19th Century
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 18.7% ABV ∙
The 19th Century is a shaken bourbon sour with white crème de cacao, an aromatized wine such as Lillet Rouge, and fresh lemon juice, served up.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: Bourbon 40 mlWhite Crème de Cacao 20 mlAromatized wine 20 mlLemon juice 20 ml
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express a lemon twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Shake hard with plenty of ice for 12–15 seconds; the cold and the water keep the cacao from tasting too sweet.
- The crème de cacao and Lillet Rouge go in at 20 ml each against 40 ml of bourbon; pour either heavy and the drink turns sweet.
History
The 19th Century is a bourbon-based riff on the Twentieth Century cocktail, a drink of gin, Lillet blanc, white crème de cacao, and lemon juice first published in the Café Royal Cocktail Book in 1937. This variation was created by bartender Brian Miller at the Pegu Club in New York City. It swaps in bourbon for the gin base and uses Lillet Rouge in place of Lillet blanc, giving the drink a darker, richer profile than its namesake.
FAQ
What is in a 19th Century cocktail?
40 ml bourbon and 20 ml each of white crème de cacao, an aromatized wine such as Lillet Rouge, and fresh lemon juice. The bourbon leads, and the cacao and Lillet Rouge add sweetness and a bittersweet, quinine-like edge.
Is a 19th Century cocktail shaken or stirred?
Shaken, hard, for 12-15 seconds with plenty of ice. It has lemon juice in it, and the cold and dilution from a hard shake keep the crème de cacao from tasting too sweet.
What glass is a 19th Century cocktail served in?
A coupe glass, served up with a lemon twist and no ice in the glass.
Is the 19th Century cocktail vegan?
Yes, it is vegan, vegetarian, and lactose-free. It is made only from bourbon, crème de cacao, aromatized wine, and lemon juice, with no dairy or animal products.
