The Bronx (Grouchy Version)

COCKTAIL INGREDIENTS:
- 45 ml London Dry Gin
- 15 ml Dry Vermouth
- 15 ml Sweet Vermouth
- 20 ml Fresh Pomerans/Bitter Orange Juice
- 10 ml Fresh Orange Juice
- 1 Dash Orange Bitters

GARNISH:
- Orange Twist

INSTRUCTIONS:
• Combine all of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
• Add ice and shake until chilled.
• Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Express orange peel oils over the top.
• Garnish with an orange twist.

Cocktail author: this particular version is my riff on The Bronx as made by Frank Caiafa.

Last week I have tried the classic Bronx cocktail and decided to give it a subtle twist, bending the cocktail taste profile more towards my palate.

Similarly, to the Blood and Sand twist I have posted earlier this year, I thought that The Bronx could also benefit from a gentle addition of bitter/tart orange juice. Overall ingredients of the cocktail remain true to the original: base of gin with that all-familiar juniper, floral tart notes of dry vermouth and rich herbal tones of sweet vermouth. Next on the list is orange juice. After some experimentation I landed on 2:1 ratio: 2 parts bitter orange juice and 1 part ordinary fresh orange juice. Combined it brings out the best of two worlds: sweet citrusy deliciousness of orange with almost lemon like tartness and increased aromatics of the bitter orange. When blended into a cocktail it adds a distinct freshness and bitterness to the mix, that perhaps is lacking in the original.

All in all, my take on The Bronx is taking the cocktail into a slightly new direction. I’m not claiming that it is a better direction for everyone, but it is for me. Essentially it helps to acid adjust the cocktail without citric acid or other additives, just using pure natural ingredients. If you can get your hands on some bitter oranges, I highly recommend experimenting with it and this recipe could be a great place to start.

Source material:
https://vinepair.com/cocktail-college/the-bronx/