I neither want it nor need it, but I should think it pretty hazardous to interfere with the ineradicable habit of a lifetime.
~ Winston Churchill
CHURCHILL'S LIFELONG LOVE OF DRINKING
Much is said of Winston Churchill's drinking habits. It is acknowledged, by himself and others, he had a great fondness for drink. Whether he was an alcoholic or not is still up for debate, but his passion for spirits is not. He was so fond of alcohol that it added greatly to his debt and at one time he owed his wine merchant the equivalent of $75,000. His doctor even wrote him a prescription for alcohol when he visited the United States during Prohibition.
Originally a brandy and soda drinker, Churchill took to drinking scotch as a young man in India and South Africa, "The water being unfit to drink, one had to add whisky and, by dint of careful application I learned to like it." As a result his daily tipple was a nip of Johnnie Walker Red with a goodly amount of water, something his children called a "Papa Cocktail".
Scotch was just one of his favorite spirits, he was also fond of claret, hock, brandy and his beloved Pol Roger Champagne.
I could not live without Champagne. In victory I deserve it. In defeat I need it.
~ Winston Churchill
Churchill also enjoyed Plymouth gin, though he did not personally care for vermouth, thus the Churchill Martini is basically a glass of cold gin.
I would like to observe the vermouth from across the room while I drink my martini.
~ Winston Churchill
REGARDING THE CHURCHILL COCKTAIL
The recipe was first printed in Esquire in September 1939, nine months before Churchill became Prime Minister. Created at the American Bar in the Savoy hotel in London by bartender Joe Gilmore in honor of Winston Churchill, the Churchill Cocktail is a scotch variation of a Manhattan (traditionally made with rye whiskey), or like a Rob Roy with the addition of lime juice and Cointreau.
It a fairly citrus forward drink with a bit of smokiness from the scotch. There is no mention whether Churchill ever enjoyed this particular drink, even though he was a patron of the American Bar throughout most of his life.
The
CHURCHILL
COCKTAIL
INGREDIENTS
1-1/2 Oz Johnnie Walker Scotch
(I used JW Black, my preferred JW Scotch)
1/2 Oz Fresh Lime Juice
1/2 Oz Sweet Vermouth
1/2 Oz Cointreau
Garnish: Lime Twist
Tools: Bar Spoon
Glass: Cocktail or Coupe
DIRECTIONS
Stir ingredients together with ice, strain into a chilled glass then garnish and serve.
I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me.
~ Winston Churchill
* While the discussions still abound regarding Churchill's sobriety, not one single person mentions his weight. At 5'6" Churchill was quite a sturdy figure and more girth equals more capacity for alcohol consumption.
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
