In my continuing exploration of Forgotten Cocktails, I came across the Barnum (Was Right) Cocktail.  I’m not sure whether one is supposed to call it a Barnum or give it the full Was Right treatment.

I was completely taken with the drink; it’s now my favorite, both in its original form and in my tweak of it.

Barnum Cocktail

• 2 oz. gin
• 1 oz. apricot brandy
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Shake with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, garnish with lemon twist.

Very very nice.

Since the Lovely First Wife doesn’t care for gin (although she liked this drink), I tried it with vodka and Peychaud’s bitters for a slightly rounder taste.  It’s OK with this variation, but if you use Karlsson’s Gold vodka, then you really have something.  The earthy tones of the Karlsson’s completely fill out the flavor.