I like me some liquor.
And today, Friday December 5, 2008 is a night for the books. It’s an historic day that forever changed the lives of millions and the face of the glorious city that we live in. No, I’m not talking about Election Day when my homeboy Barack was front and center; I’m talking about REPEAL DAY, the 75th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition.
To celebrate the greatest day in history, I chatted with Charles Joly – mixologist extraordinaire from The Drawing Room (937 N. Rush) – who has created special Prohibition-inspired cocktail flights, available for $33. Get it, like 1933, the year the 18th Amendment was repealed? We Cheeky girls are so quick.
And a part of the evening’s proceeds support Chicago’s Green House Shelter, a charity that helps women end abusive relationships through counseling and legal advocacy. What’s more, the 1933 style party is being co-hosted by the Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails (LUPEC), who are united in saving the Gin Fizz, the Widow’s Kiss and the Singapore Sing…they are totally awesome.
Now let’s hear from Charles:
SM: Tell me about the 75th anniversary of Prohibition. What did this mean for Chicago?
CJ: This is a key anniversary and a pivotal time in cocktail culture in Chicago and the U.S. We’re in the middle of a cocktail renaissance, 75 years in the making. Chicago and cities across America are fully devoted to rediscovering, preserving and innovating what is an inherently American institution: the properly made cocktail and the culture surrounding it. The craft of bartending was once widely respected as an honorable, professional career. Every time someone sees the attention and effort we put into each drink and most importantly, after they taste the result, we win over another naysayer.
SM: What cocktails are featured in the Thirties-inspired flights at the Drawing Room?
CJ: The Little Audrey, The White Lady and the Manhattan were made in honor of three members of LUPEC, who associate themselves with those cocktails. The Last Word and Pegu cocktail are two fine classics that I’ve not had on any of my menus at the Drawing Room thus far, and they pay homage to some friends in the industry. They’re both drinks that I’ve balanced, enjoyed and bickered about ratios with some of the finest barkeeps in the business. The Back to the Stick is my personal contribution to the menu. After all, every drink has to have a beginning.
The Little Audrey (Sonja)
North Shore Distiller’s Gin No. 11
Passionfruit Nectar
Tangerine Juice
Dash of Orange Bitters
Shake & strain into cocktail glass, garnish with orange or tangerine curl
The White Lady (Delilah)
North Shore #6
Cointreau
Lemon Juice
Manhattan (Stone)
Templeton Rye
Noilly Pratt
Aromatic Bitters
Housemade Maraschino
Last Word
North Shore #6
Green Chartreuse
Luxardo Maraschino
Fresh Lemon Juice
Pegu
North Shore #6
Orange Curacao
Lime Juice
Aromatic & Orange bitters
SM: How do you feel about the trend towards reverting to classic cocktails (i.e. sidecars, manhattans) – do you think that these drinks will always be in style?
CJ: It’s of the utmost importance to know the classics as a bartender. It’s the whole walk before you run idea. Until you learn the foundations of the business, techniques, recipes and the reasoning behind why we do what we do – you shouldn’t be tinkering with trying to make “new versions” of these. The classics are like a 1932 Ford Coupe (the Deuce Coupe) or Ella Fitzgerald with Louis Armstrong, Audrey Hepburn in the perfect black dress….better off left the way they were – amazing, near perfection. That type of sound, look or sensation never goes out of style. Truly timeless.
SM: When you’re not working, where is your go-to place in Chicago for a great drink?
CJ: I have a couple of different haunts, mostly places where I pull down a whiskey on the rocks and good conversation with friends. I don’t want to drink anywhere that Bukowski wouldn’t stumble into if he decided to float on in. I gravitate towards Orbit Room, Continental, Matchbox, Star Lounge while the sun is up and I’m liking what’s happening at the Whistler and Sepia.
