The Ward Eight – Whiskey Cocktail

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Last Updated on June 6, 2023 by Leah Hall

A whiskey forward classic cocktail, the Ward Eight!

While sitting around watching the news and all of the political craziness that comes with an election year, we decided that we needed a drink to help make sense of it it all. While it is fun to come up with original cocktails, every now and then it is nice to grab one of our old bar books and pick a recipe out.

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Ward Eight

In this case we decided on a drink that was invented to celebrate the election of a politician from Boston’s notoriously corrupt Ward Eight.  It only seemed fitting that we should drink a cocktail that was founded on the nuttiness of election season, the Ward Eight.

Coupe (ours is vintage) / Citrus Reamer / Jigger

Legend has it that the Ward Eight was invented by a bartender at Boston‘s famed Locke-Ober. It was a restaurant where supporters of Martin Lomasney, the ward boss of Boston’s Eighth ward, frequently held court. Lomasney was a tough, influential politician.  He had headed up an Irish street gang was known for working the system and finding creative ways to get his constituents jobs and influence.

One night in 1898, they were celebrating Lomasney’s certain victory to the Massachusetts state senate. A supporter asked for a round of drinks to spread the rosy glow of victory. Of course, the barkeep rolled out a previously unnamed cocktail. When asked what they were drinking, the bartender said it needed a name. The supporters suggested the drink’s birthplace, Ward Eight.

What Ingredients are Needed for the Ward Eight Cocktail?

• Whiskey
• Lemon Juice
• Orange Juice
• Grenadine
• Bitters

The Ward Eight is one of those cocktails that being born around 1900 fully embraces the boozy and can pack a punch. Basically a whiskey sour dressed up with some fresh squeezed orange juice and grenadine. The Ward Eight is pleasantly boozy and tart. A classic study in sweet and sour, the fresh squeezed orange juice and grenadine help temper the sour bite and give the drink a rosy glow.

For this drink we used one of our favorite local spirits, Brickway’s Whisky, the first whiskey distilled in the city of Omaha since Prohibition. Brickway’s Whisky is a delicious single malt whiskey, distilled in the same manner as the famous scotch whiskys from Scotland.

If You are Looking for a Classic Cocktail, Try These!

• Gin and Jam
• Blood and Sand
• Clover Club
• Christmas Old Fashioned
• Boulevardier
• Raspberry Gimlet
• Maple Old Fashioned
• Pimm’s Cup
• Apple Cider Sidecar
• Lumiere
• Lavender Bee’s Knees
• Hibiscus Salty Dog
• Pisco Sour
• Champs Elysees

Brickway’s whisky is smooth and slightly sweet with hints of vanilla and caramel with just a hint of oak. It works well with the citrus note from the orange and lemon. And, it still had enough character to give the Ward Eight a backbone.

Cheers!

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Yield: 1

The Ward Eight - A Whiskey Cocktail

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 3 minutes

A classic cocktail, this one packs a punch with whiskey, lemon and orange juice, along with grenadine.

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Ingredients

Ward Eight Cocktail

• 2 ounces whiskey
• .25 ounce grenadine
• .25 ounce freshly squeezed orange juice
• .25 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 dash bitters

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a shaker.

Fill shaker with ice.

Shake vigorously and then strain into a chilled coupe.

Cheers!

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  Angostura Bitters Set
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  Luminarc Barcraft Coupe

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 168Total Fat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 555mgCarbohydrates: 6.6gFiber: 0gSugar: 6.5gProtein: 0.1g

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