Brown Derby

Old Hollywood in a glass.

photo: Daniel Krieger
brown derby cocktail recipe daniel krieger

Born at the posh address of Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, the Brown Derby is a vestige of 1930s glitz and glamour. The heady mix of bourbon, grapefruit and honey was created at Hollywood Reporter founder and playboy Billy Wilkerson’s Vendôme Club—one of the first celebrity-driven restaurants to appear on the Sunset Strip. The drink was named in honor of a nearby restaurant, the Brown Derby, which was actually built in the shape of a rotund derby hat.

Ingredients

Serving: 1

  • 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
  • 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
  • 3/4 ounce grapefruit juice
  • 3/4 ounce grapefruit juice
  • 3/4 ounce honey syrup (2:1, honey:water)
  • 3/4 ounce honey syrup (2:1, honey:water)

Garnish: grapefruit twist

Directions
  1. Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
  2. Add ice and shake until chilled.
  3. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
  4. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.

Tagged: Billy Wilkerson, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Sunset Strip, Vendome Club

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