Destinations: The Dubonnet Rouge Cocktail Party June 23rd

Do You Dubonnet? On June 23rd  you should!

Dubonnet Rouge,  the classic French fortified wine and cocktail spirit is throwing a complimentary cocktail happy hour party at the Hudson Terrace's rooftop bar. So channel your inner Embury and get over there for drinks with Loungerati!

Do You Dubonnet? What’s Old is Cool with Dubonnet Rouge at Hudson Terrace

THE SKINNY:


Vintage is perpetually in style - especially when it comes in a classic cocktail on a
beautiful summer evening. That's what's in store at Hudson Terrace when
Dubonnet Rouge, the vintage aperitif brand, is the star of the evening. Stylish
New Yorkers can “do Dubonnet” with a selection of complementary cocktails,
while taking in the summer evening from the rooftop bar. In addition, one lucky
guest will be selected at random to receive a $500 gift certificate to spend at
Hudson Terrace.   


Join together with friends to sip three classic preparations – the Dubonnet
Royale (Dubonnet with champagne), Dubonnet on the Rocks – and a Hudson
Terrace signature cocktail made by the house mixologist to show how New York 
“does Dubonnet.”

Hudson Terrace (rooftop bar!)

621W 46th Street

NYC

What We're Drinking: The Baltimore Red

The shock of red hair hit you first. The twinkle in his eye drew you in and the tall tales kept you playing until he took your last poker chip. The scuttlebutt was Baltimore Red hailed from Pikesville, Maryland, but the country boy made myth into legend at underground Charm City gambling parlors. Red was known for ostentation, self-aggrandizement, fast-talk, entertaining banter, as well as his tailored suits. He was renown for playing the out of town gentleman lush, ordering his cocktails “fancy”, talking up amazing feats, and then confounding opponents with hands of poker that would leave them penniless. Between the summer of 1956 and New Year’s Eve 1958, the manicured card shark took the East Coast scene by storm and then disappeared without a trace. Some say he took his game to Meyer Lansky's Havana and ended up on the wrong side of the Revolution. Others say he went west to Vegas and got busted counting cards. No one ever caught Baltimore Red’s real name or learned of his fate. However, like his velvet smooth moves and infamous bluffs, you will not forget his eponymous drink. So bet on red and enjoy.

Shot and a half of Pikesville Straight Rye, ounce of Dubonnet Rouge, a splash of Falernum, two dashes bitters – one of Peychaud's and one of aromatic. Mix it in cold bar glass, add a few lumps of ice, and stir it up a dozen or so times. Strain into a fancy cocktail glass, garnish with an orange peel, burnt if the stakes are high, ya follow?

(As described to the author by an elderly ginger haired dandy claiming to be the missing rounder on a bench in Baltimore’s Penn Station.)

Translation of recipe:

THE BALTIMORE RED
an original cocktail by Fredo

2 oz of Rye (Pikesville)
1 oz Dubonnet Rouge
2 bar spoons Velvet Falernum (John C. Taylor)
1 dash Peychaud bitters
1 dash Fee Brothers Whiskey barrel bitters (or Angostura)
1 orange peel

Combine liquids in mixing glass, add ice cubes, stir with mixing spoon until chilled, strain into cocktail glass and add orange twist (burnt twist is optional for the extra flair).

Where to get it: Fredo's Home bar