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A vestige of Prohibition, the Lion’s Tail cocktail is a ferocious fusion of bourbon, allspice dram, lime juice, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters. Sure, it sounds outlandish. After all, lime rarely mingles with bourbon. Plus, allspice dram (a liqueur made with rum, pimento berries, and spices) isn’t something most folks have hiding in their cupboards. However, when all of these ingredients coalesce, it tastes like Christmas in a coupe glass.
Bar Tools
- Jigger or small measuring cup
- Cocktail shaker
- Paring knife
To serve: Serve in a Coupe glass.
Ingredients
- 2 oz. bourbon
- ½ oz. allspice dram
- ½ oz. lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp. (1 barspoon) rich simple syrup (two parts sugar to one part water)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
To garnish: Garnish with an orange twist.
How to Make
To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add the bourbon, allspice dram, lime juice, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters. Shake until well-chilled and then strain into a coupe glass. To make the garnish, hold an orange in your palm and carefully cut along the top or bottom to create a twist. To serve, you have two options: Perch the orange twist on the rim or lightly express the orange oil over the top of the drink and discard.
Nutritional Facts and ABV
- ABV (alcohol by volume): 22.4%
- Calories: 200
- Total carbohydrates: 9.4 grams
- Total sugar: 8.1 grams
History
According to The Café Royal Cocktail Book, a collection of recipes published by the United Kingdom Bartenders Guild in 1937, the Lion’s Tail was invented by a mysterious mixologist named L.A. Clarke. Though we know little beyond that, many assume Mr. or Mrs. Clarke to be American. Their rationale: The cocktail’s sobriquet alludes to “twisting the lion’s tail,” or testing the waning patience of the British.
No matter its origins, this zesty drink peaked in popularity in the mid-20th century before falling off the map completely. But the Lion’s Tail became trendy once again when St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram arrived stateside in 2008. Renewed interest in Ted Haigh’s Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails also bolstered the cocktail’s street cred.
FAQ
What kind of bourbon should I use?
You could opt for bottom-shelf booze, but we recommend Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Floral on the nose with flavors of white pepper and orange peel, this spirit amplifies the festive flourish of the allspice dram.
Where can I find allspice dram?
In the latter part of the 20th century, allspice dram was well-nigh impossible to find. Save for a few retailers in Jamaica, the liqueur was obsolete. Luckily, most gourmet cocktail shops now carry St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram. You can also find it online.
