"I don't feel tardy..."
For this week's CoW [the first installment in nearly two years], the amateur mixologists at Ted Perez chose to sample the Ward Eight - a slightly sweet libation that has been linked to New York, Boston and Scotland. A cocktail dating back to the late 1800s, the Ted Perez rendition relies upon components from Esquire magazine, the PDT Cocktail Book's representation of The Cocktail Book: A Sideboard Manual for Gentlemen.
The preferred recipe was made with High West Rendezvous Rye [Batch No: 12B21/Bottle No: 2791]. Rather than employing the traditional Rose's Grenadine, this recipe calls for the more refined Pomegranate Simple Syrup from The Sonoma Syrup Company. Most recipes call for a maraschino cherry or orange wedge to garnish - here you'll see a rough lemon twist which heightens a tarter citrus profile and cuts the sweetness.
The final recipe:
• 2oz High West Rendezvous Rye Whiskey
• .5oz fresh squeezed orange juice
• .25oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 generous teaspoonful pomegranate simple syrup
• a splash of sparkling water
• 1 lemon twist
Place orange and lemon juices, pomegranate simple syrup and, lastly, the HWR Rye to shaker.
Add two cubes of ice/cocktail and shake for a minimum of 10, but no more than 20, seconds.
Pour into chilled glass with one large ice cube and add lemon twist.