The Billionaire Cocktail from Employees Only

The massive bank vault-esque lock protecting the How? Box deserves a rather “rich” cocktail, wouldn’t you say?  The “Millionaire Cocktail” is a Prohibition era classic with multiple personalities.  There are quite a few different versions of this drink, all with the same name, and all extremely different.  But all clearly intended to make the sophisticated sipper of the day feel like a lot of money.  The Millionaire No. 1, from Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book (1930), combined sloe gin, apricot brandy, lime, rum and grenadine.  That, along with solving the Hale’s Lock #1, might make you, too, feel like number one.  The masters of mixology at New York’s landmark Employee’s Only bar have taken their choice of the Millionaire (this time, bourbon, Grand Marnier, Ricard pastis, grenadine and lemon juice, from 1938) and given it their modern update.  Their “Billionaire Cocktail” ups the ante with a richer, high proof bourbon and a special house made Absinthe bitters.  This aint no dime store whiskey sour, folks.  It’s a modern classic that will leave you wondering How? you never had one before, How? soon you might have another, and How? you got so lucky to enjoy such marvelous puzzles.  Special thanks to Shane Hales, I raise my glass to you.  Cheers!

The Billion dollar question - How?

The Billionaire Cocktail (adapted from “Speakeasy” by Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric)

2 oz high proof bourbon (I used Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve)

1 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice

½ oz simple syrup

½ oz grenadine (craft or homemade preferable)

¼ oz Absinthe Bitters (homemade version from Employees Only is easy to make)

Lemon wheel garnish

Shake together over ice and strain into your favorite glass.  Top with lemon wheel and count your fortunes.