Be wary of a strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors… and miss. -Robert A. Heinlein

It started with the Bronx Cocktail, created in the early 1900s by Johnnie Solon at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. What we know is that during World War II, someone decided to add one to two dashes of Angostura bitters to the drink, and the Income Tax cocktail was born.

This variation gives the drink more depth and a spicy yet smoothed tang.

The Income Tax Cocktail
1 1/2 oz. gin
1/4 oz. dry vermouth
1/4 oz. sweet vermouth
1/2 oz. freshly-squeezed orange juice (preferably blood orange)
1 dash Angostura bitters

Add ingredients and cracked ice into cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into chilled martini glass. Use the peel of an orange as garnish (optional).

Be sure to use fresh-squeezed orange juice, not bottled orange juice; this makes all the difference. This is one drink you’ll be happy to finish, just like your income taxes.