A morning glory cocktail has attitude and is a classic cocktail. The recipe for this drink comes from an edition of Jerry Thomas’ “Bar-Tenders Guide” from 1887, and it’s said to be one of the “hair of the dog” hangover cures from the early years. There’s no doubt that it is a powerful drink-in both flavor and alcohol content-and if you are drinking it first thing in the morning, you might not want to get much done. Honestly, this is one of the best drinks you can get. This cocktail combines a spicy rye whiskey with a smooth cognac (“brandy” was suggested by Thomas) and a whole host of other flavors. An orange curaçao will give you a sweet citrus taste; club soda will fizz; bitters will add a dash of depth; and absinthe will sweeten all of the flavors here. In the beginning, it was made with Gomme syrup, but today it’s made with simple syrup. A drink with too much of any one flavor can easily lose its balance because they cover the spectrum of flavors found in the bar. It’s especially important to measure out the absinthe, so making a great morning glory cocktail begins with measuring every component.
Recipe Variations
There are many variations to cocktail recipes as old as this. These are some of the more common options, so you can combine them as needed in order to tailor the drink to your taste: Some recipes skip the whiskey, opting instead for a 1-ounce pour of cognac alone. Using sugar in place of simple syrup will yield the same results. In addition to Gomme syrup, you can also use this as an option. Then switch to Grand Marnier to replace the orange curaçao. If you want to replace the club soda with some sparkling wine, pour a little of it. The drink can be served with or without ice and in a cocktail glass.
