Monkey gland cocktail 1 dash of absinthe, 1 teaspoonful of grenadine, 12 orange juice, 12 gordon gin. A spirited history of a classic cureall, a new book from brad thomas parsons, will make your kitchen look like an alchemists lab. So popular was voronoffs vitality procedure in the 1920s that it inspired the creation of the monkey gland, a cocktail named for the rather. The complete timeline of when famous cocktails were invented. First published in 1930 in harry craddocks savoy cocktail book with these instructions. The monkey gland is proof that the right name is the key to cocktail fame, and. First, you should click and read through my cocktail history page so your mind can wrap around the history of alcohol and the cocktail. The above ratio is one that prevents the orange juice from deadening the overall flavor of the drink. Classic monkey gland cocktail recipe the spruce eats. Before talking about the background of this wild monkey gland cocktail recipe, here are some other classic gin mixed drink recipes youll love. Oct 20, 2009 the monkey gland cocktail became a fast favorite this summer in the pernod absinthe tasting room at tales of the cocktail 09 in new orleans. There are so few components, yet the final product is far greater than the sum of its parts. July 10, 1866 september 3, 1951 was a french surgeon of russian extraction who, while working in france in the 1920s and 1930s, gained fame for his technique of grafting monkey testicle tissue on to the testicles of men for purportedly therapeutic purposes.
Mar 06, 2019 the monkey gland cocktail recipe has a super interesting history, but the best part is that it tastes great. Macelhone named the cocktail after the work of french surgeon serge voronoff, who claimed his grafting procedure of monkey glands to human reproductive organs increased life expectancy. Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. The monkey gland cocktail interstitial immortality serge voronoff. Pernod absinthe could have gone the truly strong route with raucous drink recipes that played up the strong character of the spirit. This variation on a monkey gland was created by robin miller. There is a good reason for it the story behind the name of this drink is pretty. From the 18thcentury mint julep and eggnog to the prohibitionera hurricane and boulevardier, these classics are just that, classic. The monkey gland is a cocktail which consists of gin, fresh orange juice, absinthe, and grenadine syrup. The monkey gland cocktail may be one of the most often referenced drinks other than the true classics. History cocktail revivalists have long lamented the tendency of the venerable monkey gland to resist palatability.
The monkey gland is a cocktail of gin, orange juice, grenadine and absinthe created in the 1920s by harry macelhone, owner of harrys new york bar in paris, france it is named after the pseudoscientific idea that grafting monkey testicle tissue into humans would increase longevity, the idea developed by the russian doctor serge voronoff. Jun 09, 2011 monkey gland cocktail the cocktail spirit with robert hess. Letters and liquor illustrates the history of lettering associated with cocktails. The monkey glad, a delicious and classic cocktail free. Jan, 2014 the monkey gland cocktail may be one of the most often referenced drinks other than the true classics. Finally, the history of the monkey gland cocktails shares a bit of history with the bloody mary. The monkey gland cocktail became a fast favorite this summer in the pernod absinthe tasting room at tales of the cocktail 09 in new orleans. But this being a cocktail column, lets get back to the libations of the day inspired by dr. In his 1922 harrys abc of mixing cocktails book, harry mcelhone owner of harrys new york bar in paris took credit for the invention of the monkey. This recipe, which swaps gin for whiskey and sweet vermouth for dry, comes straight from his first book. From the sweet mary pickford to the startling monkey gland cocktail, travel back in time and learn the secrets of prohibition cocktails. The history of cocktails is speckled with drinks bearing or baring titillating names, from bosom caresser or monkey gland to slow comfortable screw or slippery nipple.
Veteran vaudevillian billy meyers sang of it in made a monkey out of me, whose lyrics contain an extended double entendre. Scott fitzgeralds wife, zelda, was drinking at the savoy and craddock named the drink after her because she was a platinum blonde. Freshsqueezed orange juice is essential, and a quality grenadinestirrings makes a decent one, though its quite simple to make your ownand an authentic absinthe really make the cocktail come together though a substitute such as herbsaint, pernod or ricard will also. For 14 years, from 19201933 when the 21st amendment passed, the production, sale, and transport of liquor were banned the rules were clear and made to be broken. The monkey gland cocktail interstitial immortality.
Apr 11, 2018 monkey gland invented before 1922 by harry mcelhone. One of the main origin stories of the bloody mary history has its origins at harrys new york bar that is still open and is in paris, france. Obviously that has something to do with the intriguing name and the odd history of the drink. Pdt claims the recipe to come from harry mcelhone, abc of mixing cocktails, all the way back in 1922.
Monkey gland sauce is a restaurant item in south africa. Freshsqueezed orange juice is essential, and a quality grenadinestirrings makes a decent one, though its quite simple to make your ownand an authentic absinthe really make the cocktail come together though a substitute such as herbsaint, pernod or. Some recipes substitute benedictine for the absinthe. Chosen in honor of the year of the monkey, credit for the original invention goes to harry mcelhone, who first mixed this at harrys. Despite its lurid name, the monkey gland is really a relatively light ginandorange cocktail.
The most popular of the corpse reviver cocktails, intended to be a hair of the dog hangover. We just shared a homemade grenadine recipe and i thought it would be fun to also share a classic cocktail that contains grenadine. French 75 invented in 1925 by harry mcelhone at harrys bar in paris. The monkey gland gin, orange juice, absinthe, grenadine. There are two men who claim to have created the monkey gland, harry macelhone of harrys new york bar, paris who, yes, also claimed he created the sidecar and frank. Jim meehan the pdt cocktail book suggests that you use pomegranate molasses in the monkey gland, instead of grenadine. The monkey gland is a cocktail of gin, orange juice, grenadine and absinthe created in the 1920s by harry macelhone, owner of harrys new york bar in paris. The original recipe called for equal amounts of gin and orange juice. Monkey gland invented before 1922 by harry mcelhone. Monkey gland used as a marketing gimmick to increase business, the monkey gland was touted as a way to increase masculine vigor. We have written about macelhone before, and he is the father of many cocktails, chiefly because of his book harrys abc of mixing cocktail s. This is a drink where spending the time and money to get your hands on the right ingredients makes all the difference. The monkey gland is a cocktail of gin, orange juice, grenadine and absinthe created in the 1920s by harry macelhone, owner of harrys new york bar in paris, france. The monkey gland is a delicious combo of gin, grenadine, absinthe and orange juice.
Back in 2004, in his watershed book, vintage spirits and forgotten cocktails, my good friend ted dr. Creating great tasting cocktails at home is easy once you have some recipes. Scofflaw invented in 1924 by jock at harrys bar in paris. The monkey gland credited to harry mcelhone, the famed proprietor of harrys new york bar in paris where the bloody mary originated, the monkey gland is a classic 1920s cocktail that balances. Sure, in the 1920s the term reputable bartender was an oxymoron, but remember this was paris. Thousands of cocktails have been created since the first drink was mixed, but only a few have stood up to the test of time. A subtle twist on harry mcelhones famous monkey gland cocktail, published in harrys abc of mixing cocktails in 1922. Both the monkey gland and the bloody mary were likely invented or have origins in harrys new york bar. Historical references the washington post, 29th april.
After all, mcelhones monkey gland is a delicious classic, built on the daisy modelspirits, citrus, and fruit syrup or liqueurcomplex in both flavor and aroma. Aug 30, 2018 this is a drink where spending the time and money to get your hands on the right ingredients makes all the difference. The monkey gland manages to be refreshing while powerful and complex. The monkey gland cocktail recipe has a super interesting history, but the best part is that it tastes great. The monkey gland was created in april 1923 by frank meier, at the ritz hotel, paris. The monkey gland cocktail was born in paris, quite close to where the monkey gland procedure was also born. Sep 17, 2009 the history of cocktails is speckled with drinks bearing or baring titillating names, from bosom caresser or monkey gland to slow comfortable screw or slippery nipple. The legendary harry macelhone of harrys new york bar crafted the first monkey gland cocktail which probably had more in the way of medical benefits than the procedure. We have written about macelhone before, and he is the father of many cocktails, chiefly because of his book harrys abc of mixing cocktails.
Queen cocktail invented in 1922 in new york by harry craddock. The monkey gland was created by harry macelhone of harrys new york bar in paris. Jan 17, 2014 the monkey gland credited to harry mcelhone, the famed proprietor of harrys new york bar in paris where the bloody mary originated, the monkey gland is a classic 1920s cocktail that balances. Vessel seattle bartender jamie boudreau adapted the selfstarter from harry craddocks recipe in the 1930 savoy cocktail book. The history of the monkey gland cocktail in the 1920s, owner and bartender of harrys new york bar in paris harry macelhone invented the monkey gland cocktail. For many cultures, the naming of something gave it power, substance, and meaning and it is no different for cocktails. Ingredients one dash of absinthe one teaspoonful of grenadine equal parts orange juice and gin. Grenadine adds sweetness to this drink, in addition to providing a nice pink tinge. Now, as far as the monkey gland cocktails history, wild as we described it above, is probably an understatement. Rare would be a potion that actually cut its teeth in the seamy lacebound portals of bordellos. Jan 21, 2018 for 14 years, from 19201933 when the 21st amendment passed, the production, sale, and transport of liquor were banned the rules were clear and made to be broken. The monkey gland cocktail the monkey gland is a bracing mixture of gin and freshly squeezed orange juice, livened up with a jolt of grenadine and a kiss of absinthe. The sweetened combination of gin, orange juice, and grenadine makes a really.
Apr, 2020 the history of the monkey gland cocktail in the 1920s, owner and bartender of harrys new york bar in paris harry macelhone invented the monkey gland cocktail. It only takes a cursory search to determine the drink was originated in the 1920s in paris and that the name is derived from a strange surgical. Monkey gland macelhone named the monkey gland in honor of a surgeon named serge voronoff, who was becoming famous for an operation in which he transplanted monkey testicles into older men to restore their virility. Feb 03, 2016 this variation on a monkey gland was created by robin miller. Ingredients 45 ml dry gin 45 ml fresh orange juice 1 table spoon absinthe 1 table spoon grenadine syrup. Sometimes, the name of the cocktail itself can give us an insight into the most unlikely parts of history. Method pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker, shake well with ice, strain into chilled cocktail glass. Its a little tricky, but if you get the balance of flavor. Its a little tricky, but if you get the balance of flavor right, this classic cocktail with a sordid history that explains its unusual name is phenomenal. Invented by the author, and deriving its name from voronoffs experiments in rejuvenation. And then, for lifes more modest challenges, theres always my new gogo. The name was inspired by serge voronoff, a doctor who made his name whilst working in france in the.
July 10, 1866 september 3, 1951 was a french surgeon of russian extraction who, while working in. Despite its odd name, the monkey gland cocktail is incredibly delicious. The monkey gland cocktail has all the markings of a pr campaign, but it was created by a reputable bartender. Get our free book when you sign up for our newsletter. No classic cocktail book or blog would be complete without the monkey gland. Its an interesting suggestion, if you like pomegranate molasses. Adapted from barflies and cocktails by harry macelhone 1927. The american bar at the savoy hotel in london claims that the white lady was first created there by harry craddock and a recipe for the drink appears in his 1930 the savoy cocktail book. To the modern palate, the standard monkey gland recipegin, some dashed absinthe and raspberry syrup, and a heaping helping of orange juice, justly called by dan chadwick the fruit of cocktail deathregisters as an unbalanced. Macelhone published a book, harrys abc of mixing cocktails, and the cover.
I have yet to try a monkey gland or a scofflaw cocktail, but am infinitely calmer after three glasses of vin blanc cassis and pleased to know it was a henry miller favorite. Created by harry macelhone of harrys new york bar, paris and author of barflies and cocktails. From this wellspring flowed the cocktail that, to my mind, is most associated with prohibition, the monkey gland. Monkey gland cocktail the cocktail spirit with robert hess. The origins of the monkey gland cocktail are a tad cloudy, but thankfully not as lost in time as drinks such as the manhattan or.