Hidee Hidee Hi — The Minnie the Moocher

First recorded in 1931, Cab Calloway made “Minnie the Moocher” a classic song of the Jazz Age. Almost fifty years later, Calloway introduced the song to a new generation (including me) in the musical comedy film The Blues Brothers. The song includes a legendary call and response of scat singing (look it up) with phrases such as “hidee hidee hi.” The Minnie the Moocher cocktail appeared in Charlie Conolly’s book The World Famous Cotton Club: 1939 Book of Mixed Drinks, and Difford’s Guide introduced me to it.

The Minnie the Moocher

1 ounce gin
1 ounce dry vermouth
1 ounce Benedictine DOM
2-3 drops absinthe
2-3 dashes Angostura bitters

Combine in a mixing glass with ice, stir as if you’re the roughest toughest frail with a heart as big as a whale, and strain into a chilled glass, preferably a Nick and Nora.

With its combination of gin, dry vermouth, and Angostura bitters, the Minnie the Moocher starts as a juxtaposition of a Martini and Martinez. Add the Benedictine DOM, part of the Brainstorm, and a tiny amount of absinthe, a component of my When Ernest Met Mary and the Sazerac, and the Minnie the Moocher becomes an intriguing cocktail lady. If it’s too sweet for you, follow the lead of Difford’s Guide and have slightly more gin and vermouth, or follow my lead and go slightly heavier on the bitters.

So if you want the cocktail version of kicking the gong around, hail Cab’s spirit and have a Minnie the Moocher.