Famous before Henry was, here is The Ford Cocktail:
- 1 ounce Old Tom Gin (Hayman’s Old Tom Gin recommended)
- 1 ounce dry vermouth
- 3 dashes Bénédictine
- 3 dashes orange bitters
Stir well with finely cracked ice, and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
Okay, to be honest, I wasn’t in the mood for a gin drink when I made this, but I have a small amount of OCD and I wanted to remove the last place in the index where I had three untried recipes in a row.
Mission accomplished.
This cocktail dates from 1895, and it seems like a vermouth heavy martini at first glance. I was determined to hate it but I was surprised at how good it was. This was the first time I’d tried Old Tom Gin and I liked it – a bit sweeter than London dry but not too sweet. I think it is the Bénédictine and bitters that give this drink its special twist, and it is interesting how small details can greatly affect the character of a cocktail.
Rating: 3/5 – it’s a strong three but I couldn’t quite give it a four as I wouldn’t turn it down but I wouldn’t seek it out.
Notes: I used Hayman’s Old Tom Gin as recommended, Dolin Dry vermouth and Angostura orange bitters.