The Saratoga Cocktail takes its name from Saratoga Springs, a city in New York State, the USA which became popular due to natural mineral baths.

During the 19th century, the hotels business grew and The Grand Union Hotel which began as a boarding house, built by Gideon Putnam in 1802, became a luxury hotel for the wealthy elite and turned into the world’s largest hotel before it was demolished in 1953.

This cocktail recipe can be traced to Jerry Thomas 1887 The Bartender’s Guide.