Now that we’re getting into the hottest part of the summer, we could all use a refreshing cocktail to get us through the heat waves. The Chilton is a perfect summer refresher: simple, sophisticated, and delicious. Not only that, it’s widely believed that this cocktail originated in Lubbock, Texas.
Supposedly, many years ago a man called Dr. Chilton went to the Lubbock Country Club and asked the bartender to squeeze two lemons into a shot of vodka, rim the glass with salt, and top it off with club soda and a lemon garnish. A simple request, and perhaps the birth of this classic cocktail. Unfortunately, there’s no clear record of whether or not Dr. Chilton is a real person or merely a character of legend. One thing is for certain, though: the Chilton itself is an elegant and refreshing beverage, easy to mix up and even easier to drink.
With only three key ingredients, the Chilton is citrusy, bubbly, and refreshing. The salted rim provides a nice kick to balance out the lemon and soda water. It’s reminiscent of a lemon-flavored sparkling water, but with that extra bite from the vodka.
