Skip to content

Betsy Ross, Swank Cocktail #15

🏠 » Cocktails » Swank Cocktail Guide: 80 cocktails in 80 days

Betsy Ross cocktail recipe
Betsy Ross cocktail recipe

The Betsy Ross is cocktail number 15 on the Swank Cocktail Guide.

Betsy Ross cocktail history

Elizabeth Griscom Ross Ashburn Claypoole (1752-1836), better known as Betsy Ross, may or may not have created the first American flag (historians typically go with the latter) .

Regardless of the historical accuracy of the flag story, people liked it, and the “Betsy Ross” name was used in a variety of products, including a china pattern, cigars, bread, and fruit cocktail.

"Syracuse China, Betsy Ross Pattern,” newspaper advertisement, The Centralia Enterprise and Tribune (Centrailia, Wisconsin), 11 Jan 1890, p. 11, col. 1.
“Syracuse China, Betsy Ross Pattern,” newspaper advertisement, The Centralia Enterprise and Tribune (Centrailia, Wisconsin), 11 Jan 1890, p. 11, col. 1.
Lloyd Balderston, Ph.D., The Evolution of the American Flag (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : Ferris & Leach, 1917).
Lloyd Balderston, Ph.D., The Evolution of the American Flag (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : Ferris & Leach, 1917), The Flag House.
"Betsy Ross Cigar,” newspaper advertisement, The Belleville Telescope (Belleville, Kansas), 18 Aug 1905, p. 8, col. 5.
“Betsy Ross Cigar,” newspaper advertisement, The Belleville Telescope (Belleville, Kansas), 18 Aug 1905, p. 8, col. 5.
"Betsy Ross Fruit Nut Bread,” newspaper advertisement, Morning Register (Eugene, Oregon), 6 Feb 1927, p. 6, col. 1.
“Betsy Ross Fruit Nut Bread,” newspaper advertisement, Morning Register (Eugene, Oregon), 6 Feb 1927, p. 6, col. 1.
"Betsy Ross Fruit Cocktail,” newspaper advertisement, The Berkshire County Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), 23 Dec 1943, p. 1, col. 2.
“Betsy Ross Fruit Cocktail,” newspaper advertisement, The Berkshire County Eagle (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), 23 Dec 1943, p. 1, col. 2.

So, it should come as no surprise that along the way, a cocktail was named after the famed upholsteress.

While the origin of the Betsy Ross cocktail appears to be unknown, the recipe began to be included in bar guides by 1940 and, by 1944, was being used in newspaper advertisements.

“Betsy Ross Cocktail,” newspaper advertisement, Xenia Daily Gazette (Xenia, Ohio), 24 Oct 1944, p. 1., col. 3.
“Betsy Ross Cocktail,” newspaper advertisement, Xenia Daily Gazette (Xenia, Ohio), 24 Oct 1944, p. 1., col. 3.

Betsy Ross cocktail recipe

Betsy Ross cocktail recipe
Betsy Ross cocktail recipe

1 jigger Brandy, 1 jigger Port, 2 dashes Angostura Bitters, 1 dash Curacao. Stir well with ice and strain into large Cocktail glass.

Betsy Ross cocktail review

Our ratings (1-5 🍸) Rating scale

Greg: 🍸🍸🍸
Kim: 🍸🍸🍸

A rather intense cocktail, while drinkable, we both agreed we’d rather have just had the port on it’s own. It also needs some sort of food as an accompaniment; nuts worked for us.

Next up….Cocktail #16, Between the Sheets

Swank Cocktail Guide: 80 cocktails in 80 days

Press and guest articles

1890 New Bedford Photo Album featured in South Coast Today | Standard-Times
MyHeritage Guest Article by Kimberli Faulkner Hull
MyHeritage Guest Article by Kimberli Faulkner Hull

Cocktails

Collection projects