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CLASSIC COCKTAIL · 1800–1849

Sherry Cobbler

A Victorian thirst-quencher: dry sherry, sugar and crushed ice, dressed with citrus and berries.

1830sHistorical classicResearched
Abstract illustration of a Sherry Cobbler: a stemmed goblet packed with crushed ice, amber sherry, an orange wheel, berries and a straw
Bartender Stories illustration · Classic Cocktail Archive
HISTORY

The Sherry Cobbler emerged in the 1830s and by the end of that decade had overtaken the Mint Julep as America’s favourite tavern drink. David Wondrich traced the earliest known reference to the 1838 diary of Katherine Jane Ellice, who discovered it while touring upstate New York resorts. Served over crushed ice with a straw, it helped popularise both; Jerry Thomas included it in his 1862 Bar-Tender’s Guide and it drew crowds to American bars at the 1867 Paris Exposition.

THE RECIPELight, fruity and refreshing

Ingredients

  • Amontillado sherry90 ml
  • Simple syrup15 ml
  • Orange wheel1
  • Berriesto garnish
  • Crushed iceto fill

Method

Build the sherry and syrup in a goblet, fill with crushed ice and stir until chilled. Top with more ice, an orange wheel, a few berries and a straw.

Goblet · crushed ice · orange and berries · straw

KEEP EXPLORING

One drink is never
the whole story.

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