Knickerbocker cocktail
The Knickerbocker cocktail is a sweet fruity drink featuring rum and raspberry syrup, mixed with lime juice and orange curacao that adds to the cocktail's tart flavour.
The Knickerbocker cocktail was mistakenly believed to have been created in the famous New York hotel of the same name, sometime in the mid-19th century, but there are print versions of this recipe which predate the cocktail.
Another amusing version has it that the knickerbocker cocktail was named in reference to the Dutch community of New York who wore their trousers (or knickers) rolled up just below the knee. The term knickerbocker was given to anything which hailed from New York.
- Total Time:
- Type: Cocktail
Equipment
- Old Fashioned glass
Ingredients
- 70 ml Santa Cruz rum
- 25 ml raspberry syrup
- 15 ml lime juice
- 5 ml orange curacao
- lime wedge (to garnish)
- 3 raspberries (to garnish)
Instructions
- Pour in all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well until chilled.
- Strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and 3 raspberries.
FAQ
What is a Knickerbocker cocktail made of?
A Knickerbocker typically includes aged rum, lime juice, raspberry syrup (or fresh raspberries), and orange curaçao.
Is the Knickerbocker an old cocktail?
Yes, it dates back to at least the 1850s and was featured in early bartending guides like Jerry Thomas’s 1862 book.
What does the name “Knickerbocker” refer to?
The name references early Dutch settlers of New York and became associated with fashionable New Yorkers in the 19th century.
Can I substitute raspberry syrup in a Knickerbocker?
Yes, you can use fresh raspberries muddled with sugar, or even a raspberry liqueur in a pinch.
Is the Knickerbocker served over ice?
Traditionally, it’s shaken and served over crushed ice in a goblet or large coupe.