Sir Angry Walter

Sir Walter (the Angry Robot)

"In seeking truth you have to get both sides of a story." - Walter Cronkite

The Sir Walter cocktail hearkens back to the pre-prohibition era of Harry MacElhone, where it first appears in his amusing and influential book Barflies and Cocktails, 1927. MacElhone purchased the Parisian “New York Bar” in 1923, added his name to the window sign, and made “Harry’s New York Bar” one of the more famous expatriate establishments of the era. The mixture of rum and cognac, sweetened with hints of orange and pomegranate, has been suggested as referencing either Sir Walter Raleigh or Sir Walter Scott, although since MacElhone was from Dundee, Scottland, the latter sir more likely caused the stir.

“Oh, what a tangled web we weave...when first we practice to deceive.” – Sir Walter Scott

I’m not sure Sir Walter Scott would have truly appreciated his namesake cocktail, with rum and cognac. One might imagine him far more enamored of the water of life from his Highlands peat. But MacElhone catered to the tastes of the twenties and had more pressing matters to attend to, such as creating the “International Bar Flies”, a not-so-secret society of drinkers whose home base was fly “Trap No. 1” - you guessed it - Harry’s New York Bar. Harry had a wicked sense of humor and a set of rules for his society. Rule number ten? “Remember, nothing is on the house but the roof.” Cheers!

anger management

Sir Angry Walter (adapted from Harry MacElhone, c. 1927)

1 oz gold rum

1 oz cognac

¼ oz orange curacao

¼ grenadine

¼ lemon

½ oz Campari

Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a favorite glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or angry robot lemon wheel.