Once a Presidential favorite, the Bronx Martini cocktail is a sweet and sassy drink you can enjoy any time of day… without a drop of political scandal. 

Bronx Martini Cocktail recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com

It’s the final day of a three-day weekend here in the US. In addition to work and meeting up with some friends, my husband, kids and I celebrated a low-key Valentine’s Day here at home. We cooked up a big brunch (see a photo of some of our heart-shaped brunch treats on Instagram) and lots of family snuggles. The next few weekends are super crazy, so I was determined to have this be a stress-free, family-focused weekend. I’m grateful we were able to make it happen!

And so we move on from one holiday immediately into another…

Cocktails and Politics

Bronx Martini Cocktail

I like to transition from Valentine’s Day to President’s Day the way any good food, wine, and travel writer would: from bubbles and chocolate cake, to cocktails that tell tales of Presidential scandals with every sip, like this Bronx Martini.

Bronx Cocktail recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com

Cocktails and politics have a long history. According to the Smithsonian, the first written use of the word cocktail was in an 1806 editorial criticizing a politician’s excessive alcohol spending during his campaign. Since then, US Presidents have not only brought their agendas and policies to the White House, but also their preferred cocktails.

Presidential Cocktails

Bronx Cocktail recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com

Here’s a look at just a few of the reported favorite cocktails of past US Presidents:

President Harry Truman: the Old Fashioned (try this Rosemary Citrus Old Fashioned)

President John F. Kennedy: Daquiris and Bloody Marys

President Franklin D. Roosevelt: Martinis

President John Adams: Hard Cider (try the Marionberry Cider Crush)

Even President Warren Harding, who served during Prohibition, was known to hide a bottle of whiskey in his golf bag and take a few sips before teeing off. He would undoubtedly approve of my Apple Whiskey Ginger Sour cocktail recipe.

Finally, President Taft: an orange concoction that he liked to have served at breakfast meetings, which became known as the Bronx Martini Cocktail.

The Bronx Martini Cocktail

Bronx Martini with bottle of Tanqueray

So of course, for this President’s Day, I had to make the Bronx Cocktail. I spent my 20s enjoying cocktail lunch meetings and essentially what Taft did was serve his version of brunch mimosas at his morning meetings. They say if you can dream it, do it, so goon on ya’ President Taft!

Here’s a big Mixology Monday cheers to the Presidents who have served our country. I raise my glass to anyone who is brave and strong enough to even attempt to win that position, and I don’t blame them one iota for enjoying a few cocktails at the end of their crazy days (which, I imagine, never really have a true end or beginning…).

Bronx Cocktail recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com

The Bronx Martini Cocktail

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1
This sweet gin and orange cocktail is
Save this recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Ingredients 

  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz orange juice
  • 1/2 oz dry vermouth
  • 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
  • 2-3 drops orange or grapefruit bitters

Instructions 

  • Shake with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange or lemon twist.

Nutrition

Calories: 184kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 0.2g, Fat: 0.1g, Saturated Fat: 0.01g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 58mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 57IU, Vitamin C: 14mg, Calcium: 3mg, Iron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

Bronx Cocktail recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com

Have you ever tried the Bronx Cocktail or something similar? Which President do you align with in terms of cocktail policy preference? 

Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

About Marlynn

I'm a cookbook author, recipe developer, photographer, WSET 2 Certified wine pro, mom of two, and dog lover. I'm here to help you with fast, easy, and delicious recipes, food & wine pairings, cooking & baking tips, plus food and wine travel guides.

5 from 1 vote

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

49 Comments

  1. Robin G. says:

    I’m liking this one!!! President Taft knew how to treat his guests, brunch and a delicious cocktail!!

    Penn&Quill || Robin

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      I bet he had some really happening meetings with these! :) Thank you, Robin!

  2. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    I’m a total gin girl! Love that this drink includes a few dashes of bitter – they make a cocktail so great!

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      The bitters are always a good addition, and I do love grapefruit bitters in this one, but standard aromatic bitters work too! :-)

  3. Danielle Greco says:

    This sounds delicious. I would love the hint of grapefruit in it! Haha ya Valentine’s Day and drinks seem to go hand in hand , we had too many last night ☺️. Great post
    Danielle Greco | AccordingtoD.com

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      Thanks so much, Danielle!

  4. lisa says:

    That looks DELICIOUS, and you know this Mommy Needs a Vodka break…and a gin break…and a rum break! I’ll be trying this out next girls night in! That color is beautiful. Your pictures are lovely and really make the drink look divine. And it seems so easy!

    We just posted a new cocktail too – the Red Headed Step Child?

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      This would be great for a girls’ night in! Thank you so much, Lisa!

  5. Chrissa - Physical KItchness says:

    Oooooo I SO wish I wasn’t pregnant seeing this!!! Now I want and I can’t have. So not fair!!

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      Ahh I’ll have to have one for you, then, Chrissa! Until you can imbibe again ;) Congratulations, by the way!!

  6. Ashley says:

    I absolutely love how colorful this is! Totally not what I would think of for a presidential cocktail. Looks so delicious!

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      Right? I keep trying to picture Taft serving this at breakfast meetings and it seems so off, but it’s delicious, so I also get it ;) Thanks, Ashley!

  7. Andrea says:

    5 stars
    OK, not a Gin girl but I am guessing you can sub in Vodka:) I think JFK might be my favorite drinker nothing better than a Bloody Mary on a Saturday morning!

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      Yes, vodka is definitely a more than suitable substitute ;) Thanks, Andrea!

  8. Laurie says:

    What a pretty drink! I love this color. What a great idea for a post on President’s day!

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      Thanks so much, Laurie!

  9. Lara says:

    It sounds like JFK and I have a similar drink style ;-)
    This sounds delicious and I can’t wait to try it ou this weekend, and it’s so pretty too!

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      Great minds think (and drink?) alike! ;) Thank you, Lara!

  10. Sayantini says:

    I am not much into alcohol but this one looks so bright and tasty. Loved that color!

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      It is a bright and happy colorful cocktail! Thanks for stopping by, Sayantini!

  11. Nicole says:

    Love the look of the bronx cocktail, once I can enjoy the spring weather in my backyard this will definitely be a drink I have in my hand!

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      Ahh yes, I am longing for sunnier spring days when I can sit outside with one of these too!

  12. Michele Francisco says:

    I loved learning how the term cocktail came about! And this one looks fun, regardless of the time of day ;)

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      It’s so much fun to learn about the history of drinks! Thanks, Michele! :)

  13. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says:

    I’ve never heard of this, but I’m definitely going to try it out! It sounds fabulous (but for breakfast? That’s hardcore)! Great transition from Valentine’s Day! Enjoy the day off if you can :)

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      Haha – gin is a bit hardcore for breakfast for me as well, but I suppose it’s like a slightly more boozy mimosa, right? ;) Thanks, Patricia!

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      Thank you, Melissa!

  14. Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says:

    I have never made a cocktail before, but I would love to try sometime.

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      They’re pretty simple and easy to make at home — and delicious! :) Thanks for stopping by, Cathleen!

  15. Marye says:

    I am loving the color! This sounds delicious!

    1. Marlynn Jayme Schotland says:

      Thanks, Marye! It’s definitely bright and happy! :)