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Cocktail History
The Florodora is a classic cocktail that is believed to have been created in the early 1900s at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The recipe, which traditionally mixes dry gin with lime, raspberry, simple syrup, and ginger ale, was named for six gorgeous dancers known as the Florodora Sextette who were the opening act in the Edwardian Broadway show of the same name.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Ginger Ale: This is a carbonated soft drink flavored with ginger. I used Canada Dry Ginger Ale.
Gin: This is a spirit made with juniper berries, botanicals, and alcohol. I used Highclere Castle London Dry Gin.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid juice of a lime. I used freshly squeezed lime juice.
Raspberry Syrup: This is a sweetener made with raspberries, white sugar, citric acid, and water. I made mine using this sous vide recipe.
Simple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with white sugar and water. I made mine using this stovetop recipe.
Lime Slice: This is a slice of lime that has been cut into a half wheel shape.
Raspberries: This is a small pink fruit. I used fresh raspberries.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Muddler: This is used to muddle ingredients. I used the HQY Stainless Steel Cocktail Muddler.
Boston Shaker: This is used to shake ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Hawthorne Strainer: This is used to strain out ice and solid ingredients after the cocktail is shaken. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. I used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Cocktail Pick: This is used to hold the garnish. I used one from the I-MART Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Bright pink color
• Aroma: Lime and ginger
• Taste: Sweet raspberry and fizzy ginger flavor balanced with gin botanicals and citrus
• Finish: Ginger spice and slightly bitter berry
Kendall’s Take: “I’m definitely adding this cocktail to my list of favorite simple drinks for spring and summertime! I had never heard of the Florodora before this tasting, and I’m not sure how because it is absolutely fabulous, especially for those with more undeveloped palates like mine. Its mix of sweet-tart flavors mask the sometimes overpowering botanicals of gin, and the ginger ale is a nice, light touch to help stretch out the drink for longer sipping. I personally have come to love gin in just about any cocktail, but if you don’t usually care for it, trying this recipe is a great way to introduce it to your palate because the flavor is so subtle.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Essential Cocktail Book: A Complete Guide to Modern Drinks by the editors of PUNCH and Megan Krigbaum.
Florodora
Description
The Florodora is a classic cocktail that is believed to have been created in the early 1900s at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The recipe, which traditionally mixes dry gin with lime, raspberry, simple syrup, and ginger ale, was named for six gorgeous dancers known as the Florodora Sextette who were the opening act in the Edwardian Broadway show of the same name.
Ingredients
Method
Add five raspberries, raspberry syrup, and simple syrup to a shaker.
Using a muddler, gently muddle raspberries in raspberry syrup and simple syrup for 5-7 seconds.
Add gin and lime juice to shaker.
Fill shaker with cubed ice.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Fill a highball glass with fresh cracked ice.
Using a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer, strain into highball glass.
Top with ginger ale.
Garnish with lime slice and two raspberries.
