The “Screwdriver” cocktail gained popularity due to its original name, rich history, as well as pleasant taste. The drink is recognized by the International Association of Bartenders and, according to the classification, belongs to the category “Unforgettable”.
Drink history
According to one version, the first mention of the Screwdriver cocktail appeared in Time magazine in the late 1940s. The article dealt with the relationship between engineers from the United States of America and agents from Turkey or Saudi Arabia. The publication also mentioned this cocktail.
In the Arab state, the Americans conducted work to search for oil fields. In the United States, the Prohibition was canceled by that time, and Saudi residents, while respecting Sharia law, on the contrary, abided by a strict ban on drinking alcohol. In order to somehow get out of this situation and relax after a hard day's work, the engineering workers came to the conclusion that it is possible to mask an alcoholic beverage with non-alcoholic orange juice. Oil workers painted over vodka with juice, which completely drowned out the aftertaste of alcohol, stirring the drink with an ordinary screwdriver. Which was the reason for the unusual name of the cocktail.
In addition, there is another version of the emergence of the cocktail screwdriver. Proceeding from it, the name “Screwdriver” (Eng. Screwdriver) came about due to the combination of two well-known terms that bartenders use in their everyday life: “screw” (orange juice) and “driver” (vodka). According to this option, there is also a possible author of the creation of the drink, whose name was John Martin. The man was distributing Smirnoff vodka and packaged orange juice from Florida in America.
Despite the fact that the reliable version of the emergence of the Screwdriver cocktail is not known, since the 70s of the last century, the drink began to occupy a leading position among orders in bars. At home, they began to cook it almost without exception. In addition, since the 90s, the drink has become so popular that the "Screwdriver" began to produce by an industrial method, packing in cans.
The composition of the cocktail "Screwdriver"
According to the recipe of the International Association of Bartenders, the cocktail is prepared quite simply. It consists of 50 ml of vodka, as well as 100 ml of orange juice. They serve a “Screwdriver” without any frills, using highball or collins for this.
Decorate the drink with an orange slice, cocktail cherry or bar decoration. They drink it, as a rule, with the help of a straw. In some bars, the cocktail is decorated with an elegant sugar edge, which is achieved by wetting the edges of the glass with a slice of ice, after which the glass is placed upside down on a plate with sugar.
Varieties of drink
In addition to the usual “Screwdrivers”, there are other recipes for making a cocktail with other ingredients. Some of them:
- in grapefruit cocktail, the main difference is the use of juice - orange is replaced with grapefruit;
- black "Screwdriver" - black British vodka is added to the drink instead of the usual transparent alcohol;
- in “Gimlet”, lime is added instead of orange juice, and vodka is replaced with gin .;
- Cuban cocktail “Screwdriver” - proportions 3: 1, while mixing orange juice and Cuban rum;
- A sound cocktail is created by mixing equal proportions of vodka, bright blue Blue Curacao liquor, and orange juice.
Any of the above cocktails is prepared simply and easily. To enjoy the “Screwdriver” it is not necessary to go to the bar and order it from a professional bartender. It is enough to use the proven recipe described in this article, and you can begin to prepare a cocktail at home.
Cocktail “Screwdriver”: recipe
Thanks to a simple recipe and unusual taste, the cocktail is still popular among young regulars of clubs, as well as lovers of light alcoholic drinks and pushes into the background even more sophisticated and aristocratic drinks.
For cooking, you need the following ingredients:
- vodka - 50 g;
- ice - 2 cubes;
- orange juice - 85 g;
- orange - 1 slice;
- wineglass.
Practical part
Begin the process of preparing a drink by filling the glass with ice cubes. In addition, to cool the glass, as an alternative, you can use the freezer. In this case, ice is not needed. Then add vodka and orange juice. Stir it all and nicely decorate with a slice of lemon or orange.
The drink is also remarkable for the fact that it can be prepared in advance in the required quantities. During the ceremony, it will be necessary to combine vodka and orange juice in the required proportions and for some time place the vessel with the cocktail in the refrigerator. When the invitees gather at the appointed time, the “Screwdriver” can simply be poured into ice-cooled glasses and decorated with slices of orange or lime.