Cockpit Cocktail

From the 1927 publication "Barflies and Cocktails" by "Harry & Wynn".

This recipe appears in the back section of the book, basically a "shout out" to members of the "I.B.F." (International Bar Flies) and their favorite drinks. The recipe is described as follows:

Ferdy Touhy, author of "The Cockpit of Peace," a lively collection of post-war chronicles with a boulevard background, believes in 1/6 Irish Whiskey, 1/6 Rye Whiskey, 1/3 Italian Vermouth, 1/3 French Vermouth. Try a "Cockpit' and you'll get cockeyed.


In addition to writing a few books on WWI, Ferdinand "Ferdy" Touhy was a Paris correspondent for "The New York World". A sharp wit, in 1923 he composed a popular song about the Fourth Assembly of the League of Nations: "THE SONG OF THE COUNCIL".

"Yes, we'll have no decisions, We'll have no decisions today— Our League of Nations Exists on foundations Of dodging, debates and delay. So with Europe dissolving We sit resolving That yes, we'll have no decisions, We'll have no decisions today—"

(Great satire has a timeless quality, don't you think?)

Here's Touhy's signature drink, the "Cockpit":

The Cockpit

1/2 oz Irish Whisky
1/2 oz Rye Whiskey
1 oz Italian Vermouth
1 oz French Vermouth

Stir and strain into a cocktail glass.

A dash of Angostura bitters and a lemon twist really bring out the flavors here nicely.

Suntory Sour

THE SUNTORY SOUR

I first became interested in putting this drink together after reading David Broom's new book "The World Atlas of Whisky" where I learned more about the Suntory company and Japanese whisky making in general. I decided maybe Midori deserved a second look and started plotting the Suntory Sour.

Easier said than done though as Midori is a rather challenging liqueur to balance. After many attempts with varied success I've settled on the following recipe which I think captures the character of a whisky sour and allows the Midori to play a role without proving too overpowering or cloying. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Ingredients

1.5 oz Yamazaki 12 Single Malt Whisky
.5 oz Suntory Midori Melon Liqueur
.5 oz Cointreau
.5 oz Lemon Juice (Fresh of course)

Instructions

Shake well with ice, strain (through fine weave strainer to remove the small ice particles) into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

(This would also make a great highball.)