Pahk your car in Hahvahd Yahd and have a sip of Boston’s Ward 8.
Boston isn’t exactly known as a whiskey town, but the Ward 8 has been trying to change that reputation since 1898. Although after 130 years, you’d think it would read the room…
If you happened to be a working Joe in Boston around 1898, chances are Martin Lomasney was your political hero. Throughout his career, Lomasney serves as a State Senator, State Representative, and the political boss of the West End. Lomasney was the child of poor, Irish immigrants in the West End and for a time even led a local Irish street gang. However, that kind of background is exactly what his constituents were looking for in a politician. Once elected, Lomasney quickly earned the reputation of, “man of the people,” and spent most of his time in office fighting for the working class and immigrants. Although his political tactics weren’t always gentlemanly.
While famous for being working class, Lomasney was also infamous for his campaign tactics. Numerous reports detail how voters were bribed, coerced, or blackmailed, as opposing candidates were threatened, harassed, and often the victims of some pretty dirty tricks. But on election night, 1898 none of that really mattered to the bartender at Locke-Ober Cafe.
That night, Lomasney was elected to the state legislature and the neighborhood bar in Boston’s eighth ward decided to celebrate. Sure, there are some rumors about how Lomasney rigged the election or how the bar staff at Locke-Ober were practically forced into making the cocktail, but hey, politics is politics. And so, the Ward 8 was born right there in Boston’s eighth ward.
Political crime boss aside, the Ward 8 all comes down to a rye riff on a Whiskey Sour. With a rye whiskey foundation, lemon juice, orange juice, and a drop of grenadine come together for a puckery, sweet creation. Rose’s grenadine will do in a pinch, but for less of a corn syrup experience, try the homemade grenadine recipe below. And for the winter months, you can switch it up with a Ward 8 Toddy instead.
The Ward 8 may have been born from a wicked politician, but it’s still wicked pissah.
Ward 8
Equipment
- 1 Cocktail Shaker
- 1 Cocktail Glass
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Rye Whiskey
- ½ ounce Lemon Juice
- ½ ounce Orange Juice
- 2 tsp Grenadine
- 1 Maraschino Cherry
Homemade Grenadine
- 2 cups Pomegranate Juice
- 1½ cups Sugar
- 4 tbsp Pomegranate Molasses
Instructions
- To a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add 2 ounces of Rye Whiskey, ½ ounce of lemon juice, ½ ounce of orange juice, and 2 tsps of grenadine.
- Shake until chilled.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a Maraschino cherry.
Homemade Grenadine
- Add 2 cups of pomegranate juice and 1½ cups of sugar to a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir for about 5 minutes, add 4 tablespoons of pomegranate molasses, and then continue to stir.
- Once the sugar is all dissolved, remove the mixture from the heat and let cool.
