A bold name for this strong gin and bourbon-based cocktail… the Suffering Bastard.
Remembering the first cocktail you ever had is pretty easy. But do you recall the second one? For me, it was a very strong beverage with a memorable name… the Suffering Bastard.
My first go-round with this very tasty, eye-opening tipple was at one of my family’s favorite Chinese restaurants. We had relatives visiting, so we all went to this hidden gem of an eatery that had a pretty amazing tiki drink menu. I was still new to the 21-Club, so I wanted to order an adult beverage with my pu pu platter. When I saw the name Suffering Bastard, I was sold immediately. I knocked back the tall, refreshing and spiky concoction with relish. Later, as we were sightseeing with my grandparents, aunts and uncles, I couldn’t help but giggle and marvel at everything. I was pretty buzzed, being a lightweight, so I shambled around like a cartoon souse. My mother was thoroughly entertained, as she kept laughing at me until tears were streaming down her face. We had a great time.
Over the years, the Suffering Bastard became a favorite and I’d order one whenever I’d see its name. Something confused me, though. On occasion, my Bastards were different. Sometimes they’d be a sweet, rum punch style of drink. Other times, my beverage would be fizzy with a topper of ginger beer. Both versions were great, but I began to wonder what the deal was. Turns out, there are two cocktails that bear the title of Suffering Bastard.
One is a rum-based mixture, combining lime juice, curaçao and sometimes Mai-Tai mix. Created by the legendary Trader Vic, this Suffering Bastard is a classic cocktail from Southern California’s tiki culture. But tonight’s recipe goes back to World War II.
In 1942, the Allies were advancing through North Africa to defeat the Nazi menace. At Shepheard’s Hotel in Cairo, a bartender named Joe Scialom was doing his part by keeping the Allies hangover-free with his mixture of brandy, gin and ginger beer. The troops were complaining about the awful quality of the local booze and the headaches they induced, so Scialom’s invention was meant as a cure for all of those poor, suffering bastards.
For a time the Nazis were doing well in their campaign, and German General Erwin Rommel, aka the Desert Fox, had boldly declared that he’ll be “drinking champagne in the master suite at Shepheard’s soon.” But the tide turned, and good ol’ Joe received a telegram one day. It requested that gallons of his popular creation be sent to the front lines so the Allied troops could celebrate their victories.
While Scialom’s original recipe calls for brandy, over the years the mix has morphed and changed slightly by the use of bourbon instead. Today, that’s the standard way of preparing this style of Suffering Bastard. But nobody says you can’t go for a more traditional take.
What is the Best Alcohol to Use in a Suffering Bastard?
When choosing which bourbon and gin to use for your Suffering Bastard, there are almost too many choices. Sometimes I’ll find myself at the store, staring at bottles of both. I’ll be looking to try something new, but almost become overwhelmed by the amount of choices I have. Lately, I’ve been enjoying High West bourbon, as it sips beautifully on its own and makes some wonderful mixed drinks. If you’re new to the spirit and want to ease into playing with it, nothing beats a bottle of Jim Beam. As for gin, you can’t go wrong with a traditional London Dry, with some of the popular brands like Tanqueray and Bombay being tops in my book.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce bourbon
- 1 ounce gin
- 1/2 ounce lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- Ginger beer to top
Instructions
- Combine bourbon, gin, lime juice, and bitters in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well until the mixture is well chilled, about 30 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a collins glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with ginger beer to your liking.
- Stir gently to mix and serve immediately.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
Fill a collins glass with ice and pour your Bastard in. Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint and orange wheel.
With one of the main ingredients being carbonated, it is not recommended to make this cocktail in large quantities to store and save for a later time. Your ginger beer will go flat. Yuck. This drink is best when enjoyed fresh.
At 139 calories, this Bastard might not fill you up, but too many might make you suffer the next morning.
For a short time, this drink was alternatively referred to as a Suffering Bar Steward. This was to appease those who bristled at the very thought of drinking anything called a Bastard.
Similar Drinks to the Suffering Bastard
Tied one on a little too hard last night? Need some of the hair of the dog that bit you? Require something that’ll open those sleepy eyes of yours? Or maybe you’re just in the mood for something strong? The Suffering Bastard can satisfy your desires. And if you enjoy this type of tipple, Twist & Toast has others you’ll probably like as well. Try these out this weekend.
- Bloody Mary – Make your brunch less bleary-eyed with this spicy hangover remedy.
- Salty Dog – Gin or vodka combined with grapefruit juice and a salted rim makes a satisfying treat.
- Cucumber Margarita – Add a little heat to your next refreshing tequila concoction.
- Tequila Espresso Martini – Wake up sipping on a little something extra with this trendy and tasty drink.
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