Hair of the dog? Not after 2020
In a normal world, six days after New Year’s Eve would not be the time for hangover cures. But 2020 was not part of a normal world, and frankly, there really is no such thing as a hangover cure. But socalled “hair of the dog” cocktails aren’t really meant as a cure. What they are is a way to ease back in. How does the saying go? “We detox, so that we can retox.”
All joking aside, these classic cocktails were invented with that in mind. And just one look at most Donn Beach, Vic Bergeron, Harry Craddock and Joe Scialom inventions, you get a sense of why they were needed. Large amounts of liquor and sugar are not going to be a good thing. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Here are some takes on classic hair of the dog cocktails, all with reduced sugar and alcohol. And as always, all localized for your consumption.
Happy New Year!
Sorry, we meant to say, happy new year. Shh.
Jeff Burkhart is the author of “Twenty Years Behind Bars:
The Spirited Adventures of a Real Bartender, Vol. I and II,” the host of the Barfly Podcast on iTunes and an award- winning bartender at a local restaurant. Follow him at jeffburkhart.net and contact him at jeffbarflyIJ@ outlook.com.
RECIPE
Corpse Reviver No. 2
1½ ounces 209 gin
¾ ounce Kina L’Aéro d’Or 1 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
¼ ounce simple syrup
Float of St. George Absinthe Verte
1 orange zest
Combine first four ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Float absinthe and garnish with orange zest.
Ever heard of a Corpse Reviver No. 1? Probably not. And that is because the No. 1 is really just an apple brandy Manhattan. Several versions of this drink exist (ergo the numbering) but the most famous is this version, originally featured in Harry Craddock’s “The Savoy Cocktail Book.” In it, Craddock suggest that four — yes, four! — of these will “unrevive the corpse again.” I guess responsible hospitality wasn’t a thing back then.
Note: 209 gin is made in San Francisco, Kina L’Aéro d’Or is imported by Tempus Fugit in Petaluma and St. George Absinthe Verte is made in Alameda. Cocchi Americano is a good substitute for the Kina L’Aéro d’Or. Lillet Blanc with a splash of orange bitters will also work well in a pinch.