Wednesday, October 30, 2019

The Satan's Whiskers Cocktail

The Satan's Whiskers Cocktail

A classic drink that’s perfect for Halloween

Watch out for those scary little ghosts and goblins! We hear they’re out in force this time of year. Fortunately, they can be deflected with small candy bars.

But you may need something stronger when they haunt your house. So how about
the Satan’s Whiskers Cocktail? It has spooky good flavor and a name that fits right in with Halloween. Plus it’s not too boozy, so you can drink it on a school night.

No trick, just treat.


The Satan's Whiskers Cocktail

Recipe: The Satan’s Whiskers Cocktail

The Satan’s Whiskers has two well-known variations: “straight” and “curled.” The straight version contains Grand Marnier liqueur, while the curled contains generic orange curaçao. (Grand Marnier is actually a premium orange curaçao. But we think its flavor tends to be smoother and richer – less curly, you might say.)

The Satan’s Whiskers also features gin, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, orange juice, and orange bitters. Its flavor profile is similar to that of The Bronx Cocktail and The Income Tax Cocktail.

This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prepare, and serves one.

Ingredients
  • ½ ounce dry gin
  • ½ ounce dry vermouth (aka French or clear vermouth)
  • ½ ounce sweet vermouth (aka Italian or red vermouth)
  • ½ ounce Grand Marnier (for the straight version) or ¼ ounce orange curaçao (for the curled version)
  • ½ ounce orange juice (preferably fresh-squeezed)
  • 3 to 4 dashes orange bitters
  • orange twist for garnish (optional)

Procedure
  1. Place all ingredients (except garnish) in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake vigorously until the contents are very cold (about 20 seconds).
  2. Strain into a cocktail glass, preferably one that’s been chilled. Add garnish, if you wish, and serve.
The Satan's Whiskers Cocktail

Notes
  • Which version of this drink is better, straight or curled? We like them both, though we may have a slight preference for the curled.
  • BTW, the traditional recipe for this drink calls for ¼ ounce of either Grand Marnier or orange curaçao. But we think the straight version tastes better if you increase the amount of Grand Marnier to ½ ounce.
  • So how did this drink get its name? Well, cocktail expert Eric Felten says that “Satan’s whiskers” used to be a fairly common exclamation. Sort of like “zounds,” we guess. 
  • The Satan’s Whiskers dates back at least to the 1920s. Some say it was a featured drink at the Embassy Club in Hollywood, an establishment popular with film stars. (The Embassy Club also had a namesake drink, the Embassy Cocktail. It contains ¾ ounce brandy, ¾ ounce dark rum, ¾ ounce Cointreau, ½ ounce lime juice, and a dash of Angostura bitters.)
  • Programming Note: Typically, we do one cocktail post a month, on the first Wednesday (except during our Summer Sippin’ Series). In honor of Halloween, though, we decided to mix up a special cocktail post. ‘Cause we’re thirsty. Next week – the first Wednesday of November – we’ll be doing our regular monthly cocktail post.
The Satan's Whiskers Cocktail

Speak of the Devil

“Nice looking drink,” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “It’s a handsome devil.”

“Fiendishly tasty too,” I said.

“Though not too heavy on the alcohol,” said Mrs K R. “So how about conjuring us another round of this demonic potion?”

“Right away,” I said. “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”

“Hmm,” said Mrs K R. “So tasty we want two. But no evil aftereffects. It’s like black magic.”

Double, double. But no toil or trouble.

You may also enjoy reading about:
Zombie Cocktail
Blood and Sand Cocktail
Bloody Mary Cocktail
Corpse Reviver Cocktail
Death in the Afternoon Cocktail
Doctor Funk Cocktail
Monkey Gland Cocktail
Widow's Kiss Cocktail
Bronx Cocktail
Income Tax Cocktail
Cocktail Basics
Or check out the index for more

64 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

Gin and Grand Marnier...I surely would love this too! Looks beautiful!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, this is a wonderful — and rather refreshing — combo of flavors. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

All I can say is Prost ! I love all the ingredients.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, Prost! Neat ingredients, huh? You'll like this. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

What a beauty!!!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, tasty, too. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Ron said...

John, I like the looks of this one. It has a lot of devilish joy in it indeed. I must check our cabinet to assure we have all the necessary ingredients to shake one or three of these tomorrow night. With a Satan's Whiskers in hand and a bowl of candy I just might make it through the night.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ron, this is the perfect potion for surviving Halloween. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Denise Browning said...

The most seductive cocktail ever. Happy Halloween!

savorthebest said...

This sounds SPOOKtacular John ;) What a fun drink! Have a safe and fun Halloween this year.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, Happy Halloween! And thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pat & Dahn, it IS spooktacular. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Natalia said...

Looks amazing, that color!☺

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Natalia, it IS amazing. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

Love the orange color! Hey, the orange juice and that extra boost of Vitamin C doesn't hurt this time of year either :)

Mae Travels said...

"Satan's Whiskers" is a great expression! Maybe better than "Sonja Henie's TuTu"!

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Pam said...

Love that gin and vermouth, so this is a must try! Straight sounds good to me. They're saying it will only be around 35° here, and snow/rain all day, not good trick or treating weather, so doubt if there will be many of them. Bill thinks otherwise, so we'll see! Happy sipping and Halloween, John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, and we're entering orange season, too -- another reason to drink this. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, LOL! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, weather here will be a bit iffy, too. Fortunately we'll be warm and dry inside -- sipping these. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Merryn@merrynsmenu said...

Satan's Whiskers is such an unusual name hard to believe it was once an exclamation. However this is a darn fine cocktail, however I think it I would try it on a weekend as Halloween here is tonight - Thursday night. Happy Halloween Mr and Mrs KR!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Merryn, anticipation is half the fun. Here's to the weekend! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Juliana said...

Oh John, you have here the two of my favorites...gin and Grand Marnier...it looks fabulous...and I am loving the picture of the spider...so much fun.
Enjoy the rest of your week!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Juliana, we had fun with that spider picture! :-) Thanks for the comment.

mjskit said...

This is an orange lover's dream. Love the name and its ingredients seem to fit the name just right. :) BTW - I mentioned in my last post about The Harvey Girls Cocktail. Have you heard of it? It was a fruity cocktail and quite good. Might want to check it out. I'm sure it has an interesting history. :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, isn't this nice? Definitely an orange lover's dream. And I'm not familiar with the Harvey Girl's Cocktail, but it sounds like fun. I'll have to look it up. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Terry at Blue Kitchen said...

John, you know me and gin—I'm totally ready to try this. Thanks for the Halloween treat.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Terry, enjoy! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sherry's Pickings said...

well this sounds like a deliciously orange-y drink KR. Quite delightful I'm sure. Happy Halloween! cheers S

Ala said...

You definitely put it right when you said that this drink is all treat! I love that it's not too boozy and that it's got that nice refreshing tang. Thanks for sharing, John--hope your Halloween is filled with "boo"s!

All That I'm Eating said...

A brilliant orange pumpkin coloured cocktail just in time for Halloween! Really like the sound of this one.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, lotta orange in this drink! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ala, neat, huh? Happy Halloween, and thanks for the comment!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Caroline, it's a fun drink, and nicely flavored. Good stuff. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen said...

Ooohh this sounds so refreshing! And I love the color--plus I need a little alcohol to get through Halloween because my dog always goes nuts :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelsie, this one has just a little alcohol in it. Just a little. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

It's a good thing we never get trick-or-treaters at our front door. I'm sure their parent's would be aghast when I try to ply one of these on their little goblin or ghoul. GREG

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, :-) You'll just have to ply yourself. :-) Thanks for the comment.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Love your photo with the spider- Looks very spooky and Halloweensy!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Judee, that was a fun photo to take. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Marcelle said...

This drink is a perfect harvest color, John. I always love to read your posts with the history of a cocktail, I can just imagine Greta Garbo with this glass in her hand! Gorgeous photos, as always!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marcelle, Greta Garbo definitely could have enjoyed this :-) Thanks for the comment.

GiGi Eats said...

Did you drink this last night!? ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, yup. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Cocoa and Lavender said...

I think this goes best with a screening of “The Crucible.“ what a great cocktail!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, good idea! The perfect mixer. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

What a name! But it sure sounds divine. ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, the name is a hoot, isn't it? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Healthy World Cuisine said...

Sure wish we had tending the bar at our last gathering. You have a plethora of divine drinks for every occasion. Enjoy your weekend and take care

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, it's all about the research when it comes to drinks. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

This citrusy cocktail is perfect for Halloween, but I'd definitely find some excuse to make it all through the year. Such a beauty!

Balvinder said...

What a sleek drink!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, this drink is wonderful any time of the year! And with all that citrus flavor, we'd even have it for breakfast. :-) Well, for a brunch, maybe. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Balvinder, really good, too. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Laura Dembowski said...

There is something very cocktail-y about Halloween, isn't there? My mom's favorite is Grand Marnier, although I have become a real fan of Combier for a cleaner flavor. Either way, you can't go wrong with orange.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, Combier doesn't have a brandy base (it's a triple sec) so it definitely would have a cleaner flavor. Haven't tried a triple sec in this drink -- neat idea. And Halloween has become one of our favorite cocktail holidays! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Valentina said...

I love desserts with Grand Marnier, so I'm guessing I'd love this cocktail. Halloween or not. :-) ~Valentina

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Valentina, bet you WOULD like this. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Easyfoodsmith said...

I don't drink but you had me at the Grand Marnier :P I love adding it to my puddings.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Taruna, Grand Marnier is wonderful stuff, isn't it? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Debra Eliotseats said...

Perfect. (Or should I say purrrfect in reference to the whiskers?)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Debra, :-) We just call it devilishly good. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Jeff the Chef said...

Sounds delicious. Two vermouths - that's interesting. Creepy spider!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, that spider is fun! :-) Thanks for the comment.