Remember the Maine

Remember the Maine: Charles H. Baker's Cuban Revolution Cocktail

In his famed text The Gentleman's Companion, Charles H. Baker, Jr. says he discovered the Remember the Maine cocktail in Cuba in 1933, when the Cuban Revolution was underway Imbibe Magazine. The drink's name references the USS Maine battleship that exploded in Havana Harbor in 1898, an event that helped spark the Spanish-American War with the rallying cry "Remember the Maine, to hell with Spain!"

The cocktail is essentially a Manhattan variation that uses rye whiskey and sweet vermouth, but adds Cherry Heering liqueur and incorporates absinthe instead of traditional bitters. Remember the Maine builds on the spicy notes of rye and the herbal zing of sweet vermouth, but introduces two game-changing ingredients — absinthe and cherry liqueur — which add subtle layers of anise and fruit, respectively Food Republic. The drink is typically served in a coupe glass that has been rinsed with absinthe, creating an aromatic herbal note without overwhelming the whiskey base. The International Bartenders Association classifies it as one of their "Unforgettables."

RECIPE:

2 oz rye whiskey

¾ oz sweet vermouth

2 tsp Cherry Heering

½ tsp absinthe

Lemon twist or cherry

Method:

1. Rinse coupe glass with absinthe, discard excess

2. Add whiskey, vermouth, and Cherry Heering to mixing glass with ice

3. Stir until well-chilled

4. Strain into prepared glass

5. Garnish with lemon twist