Tract · Cocktails

Spirit-forward · Stirred · Historical · complexity 2/5

Whisky Cocktail (Columba and Capsicum)

This whisky cocktail infuses lemon peel, tincture of columba, and capsicum in whisky before straining, then is taken iced or warm.

whisky · bitter · capsicum · citrus · early_bird · restorative · hot_or_cold

Served in Cup or glass. Ice: Ice optional.

Variants (1)

Cooling Cups and Dainty Drinks by William Terrington (1869, p.190) — Terrington 1869

1 piecelemon peel base
0.5 gillwhisky base
2 dropstincture of capsicum bitter
2 fluid drachmstincture of columba bitter
1 pintice — Optional, after straining.other
  1. Infuse the lemon peel, tincture of columba, and tincture of capsicum in the whisky.
  2. Strain the mixture.
  3. Add a pint of ice and serve, or drink it warm if preferred.

Garnish: Piece of lemon peel.

Ice: Ice optional

This is another strong English witness to a pre-standardized cocktail category where hot and cold service still coexist comfortably.

Its medicinal bitters-and-capsicum profile makes it read almost like a fortified restorative.

See also: Whisky Cocktail, Brandy Cocktail (Hot Water), Gin or Whisky Sling

Terrington says to add a pint of ice after straining, or to drink it warm if preferred.