Because of my obsession with a certain show about 1970s firefighters (Emergency!) I was delighted to find a cocktail recipe called a Fireman’s Sour in my 1969 edition of the Old Mr. Boston De Luxe Official Bartender’s Guide. I hate a cloyingly sweet cocktail, so anything “sour” is right up my alley.
The Original Old Mr. Boston Recipe
Juice of 2 limes
1/2 teaspoon powdered sugar
1/2 oz. Grenadine
2 oz. Old Mr. Boston Imported Rum
Fill with carbonated water if desired
Decorate with a half-slice of lemon and a cherry
The thing is, I really prefer gin to rum, so I decided to tinker with the recipe a bit. I nixed the powdered sugar (grenadine brings more than enough sweetness for me) and substituted gin for the rum. This makes a nice strong cocktail with a bit of pucker. Johnny and Roy would approve.
The Untwisted Fireman’s Sour
Juice of 1 large lime
2 oz gin
1/2 oz. Grenadine
Shake with ice, pour into a glass of your choosing, and add a maraschino cherry if desired.
Okay, so this probably just a variation on a gin sling, but I’m calling it a Fireman’s Sour. You dig?
Just a hunch: Is this best served in a Shadowleaf mug?
Yes, definitely!