The Isabella 1908 cocktail is a classic gin cocktail that was created in 1908 at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. It gets its name from the year it was invented, 1908, and was likely named after Princess Isabella of France. The cocktail contains gin, orange juice, Grand Marnier and Absinthe, resulting in a citrusy and herbal flavor profile. Despite being over 100 years old, the Isabella 1908 remains a staple cocktail on many bar menus today.
What are the origins and history of the Isabella 1908 cocktail?
As mentioned, the Isabella 1908 cocktail was created in 1908 at the iconic Ritz Hotel in Paris. The early 1900s marked the rise in popularity of cocktails in both America and Europe. The Ritz was at the forefront of mixology and cocktail culture at the time. Many classic cocktails like the Sidecar, the White Lady and the Bloody Mary originated from the Ritz’s famous bar.
The Isabella 1908 was likely created by one of the Ritz’s star bartenders as a riff on the classic Orange Blossom cocktail, swapping out orange liqueur for Grand Marnier. It was probably named after Isabella of France, who lived in the 1300s. Naming cocktails after historic royalty or figures was common practice during this era.
The cocktail quickly became a fixture on the Ritz’s menu and its fame spread throughout Parisian high society. Its popularity endured through the 1920s, 30s and beyond. The Isabella 1908 remains an iconic early 20th century cocktail today.
What are the key ingredients in the Isabella 1908 cocktail?
The Isabella 1908 contains just four key ingredients:
Gin
The base spirit of the cocktail. A London Dry style gin is preferred to let the botanicals shine through. Plymouth, Beefeater or Tanqueray make good choices.
Orange juice
Freshly squeezed is ideal. The juice provides citrusy sweetness and balances the botanicals of the gin.
Grand Marnier
An orange liqueur from France. Grand Marnier adds depth of flavor and a touch of sweetness. Its cognac base pairs nicely with gin.
Absinthe
Absinthe rinse adds a hint of herbaceousness. Use just a dash to rinse the glass before straining the rest of the cocktail.
What is the complete Isabella 1908 cocktail recipe?
Here is the complete recipe to make one Isabella 1908 cocktail:
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 ounces (45ml) gin
– 3/4 ounce (20ml) fresh orange juice
– 1/2 ounce (15ml) Grand Marnier
– 1 dash Absinthe
Instructions:
1. Rinse a chilled cocktail glass with Absinthe by pouring in a dash, coating the inside of the glass, then discarding any excess absinthe. This will lightly flavor the cocktail.
2. Add the gin, orange juice and Grand Marnier into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to fully chill and combine.
3. Fine strain the cocktail into the absinthe rinsed glass.
4. Garnish with an orange twist. Lightly squeeze the twist over the drink to express the oils then run the peel around the rim and place in the glass.
5. Serve and enjoy!
What is the proper way to garnish an Isabella 1908 cocktail?
The traditional garnish for an Isabella 1908 is an orange twist. Here is how to make it:
– Use a paring knife or peeler to remove a 2-3 inch strip of orange peel from an orange.
– Cut a slit down the middle of the peel starting about halfway. This will help the oils express when squeezed.
– Lightly pinch the peel near the slit to express the citrus oils over the surface of the cocktail.
– Run the peel around the rim of the glass to distribute the expressed oils.
– Place the twist into the glass with the colored side facing up.
The oils from the orange twist will enhance the fresh orange aroma and flavor. Try to select a thin-skinned orange variety like Valencia which will give the best oils. Always use fresh citrus, never dried peels.
What type of glassware is best for serving the Isabella 1908?
The Isabella 1908 is ideally served in a vintage coupe glass or a narrow champagne coupe.
Some key considerations for selecting the proper glass:
– Vintage or retro-style glass to match the era of the drink
– Curved or rounded bowl shape to capture aromas
– Narrow rim to concentrate flavors
– Stemmed to prevent hands from warming the cocktail
– 4-6 ounce capacity
The vintage champagne coupe glass checks all these boxes. Its elegant bowed shape shows off the beautiful orange color of the drink. The narrow mouth focuses the citrus aromas. It’s the perfect vessel for showcasing this timeless cocktail.
What alcohol proof should quality gin and Grand Marnier be for the Isabella 1908?
Here are the ideal proofs for the Isabella 1908’s base spirits:
Gin
Look for a gin that is 90-94 proof (45-47% ABV). This higher proof point allows the botanical flavors to come through in the cocktail. Popular gins like Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, or Plymouth are great choices.
Avoid lower proof gins (80 proof/40% ABV) as they can get lost amongst the other ingredients. Higher proof gins also tend to have more pronounced juniper and citrus notes that work nicely with the orange juice and Grand Marnier.
Grand Marnier
Grand Marnier is 80 proof (40% ABV). This iconic French orange liqueur has been made at this proof since its creation in the late 1800s.
The blend of fine cognacs and distilled bitter orange essence results in a perfect balance at 80 proof. It maintains the right sweetness and concentrated orange flavor for cocktails like the Isabella 1908.
What different variations and modern twists exist for the Isabella 1908 cocktail?
The Isabella 1908 is a classic for good reason. However, some creative riffs and variations can put a modern spin on the vintage cocktail. Some tweaks to try:
Switch up the citrus
– Use blood orange or grapefruit juice instead of regular orange juice.
– Swap the orange twist garnish for a lemon or lime twist.
Use alternative liqueurs
– Substitute Cointreau, Combier or another orange liqueur for the Grand Marnier.
– Add a splash of elderflower liqueur like St. Germain.
– Dash of peppermint liqueur brings wintry flavors.
Explore other gin botanicals
– Use an Old Tom gin for more sweetness.
– Try a citrus-forward gin like Tanqueray Rangpur.
– Sub in genever for an malty, aromatic twist.
Make it a highball
– Add soda water to make a refreshing Isabella 1908 highball.
– Splash of tonic water adds bitterness.
– Top with ginger beer instead of soda for a mule version.
The options are endless! The drink’s base DNA remains but slight tweaks and tailoring to specific tastes can reinvent the Isabella 1908 for modern palates.
What food pairings work well with the Isabella 1908 cocktail?
The Isabella 1908’s citrusy herbal profile makes it a versatile cocktail pairing. Here are some excellent food matches:
Seafood
The gin and orange complement light seafood dishes like ceviche, oysters and shrimp cocktails.
Cheese
Soft cheeses like brie pair nicely, as do aged goudas and gruyere.
Green salads
The Isabella 1908 cuts through leafy greens with vinaigrettes or citrus-based dressings.
French cuisine
Naturally this French-born cocktail suits classic French fare like chicken in white wine sauce or trout almondine.
Fruit desserts
The cocktail’s sweetness stands up to fruit-based desserts like salted caramel orange tarts or peach melba.
Spicy Asian dishes
The gin and orange help tame the heat from spicy Thai or Sichuan cuisine.
Thanks to its versatility, the Isabella 1908 pairs well with a wide range of cuisines. From seafood to salads to cheese plates, it’s a great aperitif or digestive cocktail.
Should the Isabella 1908 be served chilled or over ice?
The Isabella 1908 is best served chilled and straight up without any additional ice.
Serving it chilled allows the delicious citrus aromas to shine. The absinthe rinse also comes through more when ice cold.
Skipping additional ice prevents dilution. This keeps the flavors concentrated and the cocktail balanced as originally intended.
Shaking the cocktail with ice then straining into the glass sufficiently chills the Isabella 1908 without over-diluting it.
That said, a few cubes can be added to the glass if desired. Just be aware this will quickly water the drink down. Enjoy this cocktail like they did at the Ritz in 1908 – chilled and straight up in a vintage glass.
What is the significance of Absinthe in the history of the Isabella 1908?
Absinthe rinses were common in cocktails of the early 1900s and helped popularize drinks like the Isabella 1908. Here is some background on absinthe’s history and connection to this cocktail:
Absinthe’s rise
– Absinthe originated in Switzerland in the late 1700s. Its anise flavor and supposed effects on creativity made it popular among artists and writers in the 1800s.
– By the 1890s it had become widely popular in France and America. The “Green Hour” of enjoying absinthe caught on as a daily ritual in Paris.
The Green Fairy
– Absinthe was nicknamed “The Green Fairy” for its typical emerald color. Much myth and lore circulated around its supposed psychedelic effects.
– This was largely exaggerated, though the high alcohol content (up to 74% ABV) contributed to its notorious reputation.
Absinthe prohibition
– At the turn of the century, a moral panic led to bans on absinthe in many European countries and America. This just increased its rebellious, subversive appeal.
Cocktail renaissance
– Even during bans on bottled absinthe, bartenders continued using it as a flavoring in cocktails via absinthe rinses like in the Isabella 1908.
– Its enduring presence as a cocktail ingredient paved the way for absinthe’s eventual comeback in the late 1900s.
The iconic spirit’s storied past was central to cocktail culture around the time the Isabella 1908 was created. Absinthe is a lynchpin that connects this vintage cocktail to its era and the evolution of mixology itself.
Conclusion
In summary, the Isabella 1908 cocktail has stood the test of time over the past century to become a classic gin drink. Born in the iconic Ritz Hotel during the dawn of cocktail culture, it combines gin, orange juice, Grand Marnier and Absinthe for a refreshing, citrusy and gently herbal flavor profile.
This vintage cocktail deserves respect for its historical significance. But a few modern twists like grapefruit juice or elderflower liqueur can reinvent it for contemporary palates. Sipped chilled in a coupe glass, ideally paired with French cuisine, the Isabella 1908 is a timeless offering that evokes the very essence of early 20th century Parisian mixology.