Fans of AMC’s Mad Men have eagerly anticipated the return of the critically acclaimed series on Sunday, April 13. Considering the show is widely credited for fueling the resurgence of classic cocktails, what better way to celebrate Season 7 of Mad Men than with a drink inspired by one of the characters? Here are a few from some classic hotel bars.
Old Fashioned
Don Draper’s favorite
2 oz. Bourbon
1 Cube of brown sugar
3 Dashes Angostura bitters
Splash of seltzer
In an old fashioned glass, add the sugar and bitters. Muddle together until paste-like, clean off the muddler over the glass with a splash of seltzer. Add one large cube of ice and stir. Garnish with an orange twist and cherry.
Recipe from the Bowery Hotel in New York’s lower East Side.
Trudy’s Revenge
Inspired by Trudy Campbell, long-suffering but newly empowered wife of the ad cad Pete Campbell
2 oz. Glendalough Poitin
¾ oz. Antica Formula sweet vermouth
¼ oz. Maraschino liqueur
Dash of Angostura bitters
Lemon twist for garnish
Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass with ice. Stir well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a twist of lemon.
Recipe from the Jade Hotel in New York’s Greenwich Village.
Queen of Mean
Inspired by fiery vixen Joan Holloway
1 ½ oz. Breuklen wheat whisky
1 oz. Cocktail Crate “Ginger Bee” cocktail mix
1 oz. Red Jacket Fuji apple juice
1 oz. Averell “Damson Gin” liqueur
½ oz. D’Arbo elderflower syrup
¼ oz. Lemon juice
Pour contents in the order above, starting with the whiskey. Add ice to the contents and shake for five seconds. Pour on contents on the rocks into a lowball glass, and garnish with a baked apple chip.
Recipe from Trouble’s Trust at The New York Palace hotel, which has the same address as the Sterling Cooper office on the show.
The Dapper
Inspired by narcissistic ad man Pete Campbell
2 oz. Gentleman Jack whiskey
½ oz. Lime juice
½ oz. Liquefied tarragon
½ oz. Honey simple syrup
Shake all ingredients with ice, strain over fresh ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime twist or wedge.
Recipe from Parker & Quinn restaurant in the Refinery Hotel in New York.
Whisky & Whiskers
Inspired by Sterling Cooper’s art director Stan Rizzo and his impressive beard
½ Orange (using only the peel)
1 Lime (using only the peel)
1 Lemon (using only the peel)
1 oz. Simple syrup
2 oz. Whisky
1 Egg white
Muddle first four ingredients, then add whisky and egg white. Add ice, shake and strain into rocks glass over ice. Add squeeze of lemon. Garnish with sprinkle of ginger-cinnamon powder (moustache).
Recipe from The Waldorf Astoria Chicago.
