The Lion’s Tail

The Lion’s Tail is a must-try for bourbon lovers looking for a new cocktail. This classic American cocktail combines bourbon, allspice dram, lime juice, simple syrup, and bitters for a spicy yet refreshing drink. The Lion’s Tail has a fascinating history, with roots in both the British café culture and American tiki bars.

The cocktail’s unique combination of flavors made it a hit among bartenders, and it quickly became a staple in tiki bars across America. The Lion’s Tail is a twist on classic whiskey sour and daiquiri recipes, with the addition of allspice dram adding a warm, spicy note to the drink.

History

The Lion’s Tail cocktail is a classic cocktail that has been around since the early 20th century. Its origins are somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have been created by an American bartender during Prohibition. The drink was first published in the Café Royal Cocktail Book in 1937, which was a collection of recipes from the famous London bar.

During Prohibition, many Americans turned to cocktails as a way to escape the dry laws that prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol. The Lion’s Tail was one of many cocktails that were created during this time, and it quickly became popular among both American and British drinkers.

The Café Royal Cocktail Book was a popular resource for bartenders during the 1930s, and it helped to spread the popularity of the Lion’s Tail cocktail. The book was published in London, but many of the recipes were created by American bartenders who had fled to Europe during Prohibition.

How to Make It

Variations

There are many variations of the Lion’s Tail cocktail that you can try to suit your taste preferences. Here are a few popular ones:

Tiki-style Lion’s Tail

If you’re a fan of tiki drinks, you can make a tiki-style Lion’s Tail by swapping bourbon for rum. You can also add a splash of pineapple juice and garnish with a pineapple wedge and a cherry for a tropical twist.

Blackberry Lion’s Tail

For a fruity twist, muddle a few blackberries in the bottom of your shaker before adding the other ingredients. This will give your Lion’s Tail a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs well with the allspice liqueur.

Minty Lion’s Tail

For a refreshing twist, add a few sprigs of fresh mint to your shaker before adding the other ingredients. This will give your Lion’s Tail a bright, herbaceous flavor that pairs well with the lemon juice and allspice liqueur.

Daiquiri-style Lion’s Tail

If you’re a fan of daiquiris, you can make a daiquiri-style Lion’s Tail by swapping bourbon for rum and lemon juice for lime juice. This will give your Lion’s Tail a lighter, more refreshing flavor that’s perfect for sipping on a hot summer day.

Whiskey Sour-style Lion’s Tail

For a classic twist, you can make a Whiskey Sour-style Lion’s Tail by swapping allspice liqueur for simple syrup and adding an egg white to your shaker. This will give your Lion’s Tail a frothy texture and a sweet, tangy flavor that’s sure to please.

Jamaican Lion’s Tail

For a spicy twist, add a few dashes of Jamaican jerk bitters to your shaker before adding the other ingredients. This will give your Lion’s Tail a fiery kick that pairs well with the allspice liqueur and lemon juice.