How to Make the Ward Eight Cocktail

A Ward Eight Cocktail is a classic whiskey sour with a hint of grenadine which adds that touch of sweetness. It is a perfect balance of sweet and sour, and it has been a favorite cocktail for over a century.

The Ward Eight cocktail was born in Boston, not the most common city for cocktail creation. In 1898 at the Locke-Ober restaurant, bartender Tom Hussion created the cocktail when his boss, Martin Lomasney ran for election for the state legislature. Lomasney’s victory led to a 40 year political stint in Boston’s Eighth Ward, thus naming it the Ward Eight cocktail!

What goes into a Ward Eight Cocktail?

We have cocktail sleuth, David Wondrich, to thank for creating the specifications we use in the recipe here.

His Ward Eight Cocktail is include rye whiskey, a combination of fresh lemon juice and fresh orange juice, and grenadine (use my recipe for homemade grenadine!) instead of the usual simple syrup. The cocktail is typically garnished with a cocktail cherry.

What tools you need to make Ward Eight Cocktail

You’ll need a cocktail shaker for this one! Grab a jigger, a strainer, and a coupe glass for this Ward Eight Cocktail recipe.

Step 1: Gather the ingredients: Rye whiskey, lemon juice, orange juice, grenadine, and ice.

Step 2: In a cocktail shaker, add 2 ounces of rye whiskey, 1/2 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 ounce of freshly squeezed orange juice, and 2 teaspoons of grenadine.

Step 3: Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.

Step 4: Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.

Step 5: Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.

Bottom’s up!

🍸 Top Tip(le)s: Making the perfect Ward Eight cocktail requires attention to detail and a few tips to ensure that the cocktail is balanced and delicious. Here are some tips for making the perfect Ward 8 cocktail:

• Use rye whiskey for the spice, but you can use any whiskey
• Use freshly squeezed lemon and orange juice for the best flavor.
• Use high-quality grenadine for a better over-all flavor
• Shake the cocktail with ice for at least 10 seconds to ensure that it is well-chilled.
• Strain the cocktail into a chilled glass to keep it cold.

Where to find more whiskey recipes

Here is the recipe!

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