Billionaire Drinks: Cocktails for Those Who Gamble Big

High-stakes gambling has always had a certain mystique around the way it's played by its enthusiasts. The quiet shuffle of cards, the muted glow of gold-trimmed lounges and the steady calm of players who tend to risk more in one night than many can earn in a lifetime. In these spaces, ambience is quite important and the organizers usually ensure that the mood is set and pleasant enough for players to gamble for long periods. Most often, players like to have a drink in hand as refreshment, and this simple act has become a sort of status symbol or ritual that aids performance or boosts the psychology of the gameplay.

The culture of luxury cocktails has grown alongside the world of elite gambling and as such inspired a certain level of exclusivity, rarity, and the drama of taking risks. Even today, this gambling world is echoed in premium hospitality experiences and the curated reviews of real money casinos Canada, where high rollers look for environments that match the sophistication of their tastes.

All these beg the question: What are the cocktails that the elite take while gambling? What drinks do they take when they need to think deeper and come up with a winning strategy? To answer this, we have put together a sophisticated and well-curated list.

Top 5 Cocktails That The 1% of Gamblers Drink

Here are the top 5 drinks to order when next you are playing high stakes games:

1. The Millionaire’s Manhattan

At the top of our list is the Millionaire’s Manhattan, which is the version of the classic Manhattan that's made for the high rollers. Since this is for the elite, some of Manhattan's ingredients are replaced with high end options. The popular option is to use decade old or aged premium Rye whiskey as the base due to its warm and spicy feel. Then there’s the introduction of Vermouth which is usually also aged. Then for the finishing touch, a single, preserved black cherry that would usually cost more than some drinks is added. 

The addition of these new entrants elevates the cocktail from being just a cocktail to something more of a performance booster. Most casinos would serve this with a slow pour, and the scent of oak coupled with the weight of the glass is enough to lift the mood of the gambler. In the words of American writer, Elsa Maxwell, “Cocktails are society’s most enduring invention.”

2. The High-Roller Old Fashioned

At the top and exclusive gambling rooms from Macau to Monte Carlo, there's one drink that would raise brows or get you a nod among cocktail lovers, and that's the Old Fashioned. But to take the stakes higher, you order the high-stakes version of the drink. This variant is made with aged bourbon that is infused with rare wood smoke.

High roller would always have handcrafted syrup made from raw Demerara sugar and a finishing touch of top-quality bitters. Most bartenders have different ways of making their’s top-tier based on the components. Some use orange oils while others add edible gold flakes.

3. The Caviar Martini

For those who want to make a statement, the Caviar Martini is a great pick, as it's a neck turner. This variant of the Martini requires the use of Premium vodka or gin as the base. However, the gin has to be well distilled so that it doesn't leave any burn. Most recipes also require the use of Vermouth to give it a more distinct feel. Then Castelvetrano olives are used as a bridge on the glass where the Caviar would be placed.

4. The Royal Flush Spritz

A newer addition to the billionaire cocktail scene is the Royal Flush Spritz that blends lightness and luxury. This drink is made with Crown Royal Canadian Whisky, Peach Schnapps and Cranberry juice. To give it a befitting look, it is typically topped with a splash of Japanese plum wine and served over crystal-clear ice.

A Maraschino Cherry can be added as a garnish to bring the drink together. The name of the drink makes it popular among card players, particularly those in high-limit rooms where the energy shifts between quiet calculation and sudden success.

5. The Billionaire’s Negroni

Every cocktail lover knows that the Negroni is a top pick when it comes to gambling drinks. This cocktail which is one part gin, one part vermouth, one part Campari is still regarded for its world famous renown. However, when it comes to this variant, standard gin is replaced with top shelf spirits and the Campari is usually infused with rare citrus peels. All this makes the drink sharp, intense and quite complex.

Conclusion

In the end, the choice and variant of any drink is based on what the bartender is offering. And just like American Author, Irma S. Rombauer said, “Most cocktails today are made with gin and ingenuity.”

But if you are looking to get a cocktail that gives the feel of the 1% of gamblers, then any of the above listed cocktails should get the job done.