The Oriental Cocktail

Other Notes

Dubbed the 49th state during the "dry years", The American Bar at London's Savoy Hotel was a hip hot spot for American's seeking to avoid the repercussions of Prohibition. It was here, that the hotel's famous Mixmaster and cocktail pioneer Harry Craddock wrote the now legendary Savoy Cocktail Book. While penning his sacred writ, Craddock made an intriguing entry about one drink, The Oriental Cocktail, deemed worthy enough to repay a life debt. His note went something like this... "In August 1924, an American engineer nearly died of fever in the Philippines, and only the extraordinary devotion of Dr. B----- saved his life. As an act of gratitude, the engineer gave Dr. B----- the recipe of this cocktail."Dubbed the 49th state during the "dry years", The American Bar at London's Savoy Hotel was a hip hot spot for American's seeking to avoid the repercussions of Prohibition. It was here, that the hotel's famous Mixmaster and cocktail pioneer Harry Craddock wrote the now legendary Savoy Cocktail Book. While penning his sacred writ, Craddock made an intriguing entry about one drink, The Oriental Cocktail, deemed worthy enough to repay a life debt. His note went something like this... "In August 1924, an American engineer nearly died of fever in the Philippines, and only the extraordinary devotion of Dr. B----- saved his life. As an act of gratitude, the engineer gave Dr. B----- the recipe of this cocktail."