Method
- Pour ginger beer into a Collins or highball glass.
- Shake gin, brandy, lime juice, Demerara syrup, and bitters with cracked or cubed ice in a shaker.
- Strain the mixture into the glass filled with more ice.
- Garnish with a mint spring and a swizzle stick.
About the Suffering Bastard
The Suffering Bastard is a highball cocktail with a complex character from its combination of gin, brandy, ginger beer, lime juice, and Demerara syrup. The drink balances the botanical notes of gin with the warmth of brandy, sweetened by Demerara syrup and brightened by lime, while ginger beer adds spicy effervescence.
History
The Suffering Bastard originated during World War II, created by bartender Joe Scialom at Shepheard's Hotel in Cairo as a drink for Allied troops. The original recipe called for brandy and gin with the addition of Angostura bitters, though variations with bourbon or rum also existed.