Queen Victoria Statue (© Photographer: Philip Haskins | Agency: Dreamstime.com)

This time our friend, author and master mixologist Gary Regan, has provided us with a venerable cocktail recipe credited to Albert Edward, Queen Victoria's "somewhat wayward son". Gary says the Prince of Wales may well have been served at the bar by none other than Jerry Thomas, the man who wrote the first book on cocktails in 1862, "How to Mix Drinks or the Bon-Vivant's Companion."

We previously ran an item on Thomas, who reigned as the sporting king of all barmen in the latter half of the 19th century. We wrote that a friend of Gary’s, David Wondrich, has produced a terrific book on the life and times of Jerry Thomas, titled “Imbibe” (Perigee Books). Wondrich has dug up a lot of new information about Thomas, including an account of him getting pretty upset with the Prince of Wales. Even a prince can have one too many, but Gary asks, "Is it possible that The Prince of Wales forgot his royal wallet?"

Ingredients for 1 Drink

Adapted from a recipe in "Imbibe," by David Wondrich.

• 1 Teaspoon superfine sugar
• 1 Dash Angostura bitters
• 1 1/2 Ounces straight rye whiskey
• 1/4 Teaspoon maraschino liqueur
• 1 Pineapple chunk (rinse well if using canned)
• 1 Ounce chilled brut Champagne
• 1 Lemon twist, for garnish

Preparation

1. Put the sugar in the mixing glass with the bitters and 1/2 teaspoon of water. Stir briefly until it has dissolved.
2. Add the rye, the maraschino and the pineapple chunk, fill two-thirds full of cracked ice and shake brutally to crush the pineapple.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, add the cold Champagne and deploy the twist. Then smile.

If you’d like to purchase Gary’s latest display of wit, charm & knowledge go to: the bartender's GIN compendium

If you’d like to purchase the book on spirits & cocktails that Gary calls, “My Baby” go to: The Joy of Mixology: The Consummate Guide to the Bartender's Craft

If you’d like to purchase a terrific bartender’s guide authored by Gary's partner Mardee go to: The Bartender's Best Friend: A Complete Guide to Cocktails, Martinis, and Mixed Drinks

To visit Gary and Mardee’s wonderful web site and sign up for their very witty newsletter go to: Ardent Spirits

To view a previous post on the life & times of Jerry Thomas go to: The Artistry & Showmanship of a Bartending Master