1955 Cocktail Review: The Stubby Collins

The first review of the cocktail recipes from the 1955 book What, When, Where, and How to Drink!! We started out with something simple- the Stubby Collins. Here is what you need:

- A Glass
- Something to stir with
- 2 oz. Dry Gin (We used Bombay as usual)
- 1 oz. Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 1-3 Dashes Bitters (optional)
- 2 Ice Cubes (not pictured)

Stir lemon juice, sugar, and bitters WELL in a glass. Add ice cubes. Pour gin over it and mix well.

This was very refreshing and delightful but MUST be kept mixed well continuously, as Amy discovered on her first sip which was more like a straight shot of lemon. It is a tart drink, so if that is not your thing, you may want to adjust the lemon and sugar. Afterwards, I went back for another, she had a gin and tonic instead. This was thoroughly enjoyed but not universally LOVED. I would recommend it, overall.

What, When, Where and How to Drink

Found a little treasure the other day- a book published in 1955 entitled What, When, Where and How to Drink by Richard L. Williams and David Myers with an introduction by Sherman Billingsley:

The Table of Contents:

There are even great illustrations of some guys who look like they knew their drinks:

According to Mr. Billingsley of The Stork Club in New York City, "...this is not a subject on which it pays to be either ignorant or intolerant. To know at least a little about what to drink, and when, and how, is to be a little better equipped for present day living." Thank you, Mr. Billingsley; agreed. The book includes a section full of cocktail recipes of the period. So- it is at this point I would like to introduce you to my wonderful, amazing girlfriend Amy:

HOW amazing? Sometimes, she is the Queen of England:

But always my Queen. SO- for your benefit- Amy and I will periodically do joint reviews of the cocktails in the book and I will post both the recipe and result. The good ones will receive a truly Royal approval. Let the experiment begin!!