Knickerbocker

Patrick Spears / Supercall
Patrick Spears / Supercall

Made with St. Croix rum and a homemade raspberry cordial, the Knickerbocker is one of the oldest American cocktails (the other being the Sherry Cobbler). The first time the drink appeared in print was in Jerry Thomas’ Bon Vivant’s Companion in 1862. At the time, a “Knickerbocker” was a nickname used to refer to wealthy Dutch New Yorkers. Though originally a derogatory term - based on Washington Irving’s satirical book A History of New-York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, by Diedrich Knickerbocker - the Dutch ultimately adopted the moniker as their own. The so-called Knickerbockers were known as extravagantly wealthy gourmands, with hedonistic tendencies and a thirst for good drinks. We have their love of imbibing to thank for this colonial ur-tiki drink.

Knickerbocker

FLAVOR PROFILE
Sweet, Sour
STRENGTH
DIFFICULTY
easy

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 oz Rum
  • 0.75 oz Lime Juice
  • 0.5 oz Raspberry Liqueur
  • 0.5 oz Curaçao
  • Fresh Berries (For Garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS

Step one

Add all ingredients except garnish to a shaker tin. Add ice and shake.

Step two

Using a Hawthorne strainer, strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice.

Step three

Garnish with fresh berries on a toothpick laid across the top of the glass.

Contributed by Supercall