In the summer of 2007, Esquire Magazine held a competition for its readers to create a cocktail worthy of the name ‘Esquire’ and the winner, I have to say is a pretty damn good drink. Created by a fella named Phil Broadhead of Jackson, Mississippi, the judges in the competition described it as ‘elegant yet broad shouldered’. The Esquire is loosely based on the 1800’s cocktail named ‘Ward Eight’, and this bourbon cocktail is one of my new favorites.
The ‘Ward Eight’ (for a little history) was concocted to help celebrate the political victory of Martin Lomasney to the Massachusetts State Legislature in 1896. Lomasney was a powerful political figure in Boston’s West End for over 40 years, so having a great cocktail named to celebrate your victory is well earned.
Ironically, the ‘Ward Eight’ cocktail name was trademarked back in 1912 by the Santa Clara Company. I guess this explains why I’ve never seen the ‘Ward Eight’ on any cocktail menus, which is sad I must say because it’s an awesome drink. Well, maybe not as good a drink as ‘The Esquire’, but still pretty good. To me, the addition of grenadine to the ‘Ward Eight’ makes it a little too sweet for my tastes, but I will put both recipes up for you to try.
Here are the recipes for Ward Eight and The Esquire, please try them both and let me know what you think…
Ward Eight
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 Ounce Rye Whiskey
- ½ Ounce Lemon Juice
- ½ Ounce Orange Juice
- 1 Teaspoon Grenadine
- 1 Maraschino Cherry as a garnish
PROCESS:
-Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass
-Garnish with a maraschino cherry or a little paper flag of the State of Massachusetts
The Esquire
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 ¼ Ounces Bourbon Whiskey
- ¾ Ounce Grand Marnier
- 1 ½ Teaspoon Orange Juice
- 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 1-2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
PROCESS:
-Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, then strain into a chilled Martini glass
-Garnish with a curl of lemon rind
Cheers!
