2nd #cocktail of #FridayNightCocktails on 26th January: Fitchett

Our second cocktail is the Fitchett. Created by Joseph A. Fitchett, head bar steward, at the Vancouver Club; it featured in the 1925 book About Town Cocktail Book. For many years people were making the Fitchett and calling it the Vancouver, a fact which only came to light in a 2002 article in Canada’s Scout Magazine.

Fitchett

Yields1 Serving
Prep Time2 mins

Created by Joseph A. Fitchett, head bar steward, at the Vancouver Club; it featured in the 1925 book About Town Cocktail Book. For many years people were making the Fitchett and calling it the Vancouver, a fact which only came to light in a 2002 article in Canada's Scout Magazine.

 50 ml (1¾ oz) gin
 30 ml (1 oz) sweet vermouth
 20 ml (⅔ oz) Benedictine D.O.M
 1 dash orange bitters
 Maraschino cherry or olive as garnish

1

Half-fill a mixing jug with ice.

2

Add all ingredients and stir until well-chilled.

3

Strain into a cocktail coupe.

4

Garnish with a maraschino cherry or olive.

[cocktail-ingredients]

AI generated anecdote for article length

It was a balmy summer evening, and the golden hues of the setting sun painted the sky in warm tones. In the heart of the city, Sarah was preparing for an intimate get-together with her closest female friends. Inspired by her recent exploration of classic cocktails, she decided to introduce them to a hidden gem – the Fitchett cocktail. Armed with a sense of adventure and a well-stocked bar, Sarah was ready to infuse the evening with sophistication and the spirit of camaraderie.

The living room buzzed with excitement as Sarah gathered the ingredients for the Fitchett cocktail. She opted for a reputable Old Tom gin, appreciating its slightly sweeter profile that she believed would be the perfect canvas for the complex dance of flavors that lay ahead. Sweet vermouth added a touch of elegance, while the herbal notes of Benedictine D.O.M promised a unique twist that would capture the attention of her discerning friends.

With a sense of purpose, Sarah began to measure and pour the ingredients into a mixing glass. The clinking of ice cubes served as a prelude to the symphony of flavors she was about to orchestrate. As she stirred the concoction with a deliberate and measured rhythm, she couldn't help but think of the stories that must have unfolded around this classic cocktail in days gone by.

The Fitchett cocktail, with its Old Tom gin, sweet vermouth, and Benedictine D.O.M, held a timeless allure that Sarah was eager to share. The anticipation mounted as the room filled with the fragrant whispers of botanicals and the rich undertones of aged spirits coming together in harmony.

Once satisfied with the mingling of flavors, Sarah strained the elixir into delicate cocktail coupes, the crystal-clear liquid glistening in the ambient light. The finishing touch – a plump olive, speared on a cocktail pick – added a touch of Mediterranean flair, promising a subtle brininess to complement the cocktail's depth.

With a tray of meticulously crafted Fitchett cocktails in hand, Sarah joined her friends in the living room. The air was filled with laughter and the sweet notes of anticipation as she presented her creation, inviting her friends to partake in a sip of the past woven into the fabric of the present.

"Ladies, I present to you the Fitchett cocktail – a classic with a modern twist," Sarah declared, her eyes sparkling with a blend of excitement and pride. The room hushed for a moment as her friends took in the sight of the elegant cocktails, each adorned with a solitary olive.

The first sips elicited a symphony of delighted murmurs. The Old Tom gin, with its mellow sweetness, played in perfect harmony with the herbal complexity of Benedictine D.O.M, while the sweet vermouth added a velvety smoothness that lingered on the palate. The olive garnish, a savory contrast, invited each sip to be a journey of nuanced delights.

As the evening unfolded, the Fitchett cocktail became a conversation starter and a catalyst for shared stories. Sarah watched with joy as her friends reveled in the unique experience, the cocktail serving as a bridge between the past and the present, between tradition and innovation.

As the last drops of the Fitchett cocktail were savored, the room echoed with the laughter and camaraderie of friends who had shared more than just a drink. Sarah couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to the history and craftsmanship encapsulated in that elegant glass. The Fitchett cocktail had woven its magic, creating an evening of cherished memories and forging a bond among friends that would endure long after the glasses were empty.

Ingredients

 50 ml (1¾ oz) gin
 30 ml (1 oz) sweet vermouth
 20 ml (⅔ oz) Benedictine D.O.M
 1 dash orange bitters
 Maraschino cherry or olive as garnish

Directions

1

Half-fill a mixing jug with ice.

2

Add all ingredients and stir until well-chilled.

3

Strain into a cocktail coupe.

4

Garnish with a maraschino cherry or olive.

Fitchett

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