GRUMPY OLD MAN

GRUMPY OLD MAN

2 ounces bourbon

1 ounce lime juice

Ginger ale/Vernors is best

Tonight’s cocktail is in honor of Red, my father-in-law and the greatest grumpy old man I’ve ever known. He was a classic — one of 12 children and father of six; married to wife Joan, whom he called “woman,” for over 50 years; ex-Navy man; chain smoker; and handy with tools. But touch his tools, and you would get a good cussing and yelling in return. You never knew what insult was going to come out of Red’s mouth, but it was usually very creative and entertaining! One of my favorites was when he told anyone walking through his garage to clap their hands while they walked, so he could be sure they weren’t stealing anything.

Unfortunately, Red passed away a few years back, but if was still around, I think he would have loved the GRUMPY OLD MAN cocktail. To make it, just put bourbon, lime juice and ginger ale into a short cocktail glass that is half-filled with ice, stir well and garnish with a lime wheel.

The GRUMPY OLD MAN is actually a very charming drink that deserves a better name. The lime and ale complimented the Old Granddad bourbon that I used to a near-perfect degree and didn’t hide the full flavor of the bourbon. The cocktail wasn’t too sweet or too sour either. It’s a crowd-pleaser that will be a hit with those who like sweet cocktails and those who like dry ones equally. That describes Hubby and me, and we both enjoyed sipping our GRUMPY OLD MANs. Hubby loved the actual cocktail a little less than me, but the use of Vernors ginger ale, one of his favorite sodas, made us even. And by the drink’s end, we were both the opposite of grumpy.

Drink Up^

Cocktail Connie