Properly Sauced, Pride Edition: Whoa, Nellie!

By Rob Christopher in Food on Jun 8, 2011 7:20PM

June is GLBT Pride Month, and with civil unions a reality in Illinois, there's reason to celebrate. No offense to Lobby Lounge, but there's a better way to celebrate it than "Pride Punch," a snoozy mishmash of Veev Acai Spirit, mango nectar, and (gulp!) Sprite. We think we've found it.

We love rum. We love rye. But the two don't encounter each other very often these days. More's the pity. It wasn't always that way--there are many classic 19th-Century punches that contain both. Ted Haigh, known affectionately as Dr. Cocktail, has mixed up a wonderful glass-sized facsimile thereof, dubbed Whoa, Nellie!

Created during Mardi Gras in 2006, it's sweet but not cloying. The name itself makes it perfect for Pride celebrations, and the recipe is easy to multiply if you'd like to mix up a pitcher for your guests.

Whoa, Nellie!

1.25 oz. Old Overholt rye whiskey
.75 oz. Amrut Old Port Deluxe rum
.75 oz. Mathilde Orange XO Liqueur
4 dashes Angostura biiters
.5 oz. fresh lemon juice
.5 oz. unsweetened white grapefruit juice
.5 oz. simple syrup (or less, to taste)

Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass, or over ice in a tumbler. Garnish with lemon peel.