Wednesday, January 5, 2022

The Eye Opener Cocktail

The Eye Opener Cocktail

This “morning after” drink delivers great flavor any time of day

Happy New Year! Still feeling the effects of late-night revelry? We’ve got a restorative beverage for you.

Some say the Eye Opener Cocktail is the perfect pick-me-up after a night that ended in the early hours of the morning. Because it contains an egg yolk, some might call it a health drink, too.

We just consider it a fun drink with interesting flavor. And it’s a bit of a conversation starter – that is, if you’re up for conversation after that wild New Year’s Eve you celebrated.

The Eye Opener Cocktail

Recipe: The Eye Opener Cocktail

These days, most mixed drinks are called cocktails. But back when cocktails were first being concocted (18th century or so), the “cocktail” handle referred specifically to drinks that were drunk in the morning, often as a restorative. Or something like that – there’s a lot of cocktail lore that’s more fiction than fact.

Anyway, the Eye Opener Cocktail definitely is in the “hair of the dog” camp. It’s supposed to perk you up after a night of over-enthusiastic imbibing. Because it contains an egg yolk, we suppose some folks (not us) might also consider it breakfast.

There are several cocktail recipes for the Eye Opener. This is the best of the breed, we think. It’s also the one that cocktail historian extraordinaire David Wondrich favors.

This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prepare and serves 1.

Ingredients

  • 1½ ounces dark rum (see Notes)
  • ½ teaspoon Grand Marnier (or other orange curaçao of choice)
  • ½ teaspoon apricot liqueur (see Notes)
  • 1 teaspoon grenadine (preferably Homemade)
  • 1 egg yolk

Procedure

  1. Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker. Don’t add ice. Cover and shake vigorously for about 20 seconds (see Notes).
  2. Add ice (cracked ice is best) to the shaker, then shake again for about 20 seconds.
  3. Strain the drink into a rocks (Old-Fashioned) glass or a cocktail glass (our preference).

The Eye Opener Cocktail
Notes

  • Why shake the drink first without ice (Step 1)? To help the egg yolk develop a silky, foamy texture. You can skip this step if you want, but shaking first without ice (and then again with ice) will make for a more voluminous drink.
  • This drink traditionally is served in a rocks glass. But we think it works better in a cocktail glass.
  • The Eye Opener usually isn’t garnished. We thought about adding a fried bacon garnish, but resisted.
  • Eggs carry a slight, but real, risk of salmonella. So be careful about the egg you select for this drink. Use something as fresh as possible, and preferably one that is locally raised by a small producer (most of the salmonella problems are caused by “factory” raised eggs).
  • BTW, the egg yolk doesn’t add much flavor to the drink. Rather, it provides a creamy mouth feel. And a bit of nutrition, of course. Kind of the original protein supplement.
  • Speaking of protein supplements, eggs were a pretty frequent addition to malted milks and milk shakes in the first half of the 20th century. Or so we’ve been told.
  • Another fun drinks tidbit about eggs: New York Egg Creams don’t include any egg at all. They’re just a combo of syrup (often chocolate), milk, and seltzer water.
  • OK, enough about eggs. Let’s talk about booze. Dark rum provides most of the flavor in this drink (we use a dark rum with a moderate flavor, like Bacardi 8 or Cruzan). Grand Marnier (or other orange curaçao) provides a nice citrus nose. And apricot liqueur (essentially the same thing as apricot brandy) provides a delightful floral note.
  • About apricot liqueur: Avoid the cheapies. It’s worth visiting a good liquor store to purchase a decent brand. We currently favor Rothman & Winter for drinks. Marie Brizard Apry is also terrific. But ask your friendly liquor store personnel for a recommendation if in doubt.
  • Rothman & Winter apricot liqueur is relatively low proof. So once it’s open, we store it in the refrigerator to slow down oxidization.
  • Our usual disclaimer: We’re noncommercial hobby bloggers and are not compensated for mentioning brands. We recommend what we like and use (and purchase with our own money).
  • The Eye Opener originally was a morning drink. But we don’t drink in the morning (even a glass of wine at lunch often is pushing it for us). So we would recommend serving the Eye Opener as a late-afternoon tipple, preferably with a snack of some kind. Its flavor and texture also make it a nice after-dinner drink.

The Eye Opener Cocktail
Laying An Egg

“We’ve had plenty of cocktails with egg whites,” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “But not many with egg yolks. Other than eggnog, I guess.”

“Definitely an unusual cocktail ingredient for us,” I said. “But I love the texture it adds to this drink. Eggs-tremely nice.”

“So, you’re starting the new year with eggs-actly the same lousy jokes you ended last year with?” said Mrs K R. “How eggs-asperating!”

Mrs K R is a tough egg to crack, isn’t she?

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72 comments:

savorthebest said...

Happy New Year! I bet the egg yolk makes this so luxurious.

Mae Travels said...

Interesting cocktail! I think I remember when people would put a raw egg into a milkshake, before the salmonella bacteria took over.

Have a happy New Year! I did a New Year's wrap up of what experts are predicting as the most popular bar drinks of 2022 -- not that I'm likely to drink them. I just like the names. But you might find something in it that you like:

https://maefood.blogspot.com/2022/01/what-was-in-your-cup-of-kindness-on-new.html

best... mae

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pat and Dahn, this has a terrific mouthfeel. And flavor. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, I barely remember people putting egg in milkshakes -- used to think it was weird. But I've learned better. :-) On my way to check out your link! Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

It's covering 2 food gruits actually, protein and fruits! Happy New Year to you and the Mrs.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, I like the way you think. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Pam said...

I'd also call it hair of the dog. Looks and sounds tasty.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, it tastes pretty good. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Terry at Blue Kitchen said...

Wow, I've seen so many drinks with egg whites, but never egg yolks. You've opened my eyes with this one, John. I'm not suffering from NYE overindulging, but I may still try this cure. Thanks!

mjskit said...

Now that's interesting - a cocktail was basically the morning after drink. Did not know that. Well, the "eye opener" is the perfect name for this drink. WOW! Yes, it would definitely open my eyes, for a while, then put me right back to sleep. :) Quite strong, but I bet it tastes great. Happy New Year John! What a great way to start the year.

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

I love the combination of flavors in this delicious looking drink! Of course being a rum lover makes it even better.

Angie's Recipes said...

Happy New Year, John! An egg yolk in a cocktail..now that's interesting, different and sounds really yummy too.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Terry, it's a cure worth trying. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Judee, so many great rums out there, aren't there? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, it is yummy, Different, too. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, this is a nice way to start the new year. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

bread&salt said...

Happy and healthy 2022 to you Dear friend! This recipe looks so strong. Especially, egg makes it healthy and strong.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi B&S, the egg is great in this. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Merryn said...

Happy New Year to you both! This seems like a decadent and luxurious cocktail as you've suggested for late afternoon or early evening. Great information about morning cocktails and the inclusion of egg into them. If I had a morning cocktail the whole day would just slip by ... wishing you health and happiness in 2022.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Merryn, that's one of the reasons we don't drink cocktails in the morning. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

Happy New Year!! This sounds like quite the cocktail. I love the egg yolk that is added.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dawn, it's a fun tipple. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Jeff the Chef said...

Oh, those were the days when you could drink in the morning to get past a hangover! I'll have mine with bacon; I've got not shame.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, the bacon garnish would probably look pretty awesome. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Fran @ G'day Souffle said...

This looks like a nice fruity beverage- and one that Rocky would like for his training (and he doesn't mind drinks with raw eggs)!

Eha said...

Altho' a very spicy Bloody Mary is probably as far as I'll go in trying to make last night's sins eminently sensible . . . may I wish you and yours as many sunny days as possible in the upcoming year ! Have used and am using raw eggs since childhood . . . lucky ours here are quite safe . . . have not dropped my wine with lunch habit either from the 'business lunch' days . . . if alone I don't drink at night !!! To each their . . . etc !

Eva Taylor said...

Welcome back! Happy New Year to you too!
What a lovely cocktail, including the egg yolk. I read that Canadian eggs are not pasteurized which I find incredibly inconsistent because our government thinks we’re too stupid to make our own informed choices.
Éva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com/

Ron said...

Happy New years to you as well John. I think your cocktail would certainly open my eyes. In my early days we had two camps when it came to drinking. Highball drinkers and cocktail drinkers. Cocktails were usually a fancy drink and highballs were often served in ice tea glasses or a mason jar. So, if you have a highball at a cocktail party would it become a highball party? You guys take care over your way.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Fran, just think of this as the original smoothie. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eha, yup, we all have to decide when/where/how to drink. :-) Raw eggs are almost always safe, except when they're not, alas. Really helps to find a good, local supplier. Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Eva, most of our eggs aren't pasteurized, and pasteurized eggs have become really hard to find in our market. So we're just careful in what we buy. Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ron, I've been thinking about doing a highball post (actually drinks like a Gin and Tonic is a form of highball, so we've technically done some highball posts already). Maybe as part of the Summer Sippin' Series? :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Family Spice said...

I've heard of people drinking egg yolks in the morning but not in a cocktail. Of course with rum involved, I don't think I would care that I was drinking a raw egg yolk!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, rum makes everything better. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Anne in the kitchen said...

Love the puns as usual, but this is one cocktail you have posted that I will never try. I don't like eggs cooked and a raw yolk is stuff my nightmares are made of. It is a pretty drink though!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Anne, sounds like this is one drink you should absolutely skip! It's still fun to look at the pictures, though. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Happy Retiree's Kitchen said...

Happy New Year John. Ha, ha, our New Years Eve wasn't exactly wild this year, but I would love this cocktail anyway. Beautiful photos.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pauline, ours wasn't all that wild either, actually, but that still wouldn't stop us from drinking one of these. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Raymund said...

Happy New Year to you too John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Raymund, Happy New Year! :-)

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

Happy New Year John. What an interesting cocktail . I love your puns, they always make me smile.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, we do love lousy puns. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Haseen said...

Happy New Year John!
With the new year, new beginnings your cocktail for sure has opened my eyes. I never knew one could think of adding the yolks to a drink.And for sure you have nailed the post with extra punch and your humour always adds that extra kick.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Haseen, fun drink, isn't it? :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina said...

It sounds like your wife and you have a lot of good fun at cocktail time. My husband doesn't drink, so I enjoy making creative concoctions by myself. I never knew that shaking a drink first without ice helps an egg yolk become more silky. Great advice!
Cheers to a better year!

Food Gal said...

With the color of a pretty cantaloupe smoothie, how can I resist? Happy 2022 to you and your family!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Roz, we do have a lot of fun! :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, this is quite smoothie-like. :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

I bet that egg yolk gives the best texture!! Good tips on shaking the drink first!!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, the texture is SO creamy -- great mouthfeel. Thanks for the comment.

Cocoa and Lavender said...

I don’t believe I have ever had a beverage with egg yolk in it! This has me very curious, John.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, the egg yolk is definitely different. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Balvinder said...

Happy New Year to you, John! Quite interesting name of the drink. Is it because of the egg that it is called eye opener?

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Balvinder, partially the egg, but more because it helps wake you. That's the theory, at least! :-) Thanks for the comment, and Happy New Year!

Ben | Havocinthekitchen said...

My favourite restorative drink always is water (And maybe coffee or tea), so I'll keep this cocktail for the nights (Perhaps followed by a restorative drink morning) :) Indeed, it's such a lovely combination of flavours. I don't even mind the egg yolk as it adds silkiness and creaminess.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ben, the mouthfeel of the egg is wonderful. Worth having. :-) Thanks for the comment.

R's Rue said...

Delicious.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi R, it is! :-) Thanks for the comment.

lisa is cooking said...

Happy New Year! Great tip regarding shaking the egg yolk first without ice. Can't wait to try it!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lisa, Happy New Year! And thanks for the comment. :-)

Denise Browning said...

Cheers! Love the suggestive name of this cocktail!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, neat name, neat drink. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Inger said...

You know this almost has a pale winter sunrise color! I think I could drink one in bed on New Year's Day!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Inger, the color is great, isn't it? Subtle, but great. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

I would love this kind of protein shake every morning! Who knows? It might really open my eyes!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, much, much better than a regular protein shake. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Laura Dembowski said...

Any cocktail with Grand Marnier sounds good to me, and teh addition of apricot is so intriguing.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, apricot liqueur is really good stuff. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sherry's Pickings said...

great photos, great cocktail! cheers and bottoms up!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, Bottoms up! Thanks for the comment.

Healthy World Cuisine said...

This cocktail is a first for us. What a way to ring in the new year with something new and fun. Cheers!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, cheers! :-) Thanks for the comment.