Algonquin Cocktail

A Whiskey Martini with the addition of pineapple juice creates this unusual cocktail that's refreshing while also having a decent kick. This is a classic cocktail that you may have missed due to the unusual recipe, especially the Pineapple Juice.

This drink is one of the many variations of a Martini with a fruit juice or just generally Whiskey mixed with fruit juice. Maybe it's not the most extravagant cocktail out there, but if you're looking to make a cocktail based on ingredients you have, this is an interesting mix that you can have fun with.

If things turn out a little tart due to the Pineapple Juice, feel free to dial it back to satisfy your taste. Enjoy.

Total Time 3

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

45 mL Rye or Bournbon works too.
20 mL Dry Vermouth
20 mL Pineapple juice
Garnish with a cherry (optional)

Instructions

Shake Rye, Dry Vermouth, and Pineapple Juice with plenty of ice in a cocktail shaker until everything is cold.
Strain into a Coupe glass.
Garnish and drink.

Notes

Use a good Rye for this cocktail as it makes up most of the drink, so do yourself a favour.

Unsurprisingly, not a lot is know about the history of this cocktail. We do know it came about some time in the early 1900's and was named after the Algonquin Hotel in New York City. Was it created there? We don't know. Quite possibly given the name, but there's not really any evidence of that.

It's disappointing that so many of these great old cocktails don't have a story to go with them, but that's the nature of time. Sometimes you get a good "legend" that goes along with a recipe; it's obviously not terribly true, but it's a lot of fun (and may have elements of truth). With this cocktail, we have nothing. It still tastes good though...

Our Review of the Algonquin Cocktail

This is an interesting cocktail recipe, for sure. There’s a Martini aspect to it, and for people who like the Martini formula or just like Dry Vermouth, the Algonquin may be a winner. While Dry Vermouth surely goes well with Rye, does it go well with Pineapple Juice? The answer to that question will rely on your personal taste preferences.

Although the Pineapple Juice tends to take over from the Dry Vermouth, it’s obviously still there, and it mostly works. The floral qualities of a good Dry Vermouth work well with the spicy elements of the Rye, which is why it’s a bit surprising that both work together with Pineapple Juice. All in all, it’s a little bit novel and surprising because the Algonquin Cocktail shouldn’t work so well. But it mostly does.

Given the age of the recipe, the Algonquin Cocktail sits with other classic cocktails, but it’s obviously not as famous as many other older cocktails. And perhaps that’s for a reason. It would be a stretch to call the Algonquin “weird,” and the ingredients themselves are hardly unusual, but using them together certainly is.

But that’s a great thing about this cocktail. The somewhat different selection of ingredients for this drink show the true creativity and mastery of the inventor. More novice mixologists wouldn’t think to make something like this.

Overall, I quite liked this cocktail. I like that it’s a bit different but uses ingredients most bars will have on hand. If everybody else is having a standard Martini or another classic, it can be fun to be a little bit different and have an Algonquin instead. So it’s bringing in another fun aspect of drinking cocktails, especially drinking cocktails with friends. Ordering something different isn’t necessarily about showing off is just being contrary, it’s about branching out and perhaps letting others having a taste. Perhaps those friends you’re sharing with will find a new favourite cocktail.

Try the Algonquin Cocktail at home, then have one at a bar from time to time.

8/10

Review by Emily

If you’re after more cocktails, especially with Whiskey or Rye

We have a ton more recipes for you to search through. Whether it’s just sticking with the Rye, general Whiskey cocktails, or even more cocktails with just three ingredients. Take a look:

Top 10 Whiskey cocktails: these are our favourite Whiskey cocktails. Some call for Rye, some Bourbon, some other Whiskeys. See if there’s anything you’d like on this list.

Top 15 three ingredient cocktails: three ingredient cocktails are great. They’re easy to make and easy to drink. Check out other three ingredient cocktails.

All Rye cocktail recipes: if you like Rye, why not take a look at all the cocktail recipes we have that have Rye in them. Have fun!

All Whiskey cocktail recipes: or if you want to move from Rye to another type of Whiskey, feel free to take a look at all of our cocktail recipes that have Whiskey in them. You’ll find something there!