Post #424224 by paranoid123 on Tue, Dec 16, 2008 8:48 AM

A bit of Googling answered my own second question.

There is a bit of historic discrepancy as to who really invented the Fogcutter. Trader Vic is generally given credit for the Fogcutter, as his recipe appears on "Trader Vic's Bartender Guide" (1947) and on the "Grog Log". This recipe contains a float of sherry.

However, Tony Ramos, the well known barman, recalls that the Fogcutter was a signature drink at a Hollywood and La Brea bar called Edna Earle's Fogcutters, where it is named for a diving knife. This contains a float of cherry brandy.

Trader Vic's Fogcutter
2oz light Puerto Rican rum
1/2oz gin
1oz brandy
1oz orange juice
2oz lemon juice
1/2oz orgeat syrup
1/2oz sherry

Shake and strain into large glass of crushed ice (or vase as you will get in Trader Vics), float with sherry. Add mint.

Edna Fogcutters (by Tony Ramos)
1oz white rum
1/2oz gin
1/2oz brandy
1/2oz sweet and sour mix
2 dashes simple syrup
float of cherry brandy

Combine with ice and blend. Pour in goblet, float cherry brandy.

You can find this information on the book, "Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails" by Ted Haigh, aka Dr Cocktail.

I still don't know if there's any difference in the contemporary Samoan Fogcutter and the old TV Fogcutters.