Waldorf Cocktail

The Waldorf Cocktail is an elegant and aromatic drink that hails from the golden age of cocktails. It masterfully balances the spicy notes of rye whiskey with the herbal sweetness of Italian vermouth. A dash of absinthe adds a complex layer of anise and botanicals, creating a truly memorable and sophisticated drinking experience. It's a stirred, all-booze classic for those who appreciate a well-crafted, spirit-centric sipper.
Waldorf Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Waldorf is a classic cocktail from the pre-Prohibition era. It's categorized as a spirit-forward, aromatic cocktail, often enjoyed as an apéritif or a digestif due to its strong and herbal character.

Serving

This is a strong, aromatic drink served 'up' (chilled, without ice) in a pre-chilled Coupe or Nick & Nora glass. It is best sipped and savored.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 28-32% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled glass

Backstory

This cocktail was the house drink of the iconic Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City before Prohibition. It was created by Joseph "Joe" Taylor, a prominent bartender at the hotel's famous bar. The recipe first appeared in print in Jacques Straub's 1914 book "Drinks" and was later immortalized in Albert Stevens Crockett's 1935 "The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book".
Origin
United States, New York City, Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Created around the early 1900s, pre-1914.

Waldorf Cocktail

The drink is primarily known as the Waldorf Cocktail, named after the famous hotel where it was created. Some older texts might refer to it as Waldorf No. 1 to distinguish it from other drinks served at the hotel, though this is uncommon today.
Original name
Waldorf Cocktail
Alternative name
Waldorf No. 1

Characteristics overview

The Waldorf is a smooth, silky cocktail with a clear amber hue, offering a complex flavor profile that is spicy, herbal, and slightly sweet with a distinct note of anise. Its aroma is rich with whiskey and botanicals, leading to a long, warming aftertaste.
Flavor
Spicy (from rye), Herbal, Sweet, Anise, Complex
Aroma
Whiskey, Botanical, Sweet herbs, Licorice
Taste balance
Spirit-forward, Slightly sweet, Hint of bitterness
Aftertaste
Warming, Long, Herbal, Spicy
Fizziness
Still, None
Color appearance
Amber, Reddish-brown, Clear
Texture
Silky, Smooth, Slightly viscous
Seasonality
Year-round, Warming, Evening drink

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a spirit-forward drink with moderate intensity, balancing the spiciness of rye whiskey with herbal sweetness and a hint of bitterness. It is a strong, non-carbonated cocktail.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires just four key ingredients: a quality rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, a dash of absinthe, and Angostura bitters.
  • Rye Whiskey60 ml / 2 oz
    A spicy, high-proof rye (like 100 proof / 50% ABV) works best.
  • Sweet Vermouth30 ml / 1 oz
    A quality Italian-style sweet vermouth is recommended.
  • Absinthe1 dash
    Alternatively, you can rinse the serving glass with absinthe and discard the excess.
  • Angostura Bitters2 dashes
    Essential for adding aromatic spice and complexity.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need standard bar tools for a stirred cocktail: a mixing glass, a jigger for measuring, a bar spoon for stirring, and a strainer.
  • Mixing glass for combining and chilling the ingredients.
  • Bar spoon for stirring the cocktail.
  • Jigger for measuring the ingredients.
  • Strainer (Julep or Hawthorne) for straining the chilled liquid into the glass.

Instructions

To prepare, stir all liquid ingredients with ice in a mixing glass until well-chilled, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish the drink with an expressed lemon twist.
1. Chill a coupe or Nick & Nora glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Combine the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, absinthe, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass.
3. Fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with cubed ice.
4. Stir with a bar spoon for about 20-30 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted.
5. Discard the ice from your serving glass.
6. Strain the cocktail from the mixing glass into the chilled serving glass.
7. Express the oils from a lemon twist over the surface of the drink by squeezing the peel with the colored side facing the glass.
8. Garnish with the lemon twist and serve immediately.

Garnishing

Garnish with a lemon twist, expressing its oils over the drink's surface to add a bright citrus aroma that complements the cocktail's profile.
  • Lemon twist: Express the oils over the drink and drop it in or place it on the rim.

Dietary Information

This is an alcoholic beverage that is typically dairy-free, egg-free, and vegan. However, it is not considered gluten-free due to the rye whiskey base, which may affect individuals with high sensitivity.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✕ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a spirit-forward cocktail with moderate calories, primarily from the alcohol, and contains a low amount of carbohydrates and sugar from the sweet vermouth.
Calories
Averagely 190-210 kcal / 795-880 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 6-8 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 5-7 g
Sugar level

Occasions

Perfect as an elegant apéritif before a fine dinner, the Waldorf Cocktail also suits sophisticated cocktail parties or any gathering where classic, spirit-forward drinks are appreciated.
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Cocktail party
  • Classic cocktail night
  • Sophisticated gathering

Pairing suggestions

The Waldorf pairs well with savory and salty appetizers like olives, cured meats, and aged cheeses. Its complex character can also stand up to richer fare like pâté, making it a versatile pre-dinner drink.
  • Salted nuts
  • Olives
  • Charcuterie board
  • Aged cheeses

The Waldorf Cocktail: A Taste of Old New York

The Waldorf Cocktail is a sophisticated and historic drink from New York's Gilded Age. It's a spirit-forward blend of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and a hint of absinthe, delivering a complex, spicy, and herbal flavor profile. Best enjoyed stirred and served up in a chilled coupe, it's a perfect example of a classic, elegant apéritif for the discerning drinker looking for a variation on a Manhattan.

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