Ward Eight
Boston's most significant contribution to classic cocktail canon, a robust and nuanced riff on the Whiskey Sour. This testament to Gilded Age political history balances the spicy character of rye whiskey against bright citrus and the subtle complexity of real pomegranate grenadine.
31%
ABV
medium
Difficulty
coupe
Glass
History & Heritage
“The Ward Eight was born in Boston's Gilded Age political scene at the Locke-Ober Café in 1898, created to celebrate Martin M. Lomasney's election to the state legislature. Lomasney, nicknamed 'the Mahatma,' controlled Boston's eighth ward through his powerful political machine. Bartenders were so confident of his victory that they created the celebratory cocktail in advance. The drink quickly became Boston's signature cocktail and was featured in Esquire's top ten cocktails of 1934, though it suffered during the mid-20th century ingredient quality decline before being rescued by the craft cocktail renaissance.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Chill a coupe glass
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker
Fill the shaker with ice
Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds until well-chilled and properly diluted
Double-strain into the chilled glass
Glassware
Served up in a chilled coupe glass to showcase color and aroma
Garnish
Express oils over surface of drink
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Real pomegranate grenadine is absolutely essential - artificial versions destroy the drink
High-proof rye whiskey (100 proof minimum) is crucial to stand up to citrus
Always use freshly squeezed citrus juices - bottled will create a lifeless cocktail
Double-strain for a smooth, professional texture
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Ward Eight.
The 1:1 Citrus Split
Equal parts lemon and orange juice for a sweeter, less acidic profile
Changes
Increased Grenadine
Up to 1/2 oz grenadine for sweeter palates
Changes
The Soda Top
Served tall with a splash of seltzer for a more refreshing version
Changes
Bourbon Ward Eight
Using bourbon creates a sweeter, rounder drink with vanilla and caramel notes
Changes
Jack Rose
Close cousin using applejack instead of rye whiskey
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Ward 8
Boston's most significant contribution to classic cocktail canon - a robust whiskey sour elevated by orange juice and the sweet, ruby kiss of grenadine. Born from 19th-century political machinations, it's both refreshingly tart and subtly complex.
Scofflaw
Prohibition Paris classic—peppery rye with dry vermouth, lemon, real grenadine, and orange bitters for a crisp, ruby sour.
Frozen Hurricane
The New Orleans storm turned slushy—rum, passion fruit, citrus, and grenadine blended with ice.