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Hoffman House

Classic/vintage · Martini-style · Spirit-forward

3.8 10 ratings

Ingredients

2 1/2 oz Gin
1/2 oz Dry vermouth
2 dash Orange bitters

How to make

Serve in a coupe glass

Prepare

  1. 1 Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist.

Method

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

Garnish

  1. 5 EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour profile

27.4% alc./vol. · 1.9 standard drinks · 183 calories

History

A 5:1 Martini with orange bitters.

The Hoffman House cocktail was considered the signature drink at Manhattan's Hoffman House in the 1880s. However, Charles S. Mahoney, the head bartender, did not include a "Hoffman House Cocktail" in his 1905 book, The Hoffman House Bartender's Guide. This omission casts doubt on the claim, especially since the book features a "Hoffman House Recipes" section that lists a "Hoffman Highball", "Hoffman Highball", Hoffman House Cooler", "Hoffman Morning Bracer", Hoffman House Fizz", "Hoffman House Old Fashioned Whiskey Cocktail", and a "Hoffman House Punch". Evidence supporting its status as the house cocktail is cited by barrypopik.com and others, referencing an "Appetizing Drinks" column from the 18 September 1892 New York Herald (pg. 14, col. 6). The article quotes Mr. William Henry Dugay, known as "Billy," who had been a bartender at the Hoffman House for about ten years. He stated: "The Hoffman House cocktail is a favorite morning beverage with the regular patrons of the hostelry and with no one more so than Mr. Stokes, the proprietor. It is simply made and therefore highly recommended for home manufacture. This is the recipe:-Two dashes of Bonecamp bitters, two dashes of Italian vermouth, sherry glass of Holland gin" no sweetening. Stir in ice until very cold. However, a search of the online archives of the New York Herald and other newspapers from September 1892 has not corroborated this quotation. [If you have a link to verify it, please send it.] Much of the Hoffman House cocktail's fame stems from its inclusion in Harry Craddock's influential 1930 book, The Savoy Cocktail Book. HOFFMAN HOUSE COCKTAIL. 2 Dashes Orange Bitters. ⅓ French Vermouth. ⅔ Plymouth Gin. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass. Squeeze lemon peel on top.