Bishop
Alcoholic cocktail
Category : Alcoolisé
Origin : Londres
Ingredients of the Bishop cocktail
Preparation of the Bishop cocktail
In a glass, add crushed ice, powdered sugar, the juice of half an orange and a quarter of a lemon. Add the rum. Top up with red wine. Stir, then garnish with an orange slice. You can also replace the red wine with champagne to make a "Cardinal Bishop", or with port to make an "American Bishop".
History of the Bishop cocktail
The Bishop belongs to the great family of wine-based cocktails, long present in the Anglo-Saxon and European tradition of drinks combining spirits, fruit, and wine. Its origins are associated with London, an urban setting where “punchy” drinks and cellar blends have long circulated in social circles, from taverns to more fashionable gatherings. As with many old cocktails, its exact history remains partly unclear, but its composition places it within a tradition of seasonal drinks designed to soften a red wine with citrus, sugar, and a base spirit.
What defines the Bishop is the balance between the warmth of red wine and the brightness of citrus fruits — orange and lemon — enhanced by the sweetness of powdered sugar and the subtle aromatic strength of white rum. The presence of crushed ice also places the drink within a more modern aesthetic of chilled service, contrasting with its deeply traditional character. The result evokes a cocktail that is both simple and structured, where the fruit does not mask the wine but accompanies it, in the spirit of British drinks that have long sought to make wine more accessible and more festive.