Best Cocktail Series: The Rebirth of the Old-School Cocktail

Perhaps it is the uncertainty of our world or just the success of Mad Men , but there is a renewed fascination with all things vintage. In much the same way as people seek out the vintage in other aesthetics, they are seeking vintage flair in entertaining. Old-school cocktails are enjoying a resurgence. Here are the top five must-have cocktails to make your next party retro-chic.

1. Sloe Gin Fizz: This is a beautiful drink with a huge head of foam if shaken really well. It uses sloe gin, a blackthorn plum-infused spirit. Many sloe gins sold in the US have been overly sweet, resulting in a decline in the spirit's popularity; however Plymouth and some other British distillers are bringing higher quality sloe gins back. Some sloe gin fizz recipes call for all sloe gin with the mixers, while others call for half and half sloe gin and regular gin. If going for this option I would definitely go for a clean gin like Bombay Sapphire which doesn't have a strong herbal flavor that would fight the sweetness of the sloe gin. The sloe gin is then mixed with lemon juice, sugar (or simple syrup), and club soda. A variation also includes an egg white. A further variation called the Ramos gin fizz also includes cream and orange flower water. For those who like fruity drinks but don't necessarily want to look like you're on a cruise, this will suit your taste and still look respectable.

2. Sidecar: This is a classic cocktail created in either Paris or London, depending on which bartender's tale you believe, around the end of the first World War. It is made with cognac, orange liqueur (like Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or another triple-sec), and lemon juice. The proportions vary according to different recipes and different tastes. It is traditionally served in a martini glass with a sugared rim and a lemon twist for garnish. It is said that the Sidecar was created to evoke the flavor of a daquiri, but with brandy or cognac in place of the rum. A lovely alternative to the ubiquitous martini.

3. Old-fashioned: This is a truly old-fashioned cocktail, dating from the early 19th century. The old-fashioned is fairly simple to make, though, as its age might suggest, there are many opinions as to the "right" or perfect Old-fashioned. It is made by muddling a lump of sugar with two dashes of Angostura bitters, then adding a bit of ice, a lemon twist, and a jigger of whiskey (again, there are many opinions here--bourbon, scotch, or rye predominating). It is generally garnished with an orange wedge and a cherry and served in, you guessed it, an old-fahioned glass, named for the drink. Simple and classic.

4. Rusty Nail: Very simple and very delicious, this manliest of cocktails mixes scotch with Drambuie, a scotch-based liqueur, on the rocks. While many recipes call for a 1:1 ratio of whiskey to liqueur, this makes for a very sweet drink. Experiment with combinations to find the right level of sweetness for you. Served in an old-fashioned glass with no garnish, this is as straight-shooting as a cocktail can be. Be sure and use a good quality scotch for the very best taste--Dewar's 12 is my preference.

5. Zombie: As its name suggests, this drink is not for the faint of heart, but it is a gorgeous and fun drink if handled with care. The Zombie was invented at Hollywood's Don the Beachcomber restaurant, which imposes a two Zombie limit on customers. Equal parts white, golden, and dark rum are added to an equal amount of apricot brandy, pineapple and papaya juice with a dash of grenadine. Shake this all together and pour into a tall glass over ice, then add 1/2 part of 151 proof rum as a topmost layer. This topping of extra-strength rum can be lit on fire if you wish for a really gorgeous and fun effect. Garnish with a cherry and serve with the number to a cab company.

Next time you are having friends over, why not forego the cooler full of beer and serve one of these fun and elegant cocktails instead? They are sure to make you the hostess with the mostest.

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