9 Inventive Gin Cocktails Inspired By The Legendary Dorothy Parker

Tomorrow marks legendary author Dorothy Parker’s 122nd birthday, and were she alive to celebrate it, there is no doubt that a gin cocktail would have been in her hand. Parker, a writer, poet, activist and critic was also one of the world’s wittiest drinkers and the world of cocktails is better off because she was a part of it. As a tribute to her, nine of New York City’s greatest female mixologists have come together to create ten gin cocktails that Dorothy would have loved, and they’ve shared the recipes with us. Though if you’re not in the mood to make them on your own, and you happen to be in New York this weekend, you can also sample them at The Center Bar where all the cocktails will be on offer.

For all of the recipes below the mixologists used Dorothy Parker Gin, created by New York Distilling Company. Since the gin is not available nationwide, you should use whatever gin you prefer.

By Any Other Name:

This is a cool gin cocktailCreated By Molly Cohen, Director of Beverage of SixtyFive and Rainbow Room

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Ingredients:

  • 1.5oz gin
  • .5 oz Aveze Gentiane liqueur
  • .5 oz Combier Rose liqueur
  • 1oz Carpano Bianco vermouth

Combine all ingredients in a mixer with ice and stir. Strain into a Champagne Coupe.

Pom Collins:

This is a cool gin cocktailCreated by Meaghan Dorman, Bar Director of Raines Law Room, Raines Law Room at the William, and Dear Irving

Ingredients:

  • .75 oz lemon juice
  • .5 oz pom simple syrup
  • .5 oz St. Germain Elderflower
  • 1.5 oz gin

Shake and strain into a Collins glass. Top with Club Soda. Garnish with lemon wheel. To make the Pom Simple Syrup combine equal parts pom juice and simple syrup.

French 75 (The Vine):

This is a cool gin cocktailCreated by Yana Volfson and Katie Stipe, Cocktail Consultants for The Vine

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz gin
  • .5 oz lemon juice
  • .5 oz simple syrup
  • 4 dash housemade hibiscus tincture
  • top with sparkling wine

Combine gin, lemon juice, hibiscus tincture (if you have it) and simple syrup. Stir over ice. Strain into a Champagne flute and top with bubbles.

Boat House Punch:

This is a cool gin cocktailCreated by Julie Reiner, Partner of Clover Club, Flatiron Lounge and Leyenda

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 ounces gin
  • 1 ounce aperol
  • .5 ounce St. Germain
  • .5 ounce lemon juice
  • .5 ounce orange juice
  • .5 oz grapefruit juice

Muddle 2 long lemon twists in a bar spoon of sugar. Add ingredients and shake. Strain over fresh ice in a wine glass and top with 2 ounces Rose Champagne. Garnish with an orange wheel.

Poet’s Passion:

This is a cool gin cocktailCreated by Lucinda Sterling, Managing Partner of Middle Branch

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz gin
  • .5 oz peach liqueur
  • .5 oz passion fruit concentrate
  • .5 oz fresh lime juice
  • peach bitters

Shake all ingredients with ice, and strain into a Collins. Top with club soda and garnish with a lime wheel or wedge.

Close Harmony:

This is a cool gin cocktailCreated by Eryn Reece, Head Bartender of Death & Co.

Ingredients:

  • 1.50 oz gin
  • 0.50 oz Dolin Blanc vermouth
  • 0.50 oz Dolin dry vermouth
  • 0.25 oz Dolin Genepy
  • Half dash lavender bitters

Combine all ingredients over ice and stir. Strain into a Champagne Coupe.

Skin Deep:

This is a cool gin cocktailCreated by Ivy Mix, Head Bartender and Co-Owner of Leyenda

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz gin
  • 1 oz La Diablada Pisco
  • 1 oz Dolin Dry vermouth
  • dash orange bitters

Combine all ingredients over ice and stir. Strain into a Champagne Coupe or Martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist and an olive.

Total Recall:

This is a cool gin cocktailCreated by Natasha David, Co-owner of Nitecap

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz Cocchi Rosa
  • 0.25 oz strawberry syrup
  • 1 dash Vieux Pontarlier absinthe

Stir all ingredients together over ice. Strain into a white wine glass.

Word Play:

This is a cool gin cocktailCreated by Pamela Wiznitzer, Creative Director at Seamstress

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz gin
  • .5 oz Campari
  • .1 oz strawberry syrup (either made with fresh strawberries and simple syrup, or using a brand like Perfect Puree strawberry with an additional 1/3 mixture of simple syrup)
  • .75 oz lemon juice
  • 1 oz half and half
  • 1 egg white
  • Soda water
  • 3 dashes bittermans burlesque bitters

Dry shake all ingredients except the soda. Add ice and shake once more. Then strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda water. Garnish with a strawberry half on the rim of the glass.