Ward 8
Unlike so many cocktails from yesteryear, the origins of the name of this cocktail are at least well known. In Boston 1898, demo
cratic political kingpin, Martin M. Lomasney was running for the Massachusetts state legislature. The name of the cocktail comes from the key political district that secured him his election, the eighth ward of Boston. This is wh
ere the consensus ends. Recipes vary widely except for the base spirit Rye whiskey. Multiple theories on who first created a cocktail named the Ward 8. Unlike most of these types of foggy cocktail legends, this name is actually trademarked, the cocktail became so widely known. The Santa Clara Company was granted a trademark on the name the Ward 8 in 1915.
This may seem like a very modern turn to try to bottle and trademark a very popular drink but in reality this is relatively common in the history of cocktails. Virtually every pub in Ireland at one time made their own version of a cream liqueur, but they would make these everyday, because the alcohol destabilizes the cream. Bailey’s developed and patented the process to shelf stabilize cream with the other ingredients. Similar with Drambuie. Combining Scotch Whisky with botanicals and sweetening agents was nothing particularly unusual, but to get a royal authorization to do so was what made Drambuie famous.
Regardless of all the controversy, the drink itself is basically a Rye sour. It is from that tradition that I make my modern day recipe.
Ingredients
2 oz Rye Whiskey (For this recipe I reach for good ole Crown Royal)
1/2 oz orange juice
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/4 oz Luxardo Maraschino
Garnish
Luxardo Bar Cherry and a Massachusetts flag
Glassware
5 oz Cocktail Glass
Assembly
Measure the orange juice into a jigger and add the lemon juice. Add to shaker full of ice. Add Maraschino and rye. Stir until chilled and strain into a cocktail glass and garnish.
Suggestions
The acidity and sugar content will vary widely depending on what type of oranges you use and the time of year. After mixing, taste for balance. If it is a little too sour, adjust with more Maraschino or the Maraschino brine from the garnishing cherries if you have them. If it is too sweet then adjust with lemon juice. If balanced perfectly, you will get waves of very flavor finishing with an almost roasted orange note. For the winter, multiply the recipe and heat with two whole cloves, a cinnamon stick, and the fruit rinds for a simple hot toddy for parties.