Citrus, spice, prickly, aromatic
Hefty spice makes this complex sipper a winning match for fall foods, like squash or anything with apples.
Some people associate this drink with The Wizard of Oz, but more likely the name derives from the Britishism “twisting the lion’s tail,” which means to stir up trouble. This cocktail strangely combines whiskey and lime with allspice dram (also called pimento dram), so we wouldn’t be surprised if it harkens from an older age entirely. It looks god awful on paper but give it a try—you’ll see, my pretty, and your little dog, too! This is another drink that owes its reappearance to cocktail archaeologist Ted Haigh.
2 ounces (60 ml) bourbon (Buffalo Trace)
½ teaspoon (15 ml) allspice dram (St. Elizabeth)
¾ ounce (22 ml) fresh lime juice
½ ounce (15 ml) simple syrup (page 241)
Lime peel, for garnish
Dash of bitters (Angostura)
Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with lime peel on the rim of the glass.