Presbyterian Cocktail
Don’t worry, I haven’t suddenly gone all religious on you. I picked the Presbyterian because the first day of fall was yesterday. Unfortunately the temperature is still in the triple digits here in Southern California, which means I’m still in the mood for cool, fizzy drinks. Luckily, this cocktail is made with ginger beer which is perfect for autumn and the Indian summer heat.
Unlike the previous two cocktails, this one uses rye instead of gin. As you all know I’m a huge rye/bourbon fan, so any chance I get to use rye or bourbon in a cocktail, I’m on it! This one struck my fancy because it was so simple. Just like last week’s ginger beer cocktail, this one only takes two ingredients: rye and ginger beer.
Because the Presbyterian has only two ingredients, the rye has the chance to really shine in this cocktail. It’s not being overwhelmed by the bitters, simple syrups or other mixers that are necessary in some of the older cocktails. It’s for that reason, I chose the Alberta Rye, Dark Batch.This is perfect for the Presbyterian because it’s made from rye, bourbon and sherry. I know sherry seems like an odd choice for a rye, but it’s the sherry that when combined with a blend of 12 and 6 year-old ryes, gives this liquor a spicy sweetness similar to the sweet spicy kick you get from a good ginger beer. It’s like the two were made for each other.
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you who to thank for coming up with the delicious combo. I can’t even tell you why it was named the Presbyterian. After scouring the internet for the history of the cocktail, all I was able to come up with is that the drink predates Prohibition and is considered to be part of the highball family. Hopefully the drink’s lack of history won’t keep you from sampling it, though. Trust me when I tell you it’s totally worth it, and ideal for this Indian summer we seem to be stuck in.
The Presbyterian
Ingredients:
- 2 oz. rye
- 5-6 oz. ginger beer
Directions:
- Pour the rye into a highball glass. Add large ice cubes and fill the rest of the way with the ginger beer. Give a quick stir to combine the flavors and serve.
