Popular since the 1930s, the Lion's Tail Cocktail is a rich and flavorful drink. Made with a unique mix of bourbon, allspice liqueur, and lime.
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So what is a Lion's Tail Cocktail?
A simple bourbon cocktail that first appeared on the scene in 1937, a Lions Tail Cocktail is a classic drink with a rich, aromatic, and spicy flavor.
The drink’s name refers to the American saying “twisting the lion’s tail”. This is a phrase used to describe provoking the British, whose royal coat of arms features a lion.
This cocktail combines bourbon, allspice dram (a liqueur made from rum, pimento berries, and spices), fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and aromatic bitters. A unique flavor combination that creates a well-balanced and tasty drink.
Looking for more Bourbon Cocktail inspiration? Then check out our post about THE BEST MIXERS FOR BOURBON!
Lion's Tail Ingredients and Notes
This drink has a unique combination of ingredients that work surprisingly well together. The ingredients you will need are:
- Bourbon whiskey. You can use whichever bourbon you like best.
- Lime juice. Fresh is always best for making cocktail recipes!
- Allspice dram. Or “pimento dram” as it’s called in old cocktail books as the allspice berry comes from the pimento tree.
- Simple syrup. Homemade or store-bought is fine - whichever is easiest for you!
- Angostura bitters. Adds a layer of complexity, intensifies the flavor of other ingredients, counteracts the harshness of acidic contents, and decreases the harshness of spirits.
- Lime zest twist (optional). This is the traditional garnish for this cocktail but it can also be enjoyed as is, without a garnish.
All about Allspice Dram
Allspice dram is a spicy liqueur made with rum and allspice berries (also known as pimento berries). It originated in Jamaica and became a popular addition to many Tiki cocktails.
It has a rich, intense flavor that was popular until the 1980s and then had a resurgence in popularity again later as there was a newfound interest in classic cocktail recipes.
There are now several manufacturers of Allspice Dram. The most popular and easiest-to-find brand is St Elizabeth Allspice Dram. And you can also make your own with allspice berries, brown sugar, and Jamaican rum.
How to make a Lion’s Tail Cocktail
This is an easy cocktail to make at home. You will need a cocktail shaker, or a large jar to shake this drink with ice. As well as a stemmed serving glass. To make a Lion's Tail Cocktail, follow the step-by-step instructions below or find a detailed recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step-by-Step Instructions
STEP ONE
Combine bourbon, lime, allspice dram, bitters, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice.
STEP TWO
Shake until well-chilled and then strain into a coupe or cocktail serving glass.
STEP THREE
Add a lime twist garnish if desired and serve immediately.
Another delicious bourbon cocktail recipe to try out is our REFRESHING BOURBON LEMONADE
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Use a jigger or a measuring cup to measure your ingredients accurately. A precise measurement can make a big difference in the balance and flavor of your cocktail.
- The quality of the bourbon is the key to a good bourbon cocktail. Choose a bourbon that you enjoy drinking on its own, and that has a flavor profile that will work well with the other ingredients in the cocktail.
- You can make a larger batch of these cocktails if desired. Simply scale the amounts of each ingredient up proportionally to make the amount you need.
- Add some extra depth of flavor by using honey simple syrup instead of just regular simple syrup. We have an easy and tasty recipe for honey simple syrup for you to try out!
- A lime twist is a pretty and elegant garnish option for this drink. But you could also use a slice of lime or a lime wedge!
Lions Tail Cocktail
Equipment
- 1 cocktail shaker
- stemmed serving glasses
Ingredients
- 60 ml bourbon whiskey
- 10 ml allspice dram
- 10 ml fresh lime juice
- 10 ml simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 lime twist optional garnish
Instructions
- Combine bourbon, lime, allspice dram, bitters, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker and fill it with ice.
- Shake until well-chilled and then strain into a coupe or cocktail serving glass.
- Add a lime twist garnish if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a jigger or a measuring cup to measure your ingredients accurately. A precise measurement can make a big difference in the balance and flavor of your cocktail.
- The quality of the bourbon is the key to a good bourbon cocktail. Choose a bourbon that you enjoy drinking on its own, and that has a flavor profile that will work well with the other ingredients in the cocktail.
- You can make a larger batch of these cocktails if desired. Simply scale the amounts of each ingredient up proportionally to make the amount you need.
- Add some extra depth of flavor by using honey simple syrup instead of just regular simple syrup. We have an easy and tasty recipe for honey simple syrup for you to try out!
- A lime twist is a pretty and elegant garnish option for this drink. But you could also use a slice of lime or a lime wedge!
Nutrition
I hope you love this recipe for a Lion's Tail Cocktail as much as I do. And follow me on Instagram or Facebook for even more food and drink inspiration!
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