of this. But, thanks to the added orange juice and bitters, this version has some serious summertime vibes. To make the Bronx drink, you’re going to shake together gin, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, fresh orange juice, and bitters.  

And let’s be clear. We’re not talking just any vermouth. ‘Ya gotta get the quality stuff!’ (Insert best Bronx accent here). Our version of the Bronx cocktail uses Cinzano Vermouth Rosso and Cinzano Vermouth Extra Dry. And for an extra citrusy flavor, we chose O’ndina Gin. It’s infused with orange and creates a more citrus-forward drink. Quality ingredients make all the difference.  

Strained and served in a chilled martini glass, it’s an impressive summertime cocktail that looks and tastes the part. 

This citrus and vermouth martini is best served as a pre-dinner drink. Alternatively, mix it up a little and serve Bronx Cocktails instead of the usual Mimosa business at brunch.  

Why Vermouth matters

Why? Because we use a lot of it in cocktail-making. Like a lot, a lot. And this aromatized fortified wine is more complex than you might think.  

You’ll find vermouth in either sweet or dry versions. Both varieties get a good infusion of herbs and spice flavors. First up is dry vermouth, hailing from France. Don’t let the light, sweet smell fool you. When it comes to its taste, dry vermouth is bitter, herbal, and as dry as the French. And that’s precisely what you want when shaking up a batch of perfect martinis.  

The second important vermouth to know about is the sweet kind, proudly brought to you by Italy. Our favorites (shamelessly) are Cinzano  Vermouth Rosso and Cinzano Vermouth Bianco. We love the Rosso for its smooth and slightly sweet taste and creamy caramel hints that round off perfectly with a botanical bitterness. On the other hand, the Bianco has a lovely white peach and floral blossom character with hints of vanilla and thyme and a bittersweet finish.  

For a cocktail where sweet vermouth plays a starring role, try the Negroni or Manhattan. You can also enjoy it with a splash of soda served on the rocks before dinner. 

Sweet vermouth and dry vermouth combined in a cocktail create absolute magic. It keeps the cocktail perfectly balanced, ensuring that it’s not too dry and not too sweet. And that’s why it works so well as an essential part of the Bronx cocktail ingredients. 

The Bronx Cocktail recipe

OK, now that we’ve covered pretty much everything you need to know about the Bronx Cocktail ingredients, let’s get on with the recipe.

QUICK TIPS

01

Keep your vermouth in the fridge —and once opened, use it within a month.   

02

You can use dry vermouth instead of white wine in cooking. Just use a little less if you’re nervous that the taste might overpower the dish. Bon appetit! 

03

For a lighter version of this gin-based cocktail, serve it in a highball glass filled with ice and topped with either club soda or tonic water.  

04

To chill your martini glasses, place it in the freezer for about 30 minutes before serving.

INGREDIENTS

MAKE FOR

1 Person

2 Oz

60 Ml

2 Parts

0.25 Oz

7.5 Ml

0.25 Parts

0.25 Oz

7.5 Ml

0.25 Parts

1 Oz

30 Ml

1 Parts

Freshly squeezed orange juice
A few drops of orange bitters
An orange peel twist for garnish
Ice

INSTRUCTIONS

01

Add all the ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker

02

Pop on the lid and shake it up until icy cold (or around 30 seconds)

03

Strain into a chilled martini glass and serve immediately

Food pairing for the Bronx Cocktail

When it comes to food pairings, this classic aperitif cocktail leaves a lot of room to play around with. Serve this classic aperitif cocktail with tacos, kebabs, curried chicken bites, spicy Indian-style canapés, red meat dishes, or even a platter of strong cheese, fruits, and meat.  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Bronx cocktail comes in at almost 18% ABV, which is similar to one glass of wine.  

The Bronx Cocktail was invented in the early 1900s in New York at the Astoria Waldorf Hotel by Johnnie Solon - a bartender at this famous establishment.  

For a less concentrated taste, you can mix up the Bronx Cocktail to make it low-proof by serving it in an ice-filled highball glass topped with soda or tonic water. A similar cocktail to the Bronx drink is the Will Rogers which is made with gin, dry vermouth, fresh orange juice, and orange curaçao. 

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