Take a relaxing journey this weekend with the sophisticated, spiced and sweet Cable Car cocktail.
I hear the words “cable car” and my nerdy brain starts thinking of movies like Moonraker or Where Eagles Dare, and the taut and exciting action sequences that take place high up in the mountains on a cable car. Whether Clint Eastwood is battling for his life in the Alps, or James Bond is fighting the large, metal-mouthed henchman Jaws high above Rio, I can’t get enough of thrilling stories that take the audience off the ground and into a suspended gondola.
And here’s where I got confused about the name of tonight’s cocktail, the Cable Car. My mind assumed it was in reference to the aerial lift systems that are often found at ski resorts, but the cabins themselves are referred to as “gondolas”. So if we’re speaking about a single cable car, that would be the rail car transit system vehicles that service San Francisco, California.
And the Cable Car cocktail’s name was inspired by those classic and iconic trollies. A more contemporary tipple, this beverage was invented in 1996 at the Starlight Room in Frisco, by respected mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim. Not only were the cable cars that rumbled past the bar an impetus in this cocktail’s creation, but the classic concoctions, the Sidecar and Brandy Crusta, as well, with this version being a spiced and sweeter take.
So you can relax while sipping on this Cable Car, since it’s a little lower to the ground.
What is the best alcohol to use in a Cable Car cocktail?
When one is in the mood for a Cable Car cocktail, one must have a fine spiced rum and orange curaçao to mix with. While we’ve spoken at great length about blue curaçao here before and many of the cocktails it’s made with, the orange style doesn’t get mentioned as often. Both are citrus-based, distilled from the bitter laraha fruit, but the blue variety is dyed for visual appeal while the orange is often clear in color. For the rum, there are so many great bottles to choose from when shopping. For this recipe, I chose to go with a strong and ever-reliable higher proof Sailor Jerry. Chairman’s Reserve is also excellent and has a more complex flavor profile, which works beautifully in the full-bodied Cable Car.
Ingredients
- 1 lemon wedge for the rim
- 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar mixed with a pinch of ground cinnamon for the rim
- 1 1/2 ounces spiced rum
- 1 ounce orange curaçao
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- An orange or lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- Rub the rim of a chilled coupe glass with the lemon wedge. Dip the rim into the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Set aside.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the spiced rum, orange curaçao, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake well and double strain into the prepared glass. Garnish with an orange or lemon twist and serve immediately.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Chill a coupe in your freezer for around 30 minutes, then line the rim with the sugar/cinnamon mixture. When your drink is poured in, garnish with either a lemon or orange twist.
Why are some cocktails double-strained?
Double straining a shaken cocktail ensures each sip you take will be silky, smooth and devoid of any minuscule ice chips.
Similar drinks to the Cable Car cocktail
The sweet and tart refinement of the Cable Car has made you feel a tad haughty, almost regal. And as you sip on its citrusy charms, you wonder aloud to those around you if another libation as luxurious and full of poise as this one exists. Then a close friend tells the room of the convenience, nay the brilliance of Twist & Toast, and the unforgettable and classic recipes you can find there. Here, take a gander.
- El Presidente – This sleek cocktail is crisp, tropical and full-bodied.
- Mary Pickford – Crafted in Cuba to celebrate America’s Sweetheart and silent movie icon.
- Golden Cadillac – Celebrate those special moments with this creamy and potent concoction.
- Between the Sheets – This suggestive and tart tipple is a fun way to spend an evening.
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