Stanton Social Italian Beverage Menu

The whiskey sour has remained popular since its introduction in Jerry Thomas’ very first Bon Vivant’s Companion in 1862 to present day. Sours do not categorically include egg white, but there is a strong historical tradition of using them for richer texture and smoothness.

The Old Fashioned, first described in 1806 as spirit, sugar, water, and bitters, faced reinvention by the 1880s when bartenders added curaçao, absinthe, and other liqueurs. Purists pushed back, calling for cocktails made ‘the old-fashioned way.’

The Tom Collins first appears in Jerry Thomas’ 1876 edition of A Bon Vivant’s Companion. One version of its origin is that it was named for a famous practical joke, the Tom Collins Hoax of 1874. Another is that a London headwaiter, John Collins, substituted Old Tom gin in a pinch.

London’s late-night Espresso Martini, re-cast with Sicilian depth from Averna and a whisper of mole bitters. Same taut silhouette, now with velvet texture and lingering spice.

The spritz grew from Venetian aperitivo culture into a global ritual of bubbles and bitters. Grapefruit and rose bring a modern bloom; verbena and mint keep it garden-fresh without losing that easy, pre-dinner lift.

The Basil Smash sprinted out of Hamburg in the 2000s and proved herbs could headline in cocktails. Single-estate vodka and bergamot tilt it clean and floral while cucumber keeps the pace cool and crisp.

Rum, lime, and sugar have been mixed in various ways since the 1700s. The Daiquiri is credited to Jennings Cox, an American engineer in Cuba, who improvised the drink in 1896 near the town of Daiquiri when his gin ran dry and he was forced to improvise.

The Paloma is a popular Mexican cocktail that dates back to the mid-20th century. It is traditionally made with tequila, grapefruit, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Meaning “Dove” in Spanish, it is said to symbolize peace and a sense of calmness.

Apertifs date back to 5th century Rome where they were used to whet the palate and ease the mind. Eventually the church warned against them in an attempt to temper sexual desire, which forced the ritual underground.