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Dempsey

Aperitivo/aperitif · Classic/vintage · Martini-style

3.8 26 ratings

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Ingredients

1 1/2 oz Calvados apple brandy
3/4 oz Gin
1/6 oz Grenadine syrup
1/24 oz Absinthe

How to make

Serve in a nick & nora glass

Prepare

  1. 1 Select and pre-chill a NICK & NORA GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of skewered Luxardo Maraschino Cherry.

Method

  1. 3 STIR all ingredients with ice.
  2. 4 FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. 5 Garnish with skewered cherry.

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Flavour profile

30.0% alc./vol. · 1.6 standard drinks · 180 calories

History

Grenadine affects colour from blush pink to pale, and also the flavour. Balance is key: absinthe tamed by grenadine yet still assertive makes a delightful, spirituous aperitif.

The Dempsey Cocktail is featured in Robert Vermeire's 1922 book, Cocktails How to Mix Them. It also appears in Harry MacElhone's Harry's ABC of Mixing Cocktails from the same year, and his 1923 book, Harry of Ciro's ABC Of Mixing Cocktails. Both MacElhone's publications credit "Fred. Martin, Casino, Deaville, 1922" with its creation, while Vermeire states "this drink was introduced at Deauville, 1921." The Casino Barrière de Deauville, built in 1912, is a grand establishment in Normandy, France, known for its gaming, opulent chandeliers, and marble. The cocktail's name and Vermeire's account refer to the "Fight of the Century" on 2nd July 1921. This boxing match, held at Boyle's Thirty Acres in Jersey City, USA, saw world heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey knock out world light-heavyweight champion Georges Carpentier in the fourth round. It was the first boxing event to generate $1,000,000 dollars in revenue. Dempsey Cocktail Fill the shaker half full of broken ice and add: 2 dashes of Absinthe 1 teaspoon of Grenadine 1/6 gill of Gin 2/6 gill of Calvados Shake well and strain into cocktail-glass. This drink was introduced at Deauville, 1921, after Dempsey's victory over Carpenter. Dempsey Cocktail. ⅔ Calvados, ⅓ Gin, 2 dashes Grenadine, 1 dash Anis del Osa. (Recipe by Fred. Martin, Casino, Deauville, 1922.)

Created by Fred Martin