New York Gets Its Own Chapter of LUPEC (Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails)

lupec.org

In this renaissance of the classic cocktail, it seems only apt that several of the city's top female bartenders would get together to form a New York chapter of LUPEC, or Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails. Lynnette Marrero of cocktail consulting and catering firm Drinks at 6, Eryn Reece of Louis 649, Meaghan Dorman of Raines Law Room, and Katie Darling of White Star are among the founding members of the NYC chapter, which held its inaugural meeting yesterday. Marrero will act as president, but the chapter won't become active until the fall.

LUPEC's mission statement is to collect anachronistic recipes, and protect the integrity of classic cocktails, as well as to "create a secular 'coven-like' atmosphere in which Classy Broads of today can invoke and honor the spirits of their Forebroads," according to the organization's website.

So, what qualifies as an endangered cocktail? How about, in honor of independent women, a Widow's Kiss, first published in Modern American Drinks by George Kappeler in 1895?

Widow's Kiss

2 oz Calvados
1 oz Yellow Chartreuse
1 oz Benedictine
1 dash Angostura Bitters

In a shaker or mixing glass, combine the ingredients with ice. Stir vigorously, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass.