DR DR Gimme The News -- The In The Dominican
Win, Place, Show -- The Mint Julep

For Your Inner Rule Breaker -- The Scofflaw

The Scofflaw is unusual in that both the word and the cocktail originated during Prohibition.  In 1923 a Boston newspaper sponsored a national competition to create a term defining a lawless drinker, and the word "scofflaw" was the winning entry.  It immediately entered the popular vernacular and has been with us ever since. One year later Harry's Bar in Paris created the Scofflaw.

Want to drink like a bad boy or girl?  Follow the lead of these guys (left to right, John Dillinger, Bugsy Siegel, Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Machine Gun Kelly)
Want to drink like a bad boy or girl? Follow their  lead (left to right, John Dillinger, Bugsy Siegel, Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, Machine Gun Kelly)

2 ounces rye
1 ounce dry vermouth
.25 ounces lemon juice
.75 ounces glorious grenadine syrup
2 dashes orange bitters

Combine in a shaker with ice, shake like you're running from The Untouchables (your choice about whether Robert Stack or Kevin Costner is Eliot Ness), and strain into a chilled glass.

Combining rye and vermouth in the Scofflaw works well because the vermouth tempers (historical pun intended;  the temperance movement was a driving force behind Prohibition) the strong, spicy flavors of the rye. The lemon juice and orange bitters give the Scofflaw a little acidity. The grenadine brings some sweetness to the equation, and in turn keeps the Scofflaw from burning your insides like a gangster would burn their rival’s stash.

Just remember: cocktail history is part of American history.  So appreciate history and have a Scofflaw!

Comments

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Tina Rupp

Interesting, and I’m definitely going to give this one a go when I’m able to have alcohol again. Our daughter bought a beautiful older homes in Mt. Arlington, N. J . It has a Speakeasy! A door disguised as the wall moves and opens to a lovely bar. I love it! We make use of it whenever we visit. Kind of makes me feel akin to a Scofflaw. Cheers!

Wulf Cocktail Den

Apologies for the delay in responding. That's great about the speakeasy. It sounds like a perfect place to enjoy a Scofflaw!

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