If you’re a man, you’re likely a fan of Madmen. If you’re not, you should exit now and go have some cucumber sandwiches Mary. Anyway, the characters on Madmen have truly mastered the art of drinking, namely Roger Sterling and Don Draper, who keep it consistent, always drinking a Gibson and an Old Fashioned respectively. These are the perfect drinks for a man. They slightly spice up vodka and whiskey without turning them into a strawberry daiquiri or even worse, some overdone, needlessly complicated, odd ingredient including, pretentious cocktail whipped up by some hipster “mixologist”. The Gibson and the Old Fashioned are two drinks every man should know how to make so we’re going to show you how.
The Gibson: Many people thought and still do think that those cocktails Roger Sterling drinks are simply a Martini. The drink is actually a Gibson which is a variation of a Martini (a drink he also partakes in on occasion). In fact, it’s pretty much just a martini with a cocktail onion in it but it’s delicious nonetheless. It’s also simple to make. All you need is 2.5 ounces of gin, half an ounce of dry vermouth, and a couple of cocktail onions. Mix the gin and vermouth with ice, stir well, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the onions and there you have it, a Gibson.
The Old Fashioned: When Don Draper isn’t drinking his whiskey straight, he’s ordering an Old Fashioned and we even saw him whip one up for himself and Connie Hilton. The Old Fashioned is more complicated to make than the Gibson and it can take some practice to master. To make an Old Fashioned you’ll need bitters, a couple of sugar cubes, a slice of orange, a maraschino cherry, club soda, and bourbon. In an Old Fashioned glass or tumbler you’re going to muddle 2 sugar cubes, 4 dashes of bitters, one maraschino cherry, a slice of orange, and a splash of club soda. Take out the orange rind and add two ounces of bourbon and ice. Garnish with a cherry and a slice of orange and you have you’re self an Old Fashioned just like Don Draper drinks. Before you know it, you’ll own an advertising agency and be having indiscriminate sex with nearly every woman you meet. Well, probably not but at least you’ll know how to make a good cocktail.
Article By: Jon DaBove
