Lion’s Tail

• Bourbon
  60 ml (2 oz)

  Choose a good-quality, mid-proof bourbon
• Allspice dram (pimento dram)
  15 ml (0.5 oz)

  Essential for the cocktail’s signature spice
• Fresh lime juice
  15 ml (0.5 oz)

  Freshly squeezed for best flavor
• Simple syrup
  15 ml (0.5 oz)

  Adjust to taste for sweetness
• Angostura bitters
  2 dashes

  Adds depth and aroma

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Hawthorne strainer
• Fine mesh strainer (optional)
• Citrus juicer

1. 1

   Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. 2

   Add bourbon, allspice dram, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters to the shaker.

3. 3

   Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until well-chilled.

4. 4

   Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass using a Hawthorne strainer. For extra smoothness, double strain using a fine mesh strainer.

5. 5

   Garnish with a twist of lime peel or a whole star anise to highlight the spiced aroma.

• Unique blend of bourbon and exotic allspice dram
• Perfect balance of spice, citrus, and sweetness
• Sophisticated yet approachable flavor profile
• Ideal for both fall sipping and year-round enjoyment
• Great conversation starter with a storied history

The Lion’s Tail first roared onto the cocktail scene in the 1930s, making its published debut in the 1937 Café Royal Cocktail Book. Crafted during the American Prohibition, this drink came about as bartenders explored more international flavors—thanks to both the scarcity of certain spirits and the influx of imported ingredients. The defining element, allspice dram (also known as pimento dram), lent an intriguing Caribbean twist, setting this drink apart from typical whiskey cocktails. Over the decades, the Lion’s Tail has remained a hidden gem, beloved by cocktail aficionados for its spicy complexity and smooth blend of bourbon and citrus.