So how do you make the Knickerbocker cocktail?
Well the good news is that it isn’t that hard.
The Knickerbocker cocktail is an absolutely incredible fruity aged rum drink, first documented in the 1860’s by several notable bar manuals.
To justify my excitement, I should say that aged rum drinks are definitely my favorite category of cocktail.
When you bring dark rum, a little fruit and some tart citrus into play it is almost certain to be a winner in my books.
There are plenty of drinks in old bar books and manuals that sound downright terrible, but this is not one of them!
All of the ingredients contribute really well to the Knickerbocker cocktail, and it is one of those few instances where you can pick out all of the ingredients individually as you sip it. Not to say that being able to pick out the ingredients is the mark of a good drink, but it is fun when you can.
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Choosing ingredients for your Knickerbocker
You can use any type of aged rum that you like but one of my favorites at the moment is the Plantation 5 yr old. It has notes of caramel, vanilla, baking spice and overripe fruit that all work so well with the other fruity flavors of the drink.
There are so many styles and categories of rum but this cocktail will go really well with most types. Choose one that is within your budget and doesn’t seem priced too good to be true.
As for the orange liqueur you use, choose what is available to you first, but if you have options I think I prefer Cointreau in this instance.
It has a slightly darker flavor that gives a little body to the drink, but there is such a small amount used here that you may barely notice when using different bottles. Although I do suggest you stay away from bottles of anything price under $10.
Now the best way to get a killer raspberry flavor with the Knickerbocker is to make your own raspberry syrup. It takes a little time but is totally worth it and you can learn how to do that HERE.
In a pinch, you can substitute the raspberry syrup for 4 raspberries and a 1/4 oz. of simple syrup muddled at the bottom of you shaker tin before adding the rest of the ingredients. It will have a brighter and slightly less intense raspberry flavor, but delicious none the less.
Add salt to your cocktails?…
If you have never tried adding salt to your drinks the Knickerbocker and the Daiquiri are the two that I really encourage you to so with. Any time there is citrus (especially lime) it makes everything taste more flavorful, it is not extreme but enough to take your home bartending game to the next level.
I hope you enjoy this drink as much as I do.
Cheers!
Shaking Drinks, Raspberry Syrup
Knickerbocker Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 oz. Aged Rum
- 1/2 oz. Raspberry Syrup
- 1/2 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/4 oz. Cointreau or Dry Curacao
- 4 drops 20% Saline
- Raspberries for Garnish - (optional)
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to your shaker.
- Add ice and shake for about 12 seconds.
- Double strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with raspberries if you feel like it.
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The Ward 8 Cocktail Recipe with Whiskey and Grenadine
Caipirinha Recipe, the Classic Cocktail from Brazil