Picture this: New York City, right after prohibition ends. You’re at the Russian Tea Room and in walks the Gypsy Queen 🔮 The Gypsy Queen was a drink that emerged around 1935 at the Russian Tea Room in New York. Vodka had an air of exclusivity among the New York upper-class after prohibition ended. One of the first known signature vodka cocktails, the Gypsy Queen was made as a way to show your social status in the opulent Russian Tea Room. It was a slightly short-lived showing, since once World War II started Americans began showing their patriotism by drinking “home-grown” options like whiskey. Vodka mixed with Benedictine, angostura bitters and some orange oil makes this a simple, but complex drink. Even though the Benedictine is the first thing you notice, the addition of vodka is what allows the herbaceous liqueur to shine through.