The boy and his poison: The Scofflaw

I went on a massive hangover fuelled Boardwalk Empire binge at the weekend. I was left feeling that spiritually I belonged in the prohibition era and that there weren't enough dancing girls in my life. Point in case, in 1924, a nationwide contest took place in America to invent a word which best described those valiant souls that chose to flout the prohibition, the “lawless drinkers of illegally made or illegally obtained liquor”. The $200 winning entry was a portmanteau of Scoff and Law. It seemed inevitable that someone would make a cocktail celebrating the term.

Surfacing in the Savoy Cocktail book but originally heralding from Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, the place to try one at the moment is Shaker and Company's 'Hide & Speak' pop-up bar in Euston. The drink hits the senses a little like a sidecar, tangy, sweet and perfectly balanced. If you're not already a fan of whisky based cocktails you'll be a convert in 2 sips.

You'll need:

• 50ml Bourbon, Rye or blended whisky 
• 30ml Martini Dry Vermouth
• 30ml grenadine
• 30ml lemon juice
• 2 dashes of orange bitters

Make it:

• Throw all the ingredients in a shaker 
• If your grenadine is thick, dry shake first a couple of times then shake over ice for 10 seconds
• Strain into a coupe glass