SPVAQ42020 - 26

to Cuba. Coke made its way into highball
cocktails, including what became the
"official" Cuba Libre.
Gunfire. This black tea and rum cocktail,
not surprisingly, arose in England. "The
drink was thought to have been first
concocted by British Army soldiers as
a form of a morale boost in the 1890s,"
reported Forces military news service,
"served to the lower ranks before a
morning battle." Other traditions followed,
such as ceremonies and commemorations,
and even as a Christmas Day tipple.
Sidecar. Motorcycles with sidecars were
used by military forces during World War
I and II. The drink by that name-made
of cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice-is
believed to have been invented in Europe
during World War II, and perhaps to have
evolved from the Brandy Crusta cocktail
from New Orleans. Several stories compete
for the creation honor: it was created by
Harry MacElhone at Harry's New York Bar
in Paris for an American Army captain who
regularly arrived at the bar in a sidecar; by
Pat MacGarry at Buck's Club in London,
also named for a patron in a sidecar; or by
Frank Meier at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. In
"The Essential Cocktail," however, author
Dale DeGroff speculates that the name came
from the little serving glass that receives any
leftover cocktail after pouring from a shaker.
French 75. The French 75mm field gun
was a quick-firing artillery piece that could
deliver 15 rounds per minute-twice that
with an experienced crew-up to nearly
5½ miles away. The French had about 4,000
of these guns at the start of World War I.
The guns were subsequently used by many
nations in multiple wars. The French 75 is
made with gin, Champagne, lemon juice
and sugar. Like the Sidecar, French 75
may have been created and/or named by
Harry MacElhone or Pat MacGarry. Busy
bartenders, those two.
Pink Gin and, later, the Horse's Neck,
were favorites of Britain's Royal Navy.
Pink Gin, combined Plymouth gin with
Angostura bitters, used as a cure for
seasickness. Horse's Neck cocktails, made
of brandy (or bourbon) and ginger ale,
were so-named because of the long lemon
twist garnish.
26 SPIRITED VIRGINIA

YOUR GUIDE TO
MILITARY-INSPIRED
COCKTAIL RECIPES
Blue: US Navy/Air Force
Red: US Marine Corps
Green: US Army
Gold: US Coast Guard
Black: US Space Force

BLUE BLAZER

For ceremonies and other formal affairs, U.S.
military personnel may put on their dress blues
- and the flames that accompany the creation
of this cocktail can speak to the military might
that helps to keep our nation safe.

▷▷ 4 OZ. CASK-STRENGTH WHISKEY
▷▷ 3 OZ. BOILING WATER
▷▷ SUGAR TO TASTE (ABOUT ONE BAR
SPOON)
▷▷ LEMON PEEL FOR GARNISH
Preheat two heat-resistant handled mugs.
Pour the whiskey into one and boiling
water into another. Ignite the whiskey
with a long-handled match. Immediately
pour the flaming whiskey into the second
mug, then blend the two by pouring back
and forth between mugs. When blended,
extinguish the flame by putting the bottom
of the other mug atop the flaming spirit.
Pour into a heat-resistant glass, sweeten
with sugar, and garnish with lemon peel.

DEVIL DOG

Devil Dog is a nickname for the Marines, possibly
arising from their service in World War I to reflect the
Germans' description of them as "Teufelshunde."

▷▷ 1½ OZ. BARE KNUCKLE AMERICAN
WHISKEY
▷▷ 3 OZ. ORANGE JUICE
▷▷ ½ OZ. LEMON LIME SODA
▷▷ ORANGE-CHERRY WHEEL FOR GARNISH
In a rocks glass with ice, mix whiskey,
orange juice, and soda. Sink Grenadine or
cherry juice to the bottom. Garnish.

ARMY RANGER

This drink is said to have been created for the 75th
Ranger Regiment 2nd Battalion, activated in 1974,
during a cold-weather training exercise to provide
warmth, amped-up energy and plenty of flavor.

▷▷ ½ OZ. VIRAGO 151 RUM
▷▷ 8- OZ. CAN RED BULL OR OTHER ENERGY
DRINK
▷▷ 1 OZ. JÄGERMEISTER
▷▷ LIME SLICE AND LEMON SLICE FOR GARNISH
Mix ingredients in a 12- oz. highball or other
glass. Add ice if desired. Place lime and
lemon slices on top and serve.

BLACK HAWK
TUN TAVERN TIPPLE

The United States Marine Corps was established
in Philadelphia's Tun Tavern on November 10, 1775.
Tun's was a so-called fish house that offered its
guests a whiskey/brandy punch that was known
locally as Fish House Punch. It is now considered
by many to be the official grog at Marine Corps
festivities such as its birthday celebrations.

▷▷ 1½ OZ. BARE KNUCKLE BOURBON*
▷▷ ½ OZ. COGNAC*
▷▷ ½ OZ. FRESHLY SQUEEZED LEMON
JUICE
▷▷ ½ OZ. FRESHLY SQUEEZED LIME
JUICE
▷▷ ½ OZ. SIMPLE SYRUP
▷▷ 4 DASHES PEYCHAUD'S BITTERS
▷▷ LEMON AND LIME WHEELS FOR
GARNISH
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, mix all
ingredients. Shake vigorously, and pour
over the rocks in a Copper Mug, Pewter,
Tankard, or Julep Cup. Garnish.
*Recommended Bare Knuckle Cask Strength
Bourbon and Martell's Blue Swift Bourbon Cask
Cognac.

The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk entered US Army
service in 1979, but the Black Hawk cocktail hails
from the early 20th century.

▷▷ 1¼ OZ. RYE WHISKEY
▷▷ 1¼ OZ. SLOE GIN
▷▷ BLACK CHERRIES FOR GARNISH
Stir whiskey and gin in a mixing glass with
cracked ice. Strain into a coupe glass,
garnish, and serve.

LIGHT INFANTRY

Over hill, over dale, we will hit the dusty trail, and
the caissons go rolling along.

▷▷ 2 OZ. RYE
▷▷ 1 OZ. BARBOURSVILLE CHARDONNAY
▷▷ ½ OZ. SWEET VERMOUTH
▷▷ 4 DASHES ORANGE BITTERS
▷▷ ORANGE PEEL FOR GARNISH
▷▷ MARASCHINO CHERRY FOR GARNISH
Add the liquids into a mixing glass filled
with ice. Stir, then strain into a cocktail
glass. Add garnish and serve. Toast to the
troops specializing in speed and mobility.
SPVAQ42020

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