Income Tax

The INCOME TAX cocktail and its twin, the Bronx cocktail, are both in Harry Craddock’s 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book. The only difference in the two cocktails is the Angostura Bitters added to the Income Tax. Otherwise, both concoctions require two parts gin to one part sweet & dry vermouth. Orange juice was originally measured not in ounces or milliliters, but as fresh juice from one-quarter orange. Now, orange juice requirement varies, but is more commonly poured at three-quarter ounce, same as the two vermouth selections.

Requirements: dry gin, sweet vermouth (Italian preferred), dry vermouth (French preferred), fresh-squeezed orange juice, Angostura bitters, orange peel garnish

• 1.5 oz. dry gin
• 3/4 oz. dry vermouth
• 3/4 oz. sweet vermouth
• 3/4 oz. orange juice
• 1-2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 orange peel garnish

Add ingredients to an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled coup or cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel.

History: Relatively little is known about the history or why it was named the Income Tax. The Bronx cocktail was reportedly very popular during the 1920’s Prohibition party scene, but lost some of its popularity thereafter. Whether the Income Tax was created as commentary about needing a good drink after paying taxes, or whether adding the bitters reflects that time of year when tax returns must be prepared, no one knows.

Similar Cocktails:

Bronx Cocktail — https://keetscocktails.com/bronx-cocktail/

Absinthe Martini — https://keetscocktails.com/absinthe-martini-2/

Blue Train — https://keetscocktails.com/blue-train/

Flying Dutchman — https://keetscocktails.com/flying-dutchman-3/

Gibson — https://keetscocktails.com/gibson-2/