Sharkbait’s Cocktail of the Week: Pushing It To The Limit

Happy August Friday everyone. After three weeks of more contemporary drinks (including a hybrid I made up), I wanted to go back to a more classic drink. I picked one from the prohibition era that has been on my radar for a little while: The Twelve Mile Limit.

A little bit of backstory on this cocktail before we get to mixing. It gets its name from the jurisdiction the Feds had off of the coastlines. In order to prevent the landing of illegally smuggled hooch, the government claimed twelve miles offshore as US property, so the Volstead act could be enforced there. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t very effective, as alcohol continued to be landed in great quantities. All it did was make it look like the government was actually doing something, as well as give a line in the sand (sea?) where enterprising individuals could sail out and drink to their hearts content. As well as name what I hope will be a tasty cocktail. Let’s find out, shall we?

Twelve Mile Limit:

1 oz. White Rum

.5 oz. Rye whiskey

.5 oz. Brandy

.5 oz. Grenadine

.5 oz. Fresh lemon juice

Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

A little housekeeping note before we begin. I ended up shorting the grenadine about .25 oz,  maybe a little bit less. My grenadine situation is Roses Grenadine Syrup. Having been burned by adding too much in past creations, I was afraid it would overpower every other flavor, and make it cloyingly sweet.

There is not much of an aroma here. I get a faint rum smell and little bit of fruit; I assume as a result of the fresh lemon and twist and grenadine syrup.

The sip starts strong, mellows out in the middle, and has a little kick at the end. It seems like the rum and the rye are fighting for flavor domination at the top, but then the brandy slips in to mellow both flavors out. The lemon seizes the opportunity and shows off right at the end there.

I’m glad I backed off on the syrup. The little amount I put in messed with the color. It turned out very pink, more so that I was expecting. At least my theory about the sweetness held up. It definitely isn’t “shave your teeth” sweet. Always a plus in my book.

Overall, despite having three types of booze in it, the Twelve Mile Limit doesn’t taste overly strong. However, it is most definitely not the smoothest drinker I’ve ever had. I’d try this one again with real grenadine next time. Enjoy the weekend everyone.

Oh, and one more thing;

WEAR. A. FUCKING. MASK.

(Banner image found here)