Brown Derby
Bourbon, grapefruit and honey. A Los Angeles drink from the 1930s.
Shaken · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 16% ABV
Ingredients
- 45 ml Bourbon
- 30 ml Grapefruit juice
- 15 ml Honey syrup
- Grapefruit twist (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 45 ml bourbon into the shaker
- Pour 30 ml grapefruit juice into the shaker
- Pour 15 ml honey syrup into the shaker
- Add ice
- Shake hard
- Strain
- Garnish
About the Brown Derby
Named after the famous Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles, which was shaped like a hat. It was printed in a 1930s cocktail book.
The sour family. Sours are one of the oldest mixed-drink families. Spirit, citrus and sugar go back to the punches British sailors and traders drank in the 1600s and 1700s, and Jerry Thomas printed sour recipes in the first American bartending book in 1862. Egg white came later, for a silky foam. Almost every classic with fresh citrus, from the Daiquiri to the Whiskey Sour, follows this pattern.
Brown Derby FAQ
What's in a Brown Derby?
45 ml bourbon, 30 ml grapefruit juice, 15 ml honey syrup, garnished with grapefruit twist.
How strong is a Brown Derby?
About 16% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 1.4 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is stronger than a glass of wine.
Should I shake or stir a Brown Derby?
Shake it. citrus, juice and cream need shaking to mix properly and gain a light, lively texture.
What glass do you serve a Brown Derby in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
