Cars have captured the imagination since they first appeared.
Cars have captured the imagination since the beginning. In 1885 Karl Benz developed and built the first internal-combustion engine car. The following year he received a patient and he has captured imagination ever since. From car racing to the Army Jeep to the variations of the Batmobile, autos have been a topic of fascination. Of course, in honor of it – men named cocktails after them as a double tribute to the toys they love. So here is a way to rev up with these Cadillac cocktails.
While the margarita had been around for ages, the go go 80s meant things had to be bigger, better and flashier. Chain restaurants began adding Cadillac margarita to their menus with substitutions including higher-end tequilas and Grand Marnier. They floored the gas petal on sales and now appear in even the swankiest cocktail lounges.
Ingredients
1 1/2ouncesEl Tesoro Blanco Tequila
1/2ounceNaranja Licor de Naranja
1/2ouncelemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/2ouncelime juice, freshly squeezed
1/2ounceagave syrup
1/2ounceGrand Marnier, to float
Create
Rub the rim of a double Old Fashioned glass with a lime wedge, and dip a quarter of the glass in salt to coat. Set aside
Combine all ingredients except the Grand Marnier in a shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 25 seconds
Double-strain through a fine-mesh sieve into the prepared glass over fresh ice
Float Grand Marnier on top
Sidecar
The OG of car cocktails. This one was created in Paris during World War I. Who doesn’t speeding with a bit of danger? An American army captain named it after the motorcycle sidecar. Since then, it has been an alcohol companion many an evening.
Ingredients
1 1/2ouncescognac
3/4ounceorange liqueur (such as Cointreau)
3/4ouncelemon juice, freshly squeezed
Garnish: orange twist
Create
Coat the rim of a coupe glass with sugar, if desired, and set aside
Add the cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled
What grand automobile has been more associated with glamour, style and money but the Rolls Royce. While the developer of this cocktail is a bit unclear, it first appeared in Harry Craddock’s 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book. While not as popular as the Cadillac, it is a gin lover’s treat.
Ingredients
2½ oz gin
½ oz dry vermouth
½ oz sweet vermouth
heavy teaspoon Bénédictine
1 dash orange bitters – optional
lemon peel for garnish
Create
Chill a mixing glass
Combine ingredients in glass and fill with ice
Stir for 18-25 seconds
Strain into a chilled coupe or stemmed cocktail glass.
Squeen the juice from the lemon peel and garnish
The Monte Carlo
While the first Gran Prix was in Le Mans, Monte Carlo gave it an international glamour. Grabbing headlines and car aficionados all gathered in the tiny principality with automobiles, beautiful women and the azure sea. In the later 1930s, this cocktail sprang to life playing tribute to the race. This is not to confused with the Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Ingredients
2ounces rye whiskey
1/2ounceBenedictine
1dash Angostura bitters
Create
Add rye whiskey, Benedictine and bitters into a mixing glass with ice
Stir for about 30 seconds until well-chilled.
Strain into a chilled rocks glass over a large ice cube.