Culinary Heritage

The Hot Brown

With so much to boast about - award-winning dining; breathtaking turn-of-the-century architecture; attentive, caring service - some may wonder: "Why the Hot Brown?" Here is the history behind this now legendary dish.

In the 1920s, the Brown Hotel drew over 1,200 guests each evening for its dinner dance. By the wee hours of the morning, guests would grow weary of dancing and make their way to the restaurant for a bite to eat. Sensing their desire for something more glamorous than traditional ham and eggs, Chef Fred Schmidt set out to create something new to tempt his guests' palates. His unique dish? An open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon and a delicate Mornay sauce. The Hot Brown was born!

Available in the restaurants, bar, and through in-room dining, the Hot Brown continues to exemplify the unending dedication to serving guests. Such culinary prowess and commitment, of course, doesn’t go unnoticed. The Hot Brown, a Louisville tradition with worldwide appeal, has been featured in Southern Living, The Los Angeles Times, NBC's Today Show, ABC News with Diane Sawyer, Travel Channel's Man v. Food, and The Wall Street Journal, and is a regular entry in many of the world’s finest cookbooks.

The Legendary Hot Brown Recipe

• 1 1/2 tablespoons salted butter
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, plus extra for garnish
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• Salt and pepper
• 14 oz. sliced roasted turkey breast, slice thick
• 4 slices of Texas toast (crusts trimmed)
• 4 slices of bacon
• 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced in half
• Paprika
• Parsley

In a two-quart saucepan, melt butter and slowly whisk in flour until combined to form a thick paste or roux. Continue to cook roux for 2 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Whisk heavy cream into the roux and cook over medium heat until the cream begins to simmer, about 2-3 minutes. Remove sauce from heat and slowly whisk in Pecorino-Romano cheese until the Mornay sauce is smooth. Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.

For each Hot Brown, place one slice of toast in an oven safe dish and cover with 7 oz. turkey. Take the two halves of Roma tomato and two toast points and set them alongside the base of turkey and toast. Pour half of the sauce over the dish, completely covering it. Sprinkle with additional cheese. Place entire dish under a broiler until cheese begins to brown and bubble. Remove and cross two pieces of crispy bacon on top. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley and serve immediately.

The Ali Smash

The Brown Hotel serves an original cocktail, the Ali Smash, named after legendary boxer Mohammed Ali, who was a frequent guest at the Brown Hotel as a young man. Legend has it that Louisville boxing coach Joseph Martin told young Ali, “You’re spicy as rye, but you might consider learning to fight before getting smashed.” Today, guests can spend the evening in the Ali Suite personally commemorated by The Greatest himself, Muhammad Ali. The Suite, lined with memorabilia donated by Muhammad Ali, is a testament to the Louisville legend. And like Ali, bourbon and rye whiskey call Louisville, and broader Kentucky, home. Seeking to be true to their Louisville heritage, The Brown Hotel uses Old Forester Rye Whiskey, the first bottled bourbon dating to 1870, in their Ali Smash recipe.

The Ali Smash Recipe
Ingredients

• 1.5 oz Old Forester Rye
• .5 oz PAMA Liquor
• 2 Lemon Wedges
• 6 Spearmint Leaves

Directions
In a glass or shaker tin, muddle mint leaves and 1 lemon wedge in PAMA liquor. Place mixture in shaking tin, with a small scoop of ice and Old Forester Rye. Shake until chilled and pour until a rocks glass. Add the other wedge of lemon and enjoy!