Bronx cocktail

Bronx

Alessandro Scire Calabrisotto

Bright, balanced and unfairly overlooked today, the Bronx was once one of the most celebrated cocktails in America. A clever marriage of gin, two vermouths and fresh orange juice, it sits somewhere between a Martini and a sour — and it deserves a place back in the spotlight.

History of the Bronx

The Bronx is a true product of the early-twentieth-century American cocktail boom. It rose to enormous popularity in the years before Prohibition and is often credited to the bartender Johnnie Solon, said to have created it at the old Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York and named it after the city's Bronx Zoo.

At the height of its fame, the Bronx was ranked among the most popular cocktails in the country, mentioned in the same breath as the Martini and the Manhattan. Its defining feature is the addition of orange juice to the classic gin-and-vermouth formula, which softens the drink and lends it a fruity, approachable charm. Though it faded from fashion over the decades, it remains a beloved classic among those who know it.

Recipe: How to Make a Classic Bronx

Ingredients:

  • 45 ml (1.5 oz) gin
  • 15 ml (0.5 oz) sweet vermouth
  • 15 ml (0.5 oz) dry vermouth
  • 30 ml (1 oz) freshly squeezed orange juice

Instructions:

  1. Add the gin, sweet vermouth, dry vermouth and orange juice to a shaker.
  2. Fill with ice and shake until well chilled.
  3. Double strain into a chilled coupe glass.
  4. Express an orange twist over the surface.
  5. Garnish with the orange twist and serve.

Tips for Perfection:

  • Use freshly squeezed orange juice — it is essential for a bright, lively drink.
  • Balancing both sweet and dry vermouth gives the Bronx its signature complexity.
  • Shake well to properly integrate the juice and chill the cocktail.

Additional Recommendations

Variations:

  • Dry Bronx: use only dry vermouth for a crisper, less sweet drink.
  • Bloody Bronx: made with the juice of a blood orange for extra depth and colour.
  • Income Tax: a close cousin, simply add a dash or two of Angostura bitters.

Pairings:

  • Brunch dishes such as eggs and smoked salmon.
  • Citrus-dressed salads and light starters.
  • Mild soft cheeses.

Presentation:

  • Serve straight up in a chilled coupe to show off its golden hue.
  • Finish with a vibrant orange twist.

Curiosity: A Fun Fact About the Bronx

The Bronx is traditionally said to have been named after the Bronx Zoo, with its creator joking that the strange 'animals' people claimed to see after a few drinks were as good a reason as any. It is one of several classics that, together with the Manhattan and Brooklyn, salute the boroughs of New York.

Sources

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