Nadia George
April 30, 2024
A recipe for the Casino first appears in JA Didier’s 1909 book The Reminder: An Up-to-Date Bartender’s Vest Pocket Guide. It’s a slim book, which can fit in a bartender’s vest pocket, with only recipes, omitting any history or backstory. T
The drink is later mentioned in Hugo Ensslin’s 1916 book Recipes For Mixed Drinks, which he wrote when he was working as head bartender at New York City’s Hotel Wallick.
Ingredients and method: 2 dashes Maraschino, 2 dashes Orange Bitters, 2 dashes Lemon juice, 1 drink of Old Tom, Stir well in a mixing glass with cracked ice, strain and serve with a cherry.
In his 1930 book The Savoy Cocktail Book, Harry Craddock repeats the recipe almost verbatim. Then in 1948, David Embury wrote about his version of the Casino, using orange juice instead of orange bitters.
1 part Maraschino, 1 part Lemon juice, 1 part Orange juice, 8 parts Gin; Follow directions for mixing the Aviation.
The sourness is complemented by the brighter fruit note of the Maraschino liqueur. Adding gin, Maraschino Luxardo with some lime juice and orange bitter; then straining it and serving it with lemon zest.