The Blinker: Prohibition Era Cocktail

        The Blinker's origin is very fuzzy, but like so many other classic cocktails you look for it's first appearance in a publication.  The Blinker was featured in Patrick Duffy's The Official Mixer's Manual in 1934.   The drink had a sweet tart flavor that was a blend of tart citrus and sweet syrup.   The cocktail was balance by the flavor of the spicy rye whiskey.   Most historians feel that the cocktail first appeared toward the end of Prohibition or just after Appeal.

      The cocktail's simplicity is a wonderful factor in appeal of the cocktail for both home and pub consumption.    The cocktail has three ingredients, but a really great appeal to patrons of the era.  

      The ingredients, rye, grapefruit juice, and grenadine, probably  too sweet. too child like. or not manly enough.    This cocktail is  instead, a clean, fresh, and just a bit of a kick.  

The Blinker (Early Version)
 

2 oz. Rye

1 oz. Grapefruit Juice

1 tsp. Grenadine

Place all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake until chilled, strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon slice or twist.

The Rum Blinker

• 2 oz. Barbancourt 15  Year Old Rum
• 1 oz. White Grapefruit Juice
• 1 /2 oz. DeKuypers Pomegranate  Liqueur

Place all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake until chilled, strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon slice or twist.