Talkin' Shit About A Pretty Sunset

My latest favorite cocktail to make at my home bar is the Blue Blazer -- a cocktail that dates back to the famous 19th century bartender, Jerry Thomas. He created it in the early 1860s.

According to David Wondrich's book Imbibe!, the story of the creation of the Blue Blazer started when a "bewhiskered giant, laden with gold lust, with three layers of pistols strapped around his middle" stomped into the bar, and shouted, "Barkeep! ... Fix me up some hell-fire that'll shake me right down to my gizzard."

The barkeep then proceeded to mix up some high-proof scotch with boiling water in a silver mug, and proceeded to pour the flaming mixture back and forth between each mug "with a rapidity and dexterity that were well nigh unbelieveable."

And it's fun as shit to make. Here's a video of me making one down in my basement.