The Commodore No. 2
Did you know that September is Bourbon Heritage Month? That means you’re going to be seeing a lot of bourbon recipes and cocktails over the next few weeks from a variety of sources. As a big bourbon fan myself, I was thrilled to make this discovery because now I have a reason to post numerous bourbon cocktails and food recipes. (Not that I really needed a reason.) And since I adore bourbon, you can imagine how excited I am to celebrate.
So, to kick off the party I’m mixing up a Commodore No. 2. (A Number 1 is made with blended whiskey and orange bitters so that post won’t show up on the blog until sometime in October… after Bourbon Heritage month.) Some compare the Commodore to a Whiskey Sour because of the bourbon and lemon juice. But unlike the sour, this cocktail also includes Créme de Cacao and grenadine making it a much sweeter drink, and one some might label as “girly”. But just because it’s red and sweet doesn’t mean it’s just for the ladies. This cocktail (like a lot on this blog) dates back to before pre-Prohibition days when, according to Esquire‘s Wondrich, “bars were strictly men only”.
Since this cocktail hails from the late teens, and a lot of the alcohol from that era was less than palatable, it’s easy to see why the drink might have needed a little sweetening. I mean, we all want to enjoy the cocktail we’re drinking, don’t we? So, whether you’re a man or a woman, the next time you’re in a bar and want a bourbon drink that’s on the sweeter side, sidle on up, hold your head high and order a Commodore No. 2. And if anyone gives you any guff, smile, take a sip and tell them just how tasty this classic really is.
The Commodore No. 2
Ingredients:
- 1-1/2 oz. bourbon
- 1 oz. créme de cacao
- 1 oz. lemon juice
- a dash of grenadine
Directions:
- Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and add ice. Shake vigorously for 1 minute. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve.
