Floradora Cocktail

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

The lights and glamour of Broadway come to life with every sip of the Floradora cocktail.

Here’s an odd memory to start this piece, but my brain is my brain, and there’s nothing I can do about that. As a kid growing up in the 1980s, I LOVED the Rambo movies starring Sylvester Stallone. The first one still holds up, but the other two from that era… Well, let’s just say nostalgia casts a long shadow. Anyway, in the second Rambo movie, First Blood: Part II, Sly shoots an explosive-tipped arrow at one of the bad guys, who then promptly explodes. There’s nothing left, it seems, except the man’s boots. At least that’s what my friends and I thought we saw when the smoke cleared.

What’s the point, you may ask? And what does exploding arrows have to do with a mixed drink? Well, tonight’s recipe took its inspiration from a popular Broadway musical that was quite the phenomenon at the turn of the 20th century, but now in the 21st, whenever this beverage is ordered or enjoyed, how many folks reflect on the show that was responsible for its creation? Probably not too many. When the smoke of history clears and dissipates, what is left is a cold and refreshing cocktail. Not exactly the same as a pair of footwear left behind after their owner blows up in a massive fireball, but like I mentioned earlier, my thought process does its own thing.

The Floradora was invented in New York City sometime around 1900, and it was made to celebrate and honor the long-running and successful musical of the same name. This pink and fruity pre-Prohibition libation is said to have taken its inspiration from the gorgeous and radiant chorus line of beauties in the show, known as The Floradora Girls.

There’s a story that one of these young ladies asked a bartender at an after-show party to create a drink for her, and the resulting concoction was the Floradora. Whether there is any truth to this is up for debate. One thing is certain though… The Floradora still stands.

What is the best gin to use in a Floradora Cocktail?

While you can choose any number of styles of gin to craft this recipe with, there is one particular spirit that I think thematically fits with what we’re making. Hendrick’s has a whole line of limited edition gins, often infused with all manner of curious and interesting botanicals. One of these is called Flora Adora, which is a gin that is lighter on the usual juniper and leans a little more toward fragrant and floral ingredients, like rose, hibiscus and jasmine. With a rich, perfumy bouquet, this gin is enhanced by the lime juice, raspberry and spiced notes from the ginger beer.

What glassware and garnish are used?

Fill a highball or collins glass to the brim with ice, double-strain your mixture in and top with a bubbly ginger beer of your choice. Garnish with a lime wedge and some fresh raspberries, skewered on a cocktail sword.

Can you use raspberry liqueur instead of syrup?

If you’d like a slightly boozier beverage, you can opt to use a raspberry liqueur, like Chambord, instead of a flavored syrup.

Similar cocktails to the Floradora

One of my favorite snacks is a bowlful of fresh raspberries, topped with a healthy dollop of sweet, whipped cream. And sometimes the craving for the flavor of that tart and luscious little fruit will spill into my cocktail yearnings as well, no pun intended. Below are a handful of recipes where raspberry almost steals the show.

• Clover Club – Turn your home bar into an exclusive space with this members-only tipple.
• Barbie Cocktail – Silky and smooth, this raspberry-tinged treat is one of many drinks inspired by the iconic toy.
• Raspberry Lemon Drop – This vodka-based beverage gets a fruity and red makeover.
• French Martini – Raspberry liqueur helps lend some Parisian vibes to this ‘Tini.