Cocktail history usually comes in one of two forms:
Incredibly fanciful stories with even more beautiful players and those happy accidents that occurred out of necessity and by sheer happenstance.
The Suffering Bastard, unarguably, is one of those cocktail creations that encompasses both, merging a great story, a true genius, and a whole lot of care for people and what they imbibe.
Suffering Bastard Cocktail Served In A Collins Glass
After reading the opening paragraph, you may be asking yourself right now, what the hell is a Suffering Bastard? and why would I ever want to consume a drink with the words “Suffering” and “Bastard” in the name?! The answer to those questions is really going to surprise you…keep on reading!
Let’s transport ourselves back to the 1940s…1942 to be exact. More specifically 1942 Cairo, Egypt. Picture the warmth of a mid-summer sun, picture the far-off deserts in the distance, picture the hustle & bustle of the city around you, see the bazaars filled with exotic treasures, and now imagine this image filled with allied WWII troops from the around the globe. Such a juxtaposition, right?
History 101: Cairo and most of Egypt and Libya, from 1940-1943, though bustling cities an countries, were the sites of major WWII battles and as a result troops, hungry, tired, and most certainly thirsty, needed places to go, unwind, kick off their boots and enjoy a bevvy or two.
The Shepheard’s Hotel - Cairo, Egypt 1940s
Here is where the story gets incredibly interesting. Back to 1942 Cairo and the magnificent Shepheard’s Hotel. The Shepheard’s Hotel was what we would call today a 5 or even 6 Star hotel. It was opulent, to say the least, reigning as one of the world’s most celebrated, decorated, and desirable destinations throughout its entire existence. What made The Shepheard’s Hotel, outside of its pure beauty, fantastic, was its bar, The Long Bar aptly known by locals and patrons alike as St. Joe’s Parish (you will see why below) had a philosophy of “Mix well, but shake politics”. St. Joe’s Parish was a place to be seen along with a place to drink. Celebrities, moguls, tycoons, and even, reference the foreshadowing from above, Allied Troops would frequent the bar for a libation or two.
On one history-defining day, Joe Scialom the resident bartender, bar steward, financial advisor, consigliere, spiritual confidant, eight-language speaking, bow-tie and white coat wearing, and all-around concerned citizen for the well-being of the Allied Troops in the area, was in his lab or bar, tinkering. See, Scialom’s background wasn’t bartending it was chemistry, so being up to the task of creating a hangover “cure” or drink for the Allied Troops who were suffering not just from the toils of the battlefield but also from and we quote, “poor quality liquor” in the area, was right in his wheelhouse.
The cocktail Scialom created at that moment, seems mish-mashed and well a hodgepodge, mixing Brandy/Bourbon and Gin, Rose’s lime juice cordial, and Angostura bitters, and serving it as a “buck” aka mixed with ginger beer or as the American’s liked it with ginger ale. Even writing about this drink in this blog right now seems a little out of sorts, LOL!
But what Scialom didn’t realize was just how much this uncanny concoction would become a cocktail powerhouse. Over the years, The Suffering Bastard has maintained, holding true and close to the original recipe Scialom concocted years ago. Most people now substitute Bourbon for Brandy and utilize a little simple syrup in the mix to round off the flavors. There are other variations notably, Trader Vic's infamous and rather secretive Tiki rendition, utilizing Aged Rum with a cornucopia of Suffering Bastard “secret ingredients” to create a Tikified variation on the original classic.
No matter how you mix it, The Suffering Bastard created over 80+ years ago is the drink you need for what ails you. Some would say it’s a panacea. Whereas some would say it’s disgusting. Overall, we just say it’s part of cocktail history and should be revered, treasured, studied, and most importantly enjoyed for years to come.
Cheers to The Suffering Bastard and cheers to Uncle Joe for mixing up the perfect cureall cocktail!
IBA Recipe:
1oz (30ml) Cognac or Brandy
1oz (30ml) Gin
½oz (15ml) Lime Juice
2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters
Top up with Ginger Beer
Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker except ginger beer. Shake over ice well to incorporate. Pour unstrained into a Collins glass and top up with ginger beer. Garnish with a mint sprig. IBA Recipe Link!
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The Everyday Recipe:
1oz (30ml) Bourbon
1oz (30ml) Gin
½oz (15ml) Lime Juice
½oz (15ml) Simple Syrup
2-3 Dashes of Angostura Bitters
6oz of Ginger Beer
Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker except ginger beer. Shake over ice well to incorporate. Pour unstrained into a Tiki glass and top up with ginger beer. Garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge.
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The Leisuremann’s Bastard:
1oz (30ml) Bourbon
1oz (30ml) Gin
2oz H20
1 Pack of Leisuremann’s Moscow Mule Mix
Pour H20 and 1 Leisuremann’s Moscow Mule Pack into your vessel of consumption. Dissolve, stirring till everything is incorporated. Add Bourbon and Gin. Stir to incorporate. Add ice and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge if you got it. Enjoy anywhere and everywhere!
No matter if you follow our recipes or create your own variation, The Suffering Bastard, courtesy of Uncle Joe's ingenuity, will become a staple classic cocktail in your imbibing arsenal.
Cheers!! Cliff