Wartime Cocktails: Mixing History and Pleasure in a Glass

Imagine for a second sitting in a dimly lit speakeasy. An old-school jazz tune playing softly in the background, a crystal-clear glass cradling a smooth, amber liquid in your hand. 

There’s a story in that glass, a tale that goes back to a time of war and struggle when cocktails were more than just a fun beverage—they were a symbol of resilience, an escape from reality, and sometimes, a bitter-sweet toast to the ones who didn’t come back.

Our fascination with cocktails has never waned, but did you know that some of our most beloved cocktails came into existence in the grueling times of war? From World War I through Prohibition and onto World War II, humans found solace, hope, and, occasionally, a dash of much-needed liquid courage in these concoctions.

So, let’s journey back in time and explore these iconic wartime cocktails. We’ll delve into their stories and ingredients and even guide you on how to whip up a few of these historical libations right in your home bar.

The Hidden Charm of Wartime Cocktails

These incredible wartime cocktails are not just delicious blends of spirits and mixers. They carry a piece of history within each glass, a testament to the human spirit and its resilience during times of great strife. 

They represent moments of relief, comfort, unity, and sometimes, a defiant joy amidst the turmoil. Each cocktail carries a story as rich and complex as its flavor profile.

The French 75: More Than Just a Cocktail, a Piece of History

The first stop on our journey through the annals of boozy history takes us to the French 75. It is no ordinary cocktail. It shares its name with a French 75mm field gun, a primary piece of artillery used in World War I. 

The cocktail was so potent it felt like being shelled with the infamous gun. It mixes gin (or cognac if you’re feeling old-school), lemon juice, simple syrup, and Champagne. This concoction can make even the most formidable soldier sit up and take notice.

But where did this cocktail come from? It was created in 1915 at the New York Bar in Paris by barman Harry MacElhone. 

The combination of ingredients and the carbonated “kick” from the Champagne made it a favorite among soldiers and war correspondents alike.

What You’ll Need:

• 1.5 oz gin (or cognac, if you prefer)
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 oz simple syrup
• Champagne or a dry sparkling wine
• Lemon twist for garnish

What You’ll Do:

1. Combine the gin (or cognac), lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
2. Shake well until the outside of the shaker feels cold, about 20 seconds.
3. Strain the mixture into a champagne flute.
4. Top off with Champagne or your choice of dry sparkling wine.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.

The Sidecar: A Cocktail with a Kick

Next on our itinerary of wartime cocktails is the Sidecar. It’s a drink that perfectly balances the warmth of cognac with the sharp tanginess of lemon juice, rounded off with the sweetness of orange liqueur. 

It’s a cocktail that was reportedly born during World War I and named after the motorcycle attachment in which an army captain preferred to ride. What an adventurous spirit, right?

The Sidecar has various origin stories. While some attribute its creation to the aforementioned army captain, others believe it first existed in Parisian and London clubs in the early 20th century. 

Regardless of its origins, there’s no denying the enduring popularity of this classic cocktail.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 oz cognac
• 1 oz Cointreau (or any orange liqueur)
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• Lemon twist and sugar for garnish

What You’ll Do:

1. Rim the glass with lemon and then sugar if desired.
2. Combine the cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
3. Shake well until the mixture is chilled, about 20 seconds.
4. Strain the cocktail into your prepared glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve immediately.

El Presidente: A Tribute to the Times

El Presidente takes us on a journey to the late 19th-century Cuban War of Independence. It’s an elegant blend of white rum, orange curaçao, dry vermouth, and a splash of grenadine. 

The drink got its name from the then-president of Cuba, Gerardo Machado, and it perfectly captures the subtle complexities of the time it represents.

Created in Havana, Cuba, this one of the many trendy wartime cocktails during the Prohibition era in the United States, when many Americans traveled to Cuba to enjoy the pleasures of alcohol freely.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz dry vermouth
• 0.5 oz orange curaçao
• One dash grenadine
• Orange twist for garnish

What You’ll Do: 

1. Combine the rum, vermouth, orange curaçao, and grenadine in a mixing glass filled with ice.
2. Stir the mixture until well-chilled, about 20-30 seconds.
3. Strain the cocktail into a chilled coupe glass.
4. Garnish with an orange twist and serve immediately.

The Hanky Panky: A Gin-ius Invention

Moving onto the Hanky Panky, a drink as delightful as its name. It’s a special one, invented by Ada Coleman, the head bartender at The Savoy’s American Bar in London during the early 20th century. 

With a base of gin, a complement of sweet vermouth, and a dash of Fernet-Branca to add a layer of complexity, it’s a cocktail that effortlessly charms the senses.

The Hanky Panky is a testament to the creativity and skill of Ada ‘Coley’ Coleman, one of the first women to make a name in the world of mixology when it was predominantly a man’s domain.

What You’ll Need:

• 1.5 oz gin
• 1.5 oz sweet vermouth
• Two dashes Fernet-Branca
• Orange twist for garnish

What You’ll Do:

1. Pour the gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet-Branca into a mixing glass filled with ice.
2. Stir well until the mixture is well-chilled, about 20 seconds.
3. Strain the cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Twist the orange peel over the glass to release its oils, then drop it as a garnish.

The Aviation: A Flight of Fancy

Last on our list of wartime cocktails is the Aviation, a drink that takes us back to the pioneering days of flight and the era of World War I. 

This drink is a divine blend of gin, lemon juice, maraschino liqueur, and the elusive crème de violette. The latter gives the cocktail its signature sky-blue color and a unique flavor profile that leaves you soaring.

The Aviation is a classic pre-Prohibition cocktail that has seen a resurgence in recent years. It represents an era of innovation and progress, perfectly captured in its adventurous flavor profile.

What You’ll Need:

• 2 oz gin
• 0.5 oz maraschino liqueur
• 0.25 oz crème de violette (optional)
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• Cherry for garnish

What You’ll Do:

1. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette (if using), and lemon juice.
2. Shake well until the mixture is chilled, about 20 seconds.
3. Strain the cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a cherry and serve immediately.

A Final Toast to History

Each of these wartime cocktails offers an irresistible mix of flavors and a glimpse into our shared past. They symbolize the resilience of the human spirit, our capacity for joy and unity even in the face of adversity.

So the next time you mix up a cocktail, remember, you’re not just creating a drink. You’re bringing history to life, one delicious sip at a time.