So I figured it was time to revisit Ted Haigh’s Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails, to continue the cocktail journey through the ages.
Flipping through the pages, I was initially drawn to the Corpse Reviver #2 (feeling a little logey tonight and all!), but I figured I would rather try one of the cocktails I’ve never had before.
Side note here: if you haven’t had a Corpse Reviver #2, go make one — now! They are very tasty!
Even though it was nice and bright and sunny, I was hankering after brown spirits, so I ended up settling on the Lion’s Tail. This cocktail makes use of Pimento Dram (which I had recently made a batch of. According to Ted Haigh, lore has it that this was first published in London in 1937, with the creator thought to be a cocktail refugee from the American prohibition.
This is a slightly sweeter cocktail, where the spiciness of the Pimento Dram complements the sweetness of the bourbon, (I used Knob Creek for this cocktail). I also substituted Jerry Thomas Bitters for the Angostura, just because I thought they might go well. Definitely tastes like another, and even Jeff (not a huge cocktail afficionado) gave it two thumbs up!
The Lion’s Tale (from Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails)
- 2 oz. bourbon
- 3/4 oz. Pimento dram
- 1/2 oz. lime juice
- 1/2 tablespoon simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Shake with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass
