The “Piston” puzzle gave me some angst while attempting to solve it so I’m “taking the piss”, as my British friends say, with this toast. I’ve had a little vial of rare juice waiting to use in something special, and the time has come. When unexpectedly startled, the American Woodhouse toad will pee in self defense. Pick one up, for example, and be prepared to be saturated in toxic toileting. Some toads also secrete toxins or deadly poisons through their skin. These rare secretions, from just the right amphibian and harvested in just the right moonlight, may also be hallucinogenic. Naturalist toad hunter Robert Yarger procured an entire vial of this precious piss and I am now the proud proprietor. I’ve used a few drops of his precious “Startled Toad Juice”, which tastes quite like salted preserved lemon extract, in this potion.

Taking my cues from the Prairie School of form and function I surmised that the Piston Cocktail should appear to have been. Hmmm? Wait for it, read that again, and … there you go. This is a gin based drink with ties to the martini and the Last Word using appropriately hued components: the distinctly herbal French aperitif Suze, the mildly bitter Italian aperitivo Cocchi Americano, and an irreverent hint of sweetness in the form of Giffard’s banana liqueur. Adding a pinch of salt to cocktails is also a common trick to enhance the flavors, and the salty lemon Toad Juice is a nice touch here. Whether you’re feeling pissed, taking the piss or just want to get pissed, I’ve got your drink right here. Cheers!

The Piston Cocktail

1 ½ oz gin

¾ oz Suze

½ oz Banana liqueur

½ oz Cocchi Americano

barspoon preserved lemon extract

Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Garnish with a thin stream of lemon peel.