Whiskey Cock-Tail

Mark Twain

2 parts whiskey

1 part fresh lemon juice

Dash of Angostura Bitters

Pinch of caster (superfine) sugar

1 maraschino cherry, for garnish

Place the ingredients in a rocks glass, fill it with ice, and stir until chilled.

Garnish with the maraschino cherry.

In addition to writing about his drink-related frustrations in Paris (see pages 44 to 53), Twain had an affinity for his own version of a cocktail, one he first tasted abroad. He wrote to his wife: “Livy my darling, I want you to be sure and remember to have, in the bath-room, when I arrive, a bottle of Scotch whisky, a lemon, some crushed sugar, and a bottle of Angostura bitters. Ever since I have been in London I have taken in a wine glass what is called a cocktail (made with these ingredients) before breakfast, before dinner and before going to bed.”

Twain’s preferred drink is a Whiskey Sour without the egg white, which was apparently popular in London when he visited. This is a nice variation on the traditional drink, especially if you have an aversion to uncooked eggs in your drinks. Not that cooked eggs would be better, of course.