Doctor No. 1

Doctor No. 1 c. 1948

Here's a toast from the cocktail archives that is absolutely perfect for our medically minded friends … although full disclaimer, alcohol is not actually healthy for you and the days of prescribing a real cocktail for what ails you are as long gone as this drink is old. Now that we have gotten that public service announcement out of the way, let’s enjoy the Dad-like pleasure that an actual doctor gets when he or she is asked by someone what kind of drink they are having. “What’s this? Well I’m glad you asked! Why, it’s just what the doctor ordered!” Maybe I’m the only one who does this. I don’t care.

I doctored it up a bit

I’ve made toasts with a few different medically themed mixtures over the years. The COVID pandemic brought out the best of these, with both the vintage Dr. Rieux and the modern classic Penicillin doing honors. This time we are going vintage again. The Doctor cocktail can be traced back to the pages of Hugo Ensslin’s revered tome, Recipes for Mixed Drinks, 1917, where it was a simple preparation of Swedish Punsch and lime. Many variations exist, although it seems to have always featured Swedish Punsch, that deliciously funky combination of rum, Batavia arrack, and spice made popular in the era of the eighteenth century shipping trade. In David Embury’s The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, 1948, he lists recipes for Doctor No 1 – 4, each with varying rations of Swedish Punsch, rum, and citrus juices. I’ve hewn close to the No 1 original, as described in Difford’s Guide, and do not regret it. Cheers!

these are just what I ordered!

Doctor

45 cl white rum

40 cl Swedish Punsch

 5 cl lemon

 5 cl orange

4 dashes bitters

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Orange twist.

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