So I figured it was time to revisit Ted Haigh’s Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails, to continue the cocktail journey through the ages.

Flipping through the pages, I was initially drawn to the Corpse Reviver #2 (feeling a little logey tonight and all!), but I figured I would rather try one of the cocktails I’ve never had before.

Side note here:  if you haven’t had a Corpse Reviver #2, go make one — now! They are very tasty!

Even though it was nice and bright and sunny, I was hankering after brown spirits, so I ended up settling on the Lion’s Tail.  This cocktail makes use of Pimento Dram (which I had recently made a batch of.  According to Ted Haigh, lore has it that this was first published in London in 1937, with the creator thought to be a cocktail refugee from the American prohibition.

This is a slightly sweeter cocktail, where the spiciness of the Pimento Dram complements the sweetness of the bourbon, (I used Knob Creek for this cocktail).  I also substituted Jerry Thomas Bitters for the Angostura, just because I thought they might go well.  Definitely tastes like another, and even Jeff (not a huge cocktail afficionado) gave it two thumbs up!

The Lion’s Tale (from Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails)

• 2 oz. bourbon
• 3/4 oz. Pimento dram
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• 1/2 tablespoon simple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Shake with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass