Cocktail: Big Apple's stolen gem

20 May 2015 - 02:13 By Barry Clausen

"New York City has a long tradition of asserting ownership of things it did not invent," writes David Wondrich, a leading cocktail historian and writer. The Statue of Liberty came from France, pizzas came from Naples, skyscrapers from Chicago and the cocktail from Britain."If New Yorkers see a good idea they don't borrow, they take," continues Wondrich; and cocktails weren't just a good idea, they were an essential addition to the New York lifestyleThe New York Sour probably started life as the Southern Whiskey Sour in the 1880s, but by 1900 it was given the key to the city and the name by which it is known and loved. Kgomotso Ndaba of The Landmark cocktail bar shares his recipe:THE NEW YORK SOUR50ml Woodford Reserve Bourbon25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice2 dashes of Angostura bitters15ml egg whiteShake well with ice in a Boston tin. Strain. Then remove the ice and shake again (a reverse dry shake).Pour over a rock of ice into a whisky glass and let the egg white foam to the top.Carefully trickle a float of merlot over a mixing spoon and squeeze the zest of a lemon peel over the cocktail. Garnish with a dried rose bud and a twist of lemon rind. The Landmark is on the corner of William Nicol and Ballyclare roads, Johannesburg, 011-463-5081..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.