Le Ward Eight

The Ward 8 or Ward Eight is a cocktail originating in 1898 in Boston, Massachusetts, at the bar of the Gilded Age Locke-Ober restaurant.

In 1898, Democrat Martin M. Lomasney hoped to win a seat in the state legislature, the Massachusetts General Court. Lomasney wielded considerable power in the city for nearly 50 years. The story goes that the drink was created to honor his election and Boston's 8th Ward. In 1915, the Santa Clara Company registered 'Ward 8' as a trademark with the United States Patent Office, claiming its use since November 1912 and published a notice stating that it would prosecute any infringement. During Prohibition, the Daily Boston Globe reported that the drink would come from the 'old' and abandoned Quincy House. Competing but unfounded myths abound in print and on the Internet. One story reports that it originated in New York, in an area known for its political corruption, another that the cocktail is a traditional drink of the Scots Guards.

Just like the story of its creation, there are several variations of the Ward 8 cocktail. Various recipes call for blended whiskey, bourbon, rye, and even single malt scotch. Some recipes require lemon juice, lime juice, no juice, grenadine. The Santa Clara Company's trademark described its product as 'compounds of whiskey, grenadine syrup, rock-candy syrup, and lime juice.'

At the Brewpub in Montmirail, we use this recipe:

• 7.5 cl of Whiskey
• 2.5 cl of lemon juice
• 2.5 cl of grenadine syrup
• 7.5 cl of orange juice

Put with ice in a shaker and shake.

Serve in a Nick & Nora cocktail glass.

Enjoy!