The Cab Cocktail Recipe
The Cab Nutrition Facts
Calories:~220
Fat:0g
Protein:0g
Carbohydrates:~18g
Alcohol:~15%
Created by
Nic Polotnianko
I fell in love with the art of mixology 6 years ago. Since then, I've honed my skills, crafting a myriad of cocktail recipes, and sharing my passion with other enthusiasts.
Last Updated: August 23, 2024
Contents
History
The Cab is a modern twist on classic sophistication. It's a cocktail that embodies the spirit of a bygone era, yet feels perfectly at home in contemporary settings.
- Inspiration: The drink takes its cues from the classic Champagne cocktail, with a nod to the rich warmth of Cognac.
- Popularity: It's favored by those who appreciate a touch of luxury and a connection to the past.
- Occasions: Perfect for celebrations or a refined nightcap.
How The Cab Tastes?
The Cab is a harmonious blend of bubbly effervescence and deep, mellow smoothness. The Cognac provides a rich base, while the lime juice adds a sharp, refreshing zing. The sugar syrup balances the tartness with a sweet silkiness, and the mint leaves impart a subtle, cool complexity. The Angostura bitters give a hint of spice, and the champagne tops it off with a festive fizz.
Interesting facts about The Cab
- Mint leaves should be gently muddled to release their essential oils, not shredded.
- The Cab is often associated with celebratory events, making it a popular choice for toasts and special occasions.
- The choice of Cognac can significantly influence the cocktail's flavor profile, with older Cognacs imparting a more complex taste.
Ingredients
- Cognac: 1.5 oz(45ml)
- Lime juice: 0.75 oz(23ml)
- Sugar syrup 'rich': 1.5 oz(45ml)
- Mint leaves: 8 each
- Angostura aromatic bitters: 2 dashes
- Brut champagne: 1.5 oz(45ml)
Cognac
Why 1.5 oz? It's the soul of 'The Cab', providing a robust base without overwhelming the other flavors. Too much, you overshadow the nuances. Too little, the drink loses its backbone. Without it? You'd miss the rich, oaky depth that sets the stage for the cocktail. Alternatives? Armagnac for a similar profile, or bourbon for a sweeter twist.
Emma Rose
Lime Juice
At 0.75 oz, it cuts through the sweetness and provides balance. It's the zesty counterpoint to the Cognac’s smoothness. Leave it out, and your cocktail might be cloyingly sweet. Overdo it, and you're puckering up for the wrong reasons. Substitute? Lemon juice for a different tangy take.
Mary Mitkina
'Rich' Sugar Syrup
1.5 oz of this sweetener is just right to blend harmoniously with the acidity. 'Rich' indicates a higher sugar-to-water ratio, giving the cocktail a velvety texture. Skimp on it, and you might find the cocktail too tart; too much, and you risk a sugar rush. Other options? Regular simple syrup for a lighter sweetness, or honey syrup for a floral note.
Alex Green
Mint Leaves
Eight is the magic number to impart a subtle freshness without turning your cocktail into a garden salad. They're muddled to express their oils, which gently perfume the drink. No mint, no merry menthol to lighten the mix. Variation? Basil for an earthier undertone or rosemary for a piney zest.
Emma Rose
Angostura Aromatic Bitters
Just the right amount of spice with 2 dashes. It's the cocktail's compass—it gives direction to the drink's flavor profile. Forget these, and you'll lose layers of complexity. Overdo it, and the spice might hijack the experience. Swap? Orange bitters for a citrusy depth or chocolate bitters for a dessert-like quality.
Mary Mitkina
Brut Champagne
A bubbly charm, 1.5 oz to crown the cocktail and add a sophisticated fizz. It balances the drink's richness with a crisp finish. Without the champagne, you'd miss out on that celebratory pop. Add too much, and the nuanced flavors of the other ingredients could be diluted. Alternative? Prosecco for a sweeter sparkle, or soda water for a lighter touch with no alcohol content.
Alex Green
Recipe. How to make The Cab Drink
- Chill your glass in the freezer.
- Muddle the mint leaves gently in the shaker.
- Add Cognac, lime juice, rich sugar syrup, and Angostura bitters to the shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously.
- Fine strain into the chilled glass.
- Top with chilled Brut champagne.
- Garnish with a mint sprig or a lime twist.
Pro Tips
- Temperature: Serve The Cab as cold as possible without diluting it too much.
- Mint: Slap the mint gently before garnishing to release more aroma.
- Balance: Adjust the lime juice and syrup to your taste for the perfect balance of sweet and sour.
Perfect Pairings
Food Pairings
- Cheese Platters: The nuttiness of Cognac complements a variety of cheeses, especially aged ones.
- Seafood: The acidity of lime juice and the effervescence of champagne make it a good match for oysters or shrimp.
- Poultry: A dish with a citrus-infused sauce would pair nicely with the cocktail's bright flavors.
Desserts
- Fruit Tarts: The sweet and tart flavors can accentuate the fruitiness in both the dessert and the cocktail.
- Dark Chocolate: The complexity of Cognac can enhance the experience of enjoying rich, dark chocolate.
Drinks
- Mineral Water: To cleanse the palate between sips of the cocktail.
- Coffee: After the cocktail, a strong coffee could be interesting to balance the sweet and complex flavors of 'The Cab'.
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What you could change in The Cab
- Cognac: Any good quality brandy can be used if Cognac is not available.
- Champagne: Prosecco or another dry sparkling wine can substitute for Brut champagne.
- Sugar Syrup: If 'rich' syrup is not on hand, a standard simple syrup will suffice, though the sweetness may need adjustment.
Explore all drinks starting with T here
And of course - twists🍹
Blackberry Cab
- Ingredients: Substitute lime juice with lemon juice for a different tangy flavor. Add a handful of blackberries to the muddle.
- Recipe: Muddle the blackberries and mint leaves together. Follow the original recipe but with lemon juice instead of lime juice.
- Flavor Profile: The blackberries add a fruity sweetness and a deep purple hue, complementing the earthy notes of the cognac.
Cabaret Fizz
- Ingredients: Add an egg white to the shaker for a frothy texture.
- Recipe: After adding all original ingredients, include the egg white and perform a dry shake (no ice) to emulsify, then add ice and shake again before straining.
- Flavor Profile: The egg white introduces a silky mouthfeel and a lovely foam top, making for a richer tasting experience.
Sparkling Rose Cab
- Ingredients: Use a rose-infused simple syrup and replace Brut champagne with sparkling rosé.
- Recipe: Prepare rose-infused simple syrup in advance. Use this instead of rich sugar syrup and top with sparkling rosé instead of champagne.
- Flavor Profile: This twist brings a floral sweetness and a touch of romance with the pink sparkling rosé, giving the cocktail a blush color and an elegant aroma.
In case you forgot basics how to make The Cab
Add your ingredients to the shaker first, then ice. Fill it up to ¾ of its capacity to ensure enough space for shaking. Hold the shaker with both hands (one on the top and one on the bottom) and shake vigorously. The shake should come from your shoulders, not your wrists.
Learn everything on how to shakePlace your chosen strainer on top of the shaker or mixing glass, ensuring a secure fit. Pour the cocktail into a glass through the strainer, which will catch solid ingredients and ice. If double straining, hold the fine mesh strainer between the shaker and the glass.
Learn everything on how to strainThe key to proper muddling is to crush the ingredients just enough to release their flavors and not overdo it. Over-muddling can result in a bitter taste, especially with herbs.
Learn everything on how to muddleGarnishing a bar drink depends on the type of garnish and the cocktail. Generally, it involves preparing the garnish (like cutting a citrus wheel or picking a sprig of mint), and then adding it to the drink in a visually appealing way (like perching it on the rim or floating it on top).
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Frequently Asked Questions on The Cab
How do you properly chill a glass for The Cab cocktail?
Place the glass in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes, or fill it with ice water and let it sit while you prepare the cocktail ingredients, then empty it before use.
What is the best time of year to enjoy The Cab?
While The Cab can be enjoyed year-round, its effervescent and refreshing nature makes it particularly suitable for warm summer evenings or festive occasions.
Is The Cab suitable for those who prefer less alcoholic drinks?
The Cab is relatively strong due to its Cognac and champagne content, but you can adjust the proportion of alcohol to suit your preference, or opt for a mocktail version with non-alcoholic substitutes.
Can The Cab be batched for parties?
Yes, you can pre-mix the Cognac, lime juice, sugar syrup, and Angostura bitters in a batch. Add fresh mint and champagne just before serving to retain the fizz and freshness.
What type of Cognac is best suited for The Cab?
A VS or VSOP Cognac is typically used for cocktails, offering a good balance between quality and price without overshadowing the other ingredients.
What are some commonly made mistakes when making The Cab?
Over-muddling the mint, which can impart bitterness, or using too much sugar syrup, which can overly sweeten the cocktail, are common errors to avoid.
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