Ward 8 Cocktail

The Ward 8 is the classic whiskey cocktail you need! A riff on the whiskey sour, it features rye, orange and grenadine.

Here’s a classic whiskey cocktail that flies under the radar: the Ward 8! This riff on the whiskey sour needs reviving, in our opinion. Where the whiskey sour can be on the sweet side, the Ward 8 is perfectly balanced and tart. It features rye whiskey, but it’s not overpowering: there’s just a hint of spice on the finish. Add sweet orange juice and bright red grenadine for sweetness and color, and it’s a super balanced and intriguing drink! It’s one of our favorite undiscovered whiskey drinks! Here’s how to make it.

What’s a Ward 8 cocktail?

The Ward 8 cocktail is a rye whiskey cocktail invented in 1898 in Boston, Massachusetts. It’s a spin on the whiskey sour, using rye whiskey, lemon, orange and grenadine. What’s with the name? The cocktail was created to celebrate a man named Martin Lomasney’s election to state legislature, and the city’s Ward 8 district helped clinch the win. Today Martin is all but forgotten, but the drink made in his honor remains!

The Ward 8 is not a popular classic whiskey drink, but we think it deserves a revival. It’s more intriguing than a whiskey sour, with a tart flavor from two citrus juices and the pomegranate zing of grenadine. In fact, I’m not a huge rye whiskey fan but I love this drink! Here’s what you need to make it:

• Rye whiskey
• Lemon juice
• Orange juice
• Grenadine

What rye whiskey to use

Rye whiskey is a type of whiskey made with a majority of the grain rye. This can be either American rye whiskey, made of at least 51% rye mash, or Canadian whisky, which may or may not contain rye. Rye whiskey is known for its strong, spicy flavor, versus bourbon whiskey which is much sweeter.

• What are some good brands of rye whiskey? We recommend Bulleit, Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, and High West. Crown Royal is Canadian Rye Whisky.
• Can you make the Ward 8 with bourbon? Absolutely! It doesn’t have near the spicy finish of rye whiskey, but a bourbon Ward 8 is delicious too. It’s like a whole new drink!

More about grenadine

Grenadine is another key component to the Ward 8. This bright red syrup brings a hint of rosy color to the drink, though it’s not so much to make it a pink drink! Here’s what to know about this popular syrup:

• Grenadine is a sweet tart syrup used in cocktails that’s bright red in color. It’s made out of pomegranate juice.
• Where to find grenadine? It’s easy to find at most liquor stores or online.
• What about all natural grenadine? If you can find it, all natural grenadine is made without artificial sweeteners and colors. But some of the all natural versions have a muddy color. The best option is to make grenadine at home! Homemade grenadine with fresh pomegranate seeds has a great bright color and fresh, beautiful flavor.
• What drinks is grenadine used in? It’s most famous in grenadine cocktails like the non-alcoholic Shirley Temple and the vibrant Tequila Sunrise and Singapore Sling.

How to make a Ward 8 cocktail: shake and strain!

The Ward 8 is easy to make, once you’ve compiled the rye whiskey, grenadine, orange and lemon juice! All you’ll need is a cocktail shaker.

• Shake: Add the ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Fill it with ice and then shake until very cold. (Don’t have a cocktail shaker? Use a mason jar with a cover instead.)
• Strain: Strain the drink into a cocktail glass. (Don’t have a cocktail strainer? Use a fine mesh strainer instead.)
• Garnish: If you’d like, an orange slice and a cocktail cherry looks festive!

And that’s it! Let us know if you try the Ward 8 cocktail. It’s tart, refreshing, and a great

More rye whiskey cocktails

Love rye? Here are a few more rye whiskey cocktails you’ll love after you make the Ward 8:

• Try a classic Manhattan
• Go boozy with a Sazerac or La Louisiane
• Opt for the unique Brooklyn with rye and Maraschino
• Grab the cousin of the Negroni, an Old Pal
• Try a sophisticated Toronto with Fernet-Branca
• Make up a bubbly Whiskey Ginger

When to serve a Ward 8

The Ward 8 is a classy cocktail that works for anytime! It’s great for sipping as a:

• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Summer patio drink
• Late night drinks drink
• Guys or girls night drink
• Cocktail hour drink

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