Insight Editions - John Wayne: The Official Cocktail Book

John Wayne The Official Cocktail Book

Andr Darlington

TO THE FANS OF JOHN WAYNE, MAY YOU NEVER BE PARCHED

I never trust a man that doesnt drink.

John Wayne

Dukes Liquid Courage

Duke Morrison, aka John Wayne, was a tall man with a prodigious thirst. As befits a movie star who was long on action and short on exposition, Wayne wasnt fussy when it came to his drinksbut he was adventurous. When most of Hollywood was kicking back in luxurious restaurant booths with glasses of gin and their pinkies out, he was on location shooting Westerns in the dirt and scrub. Because many of his films were set in the Southwest, the Duke was exposed early to his beloved tequila and its smoky cousin, mezcalboth foreign liquors in mid-twentieth century America. He was also a big fan of bourbon at a time when brandy and scotch were more popular.

Like his on-screen persona, Wayne was a straight-shooting everyman without pretense. By all reports, he was a legendary drinking partnerencouraging fellow cast members to drink and play chess with him until all hours of the night. In fact, Jane Fonda recalls waking up mornings to find her father, Henry Fonda, and Wayne at the kitchen table after imbibing and talking all evening. The drinking anecdotes of Wayne on set, out with friends in Los Angeles, or on his boat, the Wild Goose, could fill a book. Suffice it to say we are in the presence of not only one of Americas great actors, but one of its legendary liquid appetites as well.

The drinks in this book capture the Dukes favorite spiritsbrandy, whiskey, tequila, mezcalplus a number of concoctions derived from, and inspired by, his movies. From his role as Townsend Harris in The Barbarian and the Geisha (1958) (Japanese sake) to his part as Sean Thornton in The Quiet Man (1952) (Irish whiskey), Waynes career gives us the opportunity to enjoy drinks based not only on the post-WWII cocktail era but also on global influences. Rest assured that the mixed drinks in this book are Duke approved; they are not only shaped by his tastes, but also highlight interesting details of his life and work.

The book you hold in your hands is a celebration of the drinking culture and the qualities John Wayne is famous forcourage, ruggedness, and independencebut also the more personal attributes that he is less known for; for example, he would exhort imbibers to always keep a sense of humor, to never forget people who help you, to not suffer fools, and to be gracious. That, fellow cocktailers, is something for which we can all raise a glass. Heres to the Duke!

Base Camp: How to Use This Book

For ease of use, the cocktails in this book are separated by the manner in which they are made. The first chapter is composed of shaken cocktailsdrinks that use fruit juice, dairy, and eggs. To over-generalize, these shaken cocktails tend to be more refreshing and are lighter than their spirituous cousins. This is the chapter to look for drinks like daiquiris or margaritas that make for great welcoming cocktails at gatheringsor anytime a little lift is required. Shaken drinks are followed by stirred cocktails; think drinks that are spirits-only, such as Manhattans, martinis, and Negronis. Following these are cocktails that are built in the glass such as old fashioneds and sazeracs. Then, if you would like to skip straight to large-format cocktails for parties, head to the chapter titled Knockout Punches, where youll find some Duke-worthy party bowls. Finally, the chapter Fore and Hind contains breakfast, hangover, and after-dinner cocktails.

The final chapter is devoted to nosh that the Duke enjoyed with drinks or are inspired by his life and movies. Try a desert-inflected popcorn or a version of his salsa, chili, or Cherries Jubilee. At the end of the book, you find information regarding what comprises a well-stocked John Wayne cocktail pantry as well as a few tips on technique.

Quick Word on Liquor Supplies

For the many whiskey- and tequila-based drinks in this book, seek out Duke Timeless Spiritsliquor that is crafted in the spirit of John Wayne. Duke Timeless Spirits Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey is appropriate for any of the bourbon cocktails in this book, and their extra-aejo tequila is ideal for drinks that showcase aejo, such as . Otherwise, brands are typically not identified in this book. A few of the cocktails require amaro, an herbaceous Italian bitter liqueur.

Great cocktails do not require a lot of fancy or professional equipment, but some items will make mixing drinks easier and improve their quality. For additional information on cocktail pantry items and technique, see .

A bar spoon is not just for properly stirring cocktails. Get one with enough heft at the end of the handle, and it is a great tool for cracking ice.

The preferred piece of equipment for modern bartenders is the two-part Boston shaker, which originally was composed of a metal tin and a glass pint cup; today the two parts are often metal. This prevents breakage if the glass slips from your hands. Two-part metal shakers are widely available in kitchen stores and online.