"Let's go tough guy, I'm waiting to be impressed!" were the words I best remember from my impatient rowing coach. Ultimately, he never was impressed by my mediocre rowing skills, though I do believe I was able to move him to begrudging satisfaction. The simple truth that both of us had to live with was that I was/am not a tough guy.
One whiff of Joel Cairo's gardenia-scented calling cards and I'd have left Sam Spade holding the bird. I would have tried to talk Yule Brynner and Steve McQueen out of going back to that Mexican village after Eli Wallach ran them out. A few good shots to the noggin from Apollo Creed would have had me kissing the canvas for sure. And were it up to me, Han Solo would still be hanging in Jaba's palace.
Clearly, I am not a tough guy, but when a real tough guy suggested a column on “tough guy” drinks, I thought it was a great idea. Of course, figuring out exactly what makes a tough guy drink a tough guy drink is the key. So, after hours and hours of watching Bogart films and reading Zane Grey novels, I’ve formulated a list of criteria to define the tough guy drink.
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Based on a single spirit poured at no less than a 2-to-1 ratio (Tough guys don’t mince words and they don’t mix spirits.)
Does not use a blender (The phrase, “leave the carafe,” just doesn’t sound as tough as, “leave the bottle.”)
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Contains no more than a ½ oz. of fruit juice (I actually had a tough guy once tell me, “I want a drink smart guy. If I wanted fruit juice I’d have a popsicle.”)
Must be served in a glass that won’t break when slammed on the bar in a moment of frustration (‘cause that’s just good cinema)
No carbonation (Tough guys don’t effervesce.)
There are a number of classic cocktails that fit these criteria. Tough guy or not, if you’ve never tried a Bourbon Sidecar (1 oz. Bourbon, 1/2 oz. Lemon Juice, 1/2 oz. Cointreau/Triple Sec) or a Manhattan, (2 oz. Rye Whiskey, 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth, 3 dashes or 2 Tbsp. of Bitters), then you’re missing out.
But as great as those drinks are, I’m going to toss out this often-overlook recipe, which meets all of the tough guy criteria. It’s also not widely consumed and somehow relative obscurity seems just a bit tougher.
Chapel Hill
Ingredients
* Ice (optional) * 1 ½ oz. Bourbon * ½ oz. Triple Sec * 1 tsp. Lemon Juice
Glass
An Old Fashion, or any 6-ish-ounce tumbler that won’t break when slammed on the bar in a moment of frustration.
Preparation
Chapel Hills is a drink you can serve neat or over ice cubes, which are still tough if you call them “rocks.” Firmly smack the glass on the bar and add the ice, if you feel like it. Then drop in an ounce and a half of Bourbon, a half ounce of Triple Sec, and a teaspoon, or a good squirt, of lemon juice. Then garnish with a lemon wedge. A tough guy drink that’s not so tough to make.
If you’re looking for some more fun cocktail-related videos, check out the 30-Second Bartender channel on YouTube at www.youtube.com/user/30secondbartender. And, don’t forget to give me a “like” on Facebook. More recipes are available at www.30-SecondBartender.com!
