Various writers call this drink a “Jazz Age cocktail”—Jazz Age meaning roughly the 1920s and 1930s, which as a history student I also saw labeled the “Aspirin Age,” and which most people probably call the Prohibition Era. But, okay, it was the Jazz Age—when people went to nightclubs *strictly* to appreciate the lively, sophisticated music and DEFINITELY not to drink ANY ALCOHOL AT ALL. … 

Minnie the Moocher (the cocktail) first appeared in print in a 1939 book, “The World Famous Cotton Club: 1939 Book of Mixed Drinks” (still available in reprints), but it first appeared in a bartender’s hand at the fabled Harlem nightclub a few years earlier. The cocktail is a tribute to “Minnie the Moocher,” the call-and-response song that became Rochester-born Cab Calloway’s signature tune after his band replaced Duke Ellington’s at the Cotton Club in 1931. Laced with drug references and sexual innuendo, the song in turn birthed a 1932 eight-minute animated film starring the equally iconic Betty Boop. The song remains an icon of the Jazz Age; why shouldn’t the cocktail?

The drink itself is a petite Martini riff, probably best as an after-dinner drink or nightcap because it’s slightly sweet and aromatic due to a good dose of Benedictine liqueur and a dash of absinthe. If you’re not fond of sweet cocktails, add a little more gin or reduce the Benedictine. Keep the gin solidly in the London Dry end of the gin spectrum, as the cocktail needs no additional botanicals or aromatics on top of the liqueurs.

Even with a little bump to the gin, Minnie the Moocher adds up to about three ounces, in the fashion of early 20th century cocktails, making it the perfect volume to enjoy in a small (I would say “correctly sized”) Martini glass or a classic Nick & Nora mini-coupe. 

In addition to the ingredients, you’ll need a mixing glass, barspoon, jigger, strainer, and an appropriate glass (all available at Cooks’ World).

MINNIE THE MOOCHER
Ingredients (all available from Pinnacle Wine & Liquor):
1¼ oz London Dry Gin
1 oz Dry vermouth
¾ oz Benedictine D.O.M.
1 dash Absinthe
1 dash Angostura Bitters

Combine the ingredients in a mixing glass, fill the mixing glass two-thirds full with ice, and stir for 20 seconds. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora or small Martini glass.

Garnish with an out-loud “Hi dee Hi dee Hi dee Ho!”  

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Cooks’ World and Pinnacle Wine & Liquor are less than a mile from each other, on Monroe Avenue near Twelve Corners in Brighton.

Cooks’ World, in business since 1978, is Rochester’s premier retailer of dining, kitchen, and cooking products, including a complete selection of glassware, mixology tools, and accessories for wine and spirits lovers. Follow Cooks’ World on Facebook and Instagram. Sign up here to receive Cooks’ World’s daily email specials and other news. 

Pinnacle Wine & Liquor, in business since 1997, offers a thoughtfully curated selection of spirits and wine from around the world, with a savvy staff to assist in your selection and encourage you along your cocktail and wine journey. Follow Pinnacle on Facebook and Instagram. For the inside track on Pinnacle’s spirits sales, send two text messages to (585)765-7546:
— Text the word “bourbon,” to receive weekly text messages offering the chance to buy rare or allocated whiskies or special prices on popular products.
—Text the word “spirits,” to receive roughly monthly offers on fine spirits other than whiskies.