Wednesday, March 2, 2016

The Hearn's Cocktail

The Hearn's Cocktail

Irish whiskey makes this drink perfect for St. Pat’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is coming soon. So let’s have a drink!

We can suggest the perfect tipple: The Hearn’s Cocktail, born at the original Waldorf Astoria hotel bar in New York City.

New York was once home to thousands of Irish immigrants, so NYC bartenders knew how to handle Irish whiskey.

Let’s all benefit from their knowledge, and get our Irish on.



The Hearn's Cocktail

Recipe: The Hearn’s Cocktail

The Hearn’s Cocktail—sometimes called The Hearn Cocktail—originally called for equal parts Irish whiskey, sweet vermouth, and absinthe (or a pastis substitute like Pernod), plus a dash of bitters for zest. The result is a drink with heavy anise flavor. A bit too heavy for us, in fact, so we reduced the amount of absinthe in our version.

This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prepare, and serves one.

Ingredients
  • 1 ounce Irish whiskey
  • 1 ounce sweet vermouth (Italian vermouth—the red stuff)
  • ½ ounce absinthe or pastis (the original recipe calls for twice this amount; see Notes)
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters (orange bitters work well too)
  • orange twist for garnish (very optional)
Procedure
  1. Add all ingredients (except garnish) to a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake briskly until well chilled (about 20 seconds).
  2. Strain into a cocktail glass, preferably one that has been chilled. Garnish, if desired, and serve.
The Hearn's Cocktail

Notes
  • Why shake rather than stir this drink? The “rule” says to stir drinks when all the ingredients are clear (because shaking introduces small bubbles, which can make a drink cloudy). But if some ingredients are opaque (citrus juice, for example), then you shake because the cloudiness won’t matter. In this drink, all the ingredients start out looking clear, but absinthe turns cloudy when mixed with other liquids. So you can shake this one. Or stir—it’s really your choice.
  • This drink usually is served without garnish. But if you want to add one, we recommend a twist of orange peel.
  • Feel free to adjust the amount of absinthe in this drink. As noted above, the original recipe called for a full ounce, but we found that overpowering. Some drinkers like to reduce the absinthe even further (using no more than ¼ ounce).
  • This drink traditionally is served “up,” but we also like it on the rocks. When we make it that way, we sometimes increase the amount of absinthe (or pastis). The water from the ice cubes seems to dilute the anise flavor a bit.
  • Absinthe was banned in the US (and much of Europe) for years because one of its ingredients was thought to be psychoactive and addictive. It’s legal again now–and usually quite high proof (100+).
  • We often substitute Pernod (which is a brand of pastis) for absinthe because it’s good quality and widely available. Not to mention cheaper. 
  • There are other good brands of pastis available too. Ask the friendly people at your liquor store for recommendations.
  • BTW, “pastis” is just the generic French name for anise-flavored liqueur that resembles absinthe. It’s generally good stuff.
  • The Waldorf Astoria is a well-known luxury hotel on Park Avenue in midtown Manhattan. The current hotel is a second iteration. The original was actually two different hotels (the Waldorf and the Astoria) that were built side-by-side on Fifth Avenue at 33rd Street. The hotels merged in 1897, but were demolished in 1929 for construction of the Empire State Building, which now stands on the site. That’s when the hotel moved to its current location on Park Avenue.
  • The Hearn’s Cocktail was invented at the original Waldorf Astoria hotel location, probably during the 1920s. 
  • Speaking of the Waldorf: Substitute bourbon for Irish whiskey in the Hearn’s Cocktail and you have the original Waldorf Cocktail—named, of course, after the hotel in which it was invented. (BTW, the Waldorf Cocktail is sometimes called the Brain-Duster. Who knows why.) 
  • So, who was Hearn? And why was this cocktail named after him (or her)? No one really knows. Around the time the drink was created, there was a popular department store in New York City called Hearn’s. Could the drink have been named after the store? Or one of its owners? Beats us. As is the case with so many cocktails, the history of this drink is murky.
  • March 17th is the feast day of Saint Patrick, the best known of Ireland’s patron saints (the others are Saints Brigid and Columba). St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by people of Irish descent around the world. And by those of us who decide to become Irish, at least for the day.
The Hearn's Cocktail

May Your Glass Be Ever Full

“Lots of flavor in this drink,” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “Must be the luck of the Irish.”

“It’s a good one,” I said. “And sure beats green beer.”

“Shall we have another?” said Mrs K R. “We need to toast Eire properly.”

“Absolutely,” I said. “Wouldn’t want to diss St Patrick.”

“Be careful, though,” said Mrs K R. “We don’t want to wind up cavorting like leprechauns.” 

“Or wake up face down in a field of shamrocks,” I said.

“Just remember,” said Mrs K R, eyeing me as I reached for a bottle. “They say that God created whiskey to keep the Irish from ruling the world.”

You may also enjoy reading about:
Irish Coffee
Brainstorm Cocktail
Income Tax Cocktail
Manhattan Cocktail
Algonquin Cocktail
Cocktail Basics
Or check out the index for more

94 comments:

Tricia Buice said...

Oh yes - this is the drink for me! I am a big fan of Jameson and all things Irish :) Love the color too!

Laura Dembowski said...

I could use a cocktail so this is perfect. I'm a big fan of whiskey so it sounds like a great drink!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Tricia, Jameson makes a rather nice whiskey, don't they? And the color on this is wonderful! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, if you're a whiskey lover, this is the drink for you! Thanks for the comment.

Sprigs of Rosemary said...

I'm not big on anise, either; I'll take your advice. I was lucky enough to visit the Jameon distillery last year. Can you believe it? I got a "certified whiskey tester" certificate! Frameable!

~~louise~~ said...

Hi John,
Thanks for the info on pastis. I have never heard of it before and am glad to make its acquaintance:)

As a matter of fact, I'm happy to be introduced to this gorgeous looking cocktail too. I did a quick scan through the Waldorf Astoria Cookbook to see if there was any mention of this drink but unfortunately, there wasn't any mention of it. Doesn't matter though, it sure sounds good to me, lol...

Thanks for sharing, John...

P.S. I was just over at Pam's blog Grey is the New Black where she is celebrating Tipsy Tuesday with a linky. You might want to link this fabulous drink on her blog. Wait until you see her Expresso Maritni while you're there:) I'm sure she won't mind:)
http://www.greyisthenewblack.com/espresso-martini-tipsy-tuesday/

Mae Travels said...

That's a lot of fascinating history in one glassful!

I'm used to Pernod and cold water as a Provencal summer cooler -- no ice, please, we're French, as they might say. So I can't get my head around this as a St.Patrick's day drink, especially since it's not green. But it sounds good.

I have some Pernod because of an Ottolenghi recipe, but I don't keep most bar beverages on hand, so I'm not equipped to make it.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things said...

That lead image is one sweet photo! xx

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rosemary, certified? Lucky you! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Louise, the Waldorf Astoria has a bar book in addition to the cookbook; the drink is in the 1935 edition (well, at least in my electronic reprint of it!). Thanks for the tip about Pam's! And thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, Pernod and water is a wonderful drink! Very refreshing. You'll find absinthe or Pernod in more drinks than you might think, but usually in fairly small quantities. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lizzy, isn't that a pretty drink? Really tasty, too, which is the important thing. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Cheri Savory Spoon said...

What a beautiful drink John, love the color!

Anonymous said...

Does it make a difference if I use Catholic or Protestant Irish Whisky? Or rather Bushmills or Jameson.

Denise Browning said...

Beautiful like a sunshine. Haapy St. Pat's day!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Cheri, isn't the color wonderful? And the flavor is, too! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anonymous, both "Catholic" and "Protestant" Irish whiskey works fine. You might say this is an ecumenical cocktail. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, this is a sunny looking drink, isn't it? Good description! Thanks for the comment.

Vicki Bensinger said...

I've never been much of a whisky drinker but if I were I'm sure I'd love this. What a gorgeous color!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Vicki, this is pretty enough that if you didn't like it, you'd have fun looking at it! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

Wowsers, I like a bit of Irish whiskey but I am huge fan of absinthe. Not something I have often but I love it. I am having a hard time imagining this combo so will have to make it to try. Thanks for sharing John!

GiGi Eats Celebrities said...

Oh my jeeze! St. Patty's day ALREEADDDYYY! Where the heck has the year gone! LOL!

Peachy @ The Peach KItchen said...

Such a pretty drink! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, the flavor of this is really interesting. We like it, a lot, but can see how someone who doesn't like anise wouldn't. But that doesn't sound like you. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, yeah, we're probably rushing the season a bit. But we wanted to give you plenty of time to get in the supplies for this. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Peachy, isn't this great? Thanks for the comment.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Another gorgeous cocktail! And lots of good info in your notes! My hubby would pick the green beer, but I'd prefer to sip on a Hearn's cocktail :)

Kushigalu said...

Love your presentation. Beautiful drink :-)

Cathleen said...

I'm sure you would be a great host for St. Patrick's day! I always know where to go for a good drink recipe ;)

Mother Rimmy said...

We've had a ton of fun getting together with a couple who loves making cocktails. He even has his own martini kit he brings with him to share with the rest of us. I'll definitely share this recipe with him so he can me this Irish drink for my hubby - mom is grew up in Dublin.

Zoe said...

Hi John,

Gosh! Another year has passed and St Pat day is here again! Thanks for introducing another fantastic drink to us!

Zoe

Sue/the view from great island said...

This might just be the thing to cure my husband of his Manhattan obsession~

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, green beer is kinda sorta fun, but I'd take a Hearn's too! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kushi, isn't this nice? And so tasty! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Cathleen, we have more than a few drink recipes, don't we? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kristi, wow, someone who brings his own martini kit! Very impressive. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Zoe, time really speeds along, doesn't it? Always enjoy St. Pat's day -- looking forward to this year's. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sue, this is actually somewhat similar to a Manhattan, but with absinthe. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

Oh I have a friend who would adore this! Love the orange color!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, we like the flavor, but the color is something else, isn't it? Thanks for the comment.

Barb | Creative Culinary said...

I've actually had this relatively obscure cocktail and I agree...less absinthe. I'll have to try it on my own and test your recommendation...thanks!

Fran @ G'day Souffle' said...

St Patrick's Day already- that's my daughter's birthday! It's amazing to think that a lot of the Irish immigrants first coming to New York spoke their own language and didn't understand English. Thanks for the heads up on this nice cocktail!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Barb, this isn't a common cocktail, is it? Pretty good, though -- although you do have to play with the absinthe quantity. At least we did. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Fran,doesn't time fly? Happy (early) birthday to your daughter! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

I'll be in Nicaragua for St Paddy's Day (I doubt they celebrate the holiday there), so I'll save this concoction for my return to Los Angeles. GREG

Maureen | Orgasmic Chef said...

I quite like absinthe but it carries a kick for me so I need to be careful or I'd be dancing on the table. This is much better than green beer - and it's very pretty.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, you can always start a new tradition in Nicaragua. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Maureen, absinthe tends to be pretty high proof, so it definitely delivers a kick. And isn't this pretty? Love its color! Thanks for the comment.

Ala said...

hahaha that punch line though. Gotta love it--hope you two had a bottoms-up good time drinking this!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ala, we had a good time with this drink. :-) Thanks for the comment.

beyondkimchee said...

Gorgeous cocktail, John! I love the orange color. I bet it tastes good.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Holly, isn't the color great? A real stunner. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

I've never tried absinthe. This drink sounds potent and looks delicious!

Jeff the Chef said...

We really need to meet for cocktails sometime. I love your cocktail recipes, and really enjoy your notes.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, if you like anise flavor, you'll probably like absinthe (the flavor is so strong it's always diluted with something else). If you don't, they you won't! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, sounds like fun! Thanks for that very kind comment.

Food Gal said...

I can see why you would reduce the amount of absinthe. That stuff is POTENT. A little goes a long way. And I bet a little bit of the green fairy would be wonderful in such a cocktail.

Dana @ Simply Romanesco said...

I don't think I want to wait for St. Patrick's Day to make this cocktail. I want to make it tonight! This looks too good :)

Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient said...

Sounds like it has some real punch to it!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, absinthe is pretty powerful stuff, isn't it? Good, though. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dana, practice makes perfect, you know, so making this tonight is a terrific idea. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mary, it does have some heft. Although it's a fairly small drink in terms of volume. So don't have too many! Thanks for the comment.

Unknown said...

Great pictures as usual :), happy SP day.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amira, :-) Thanks so much for that kind comment.

Unknown said...

That color is just too pretty for words. Yes, this definitely beats green beer!

Debra Eliotseats said...

This certainly does beat green beer! (Have everything to make this but the absinthe, doh!)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Chris, the flavor of this drink is good, but this is one case where the color is better. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Debra, green beer is fun when you're a kid, but its charm does disappear, doesn't it? Thanks for the comment.

Anne@ASaladForAllSeasons said...

This is a beautiful drink, John! I've yet to try absinthe (I'm afraid!). And though I'm not Irish, I do enjoy a little Irish whisky on St. Patrick's day. And I think this is the way to go this year! Gorgeous photography as always! : )

Beth said...

A great precursor to St. Patrick's Day. No wonder Irish eyes are smiling!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anne, I'd try a pastis (like Pernod) first, before trying absinthe. We DO use absinthe, but use a pastis much more often. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Beth, always enjoy St. Patrick's Day! Particularly the food and drink associated with it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

It certainly does look like there were be lots of flavor in this drink. Interesting ingredients. Absinthe is something I've always wanted to try. Might be time. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, tons of flavor. Tons. :-) Thanks for the comment.

The Surprised Gourmet said...

Looks like the perfect drink for St. Patrick's Day and another other day of the week. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi SG, it is, it is. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Bam's Kitchen said...

Cheers to you John and Mrs Riff! I think that the Irish got it right when it comes to drinks. I think I would only need one and I would be looking for 4 leaved shamrocks in fields...Delicious and beautifully photographed. Sharing!

Juliana said...

Whiskey cocktail...sounds delicious...and look so elegant, indeed perfect for St. Patrick's.
Enjoy your week John :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bam, one of these is really enough. Two at the most. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Juliana, don't you just love whiskey in cocktails? We sure do! And Irish whiskey always seems especially nice. Thanks for the comment.

Gourmet Getaways said...

This looks pretty good, I'm wondering how early is too early for a cocktail :)

Thanks so much for sharing
Julie
Gourmet Getaways

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Julie, this is a good one! And it's never to early. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl said...

Beautiful drink, classy as always! Also, I love all your notes for each drink, it makes me feel a little bit smarter after every reading! :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pamela, we love the color of this! And the flavor too, of course. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Unknown said...

I adore your notes and history behind your drinks, so fascinating. That is such a gorgeous drink. Love it.
xx

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Asha, this really is a pretty drink, isn't it? Lovely to sip, too! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

I love the color of this drink. It sounds like it will be perfect for St. Patrick's Day. Thanks for sharing!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dawn, isn't the color terrific? Such a fun drink! Thanks for the comment.

priya said...

I just love this cocktail and the presentation... I missed this post.. If I meet you so!e days before then this cocktail will be in menu for Hubby's birthday bash

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pirya, this is a good one! Your hubby will like it, a lot. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Claudia said...

I love coming here for cocktail hour. And I have a vague recollection of a Hearns Department store in NYC.... so I am eligible to drink this. Happy St. Patrick's Day! Even if this does make me wake up in a field of shamrocks.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Claudia, sometimes waking up in a field of shamrocks in a good thing! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Terra said...

You have me completely curious now, what an interesting mix of flavors. It looks and sounds fantastic! Take care, Terra

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Terra, fun drink -- definitely worth a try sometime. Heck, it's still basically St. Pat's, so try it this weekend. :-) Thanks for the comment.