In 1898, as political boss Martin Lomasney clinched a controversial victory in Boston’s eighth ward, the Locke-Ober Café unveiled a drink to match the era’s intrigue—the Ward Eight. This crimson-hued cocktail became liquid shorthand for raw political power.
The Ward Eight is a Whiskey Sour variation that marries Boston’s political history with bold flavors. Named after the city’s eighth voting district—a Democratic stronghold where Martin Lomasney ruled for decades—it combines Rye Whiskey, Fresh Lemon Juice, Fresh Orange Juice, and Grenadine into a drink as complex as the backroom deals that inspired it.
Visually striking with its ruby-red colour (courtesy of pomegranate-based grenadine), it’s traditionally served in a Coupe Glass garnished with Maraschino Cherries. The taste profile swings from sharp lemon tang to orange sweetness, grounded by rye’s peppery warmth and grenadine’s berry depth. At 20-25% ABV, it’s stronger than a Cosmopolitan but smoother than a straight Bourbon.
Preparation requires moderate skill: balancing citrus juices against grenadine’s sweetness while letting Rye Whiskey shine. Originally made with homemade grenadine, modern versions often use artisanal syrups. Served straight-up without ice, it’s ideal for election night parties, historical reenactments, or autumnal gatherings paired with roasted meats.
Though absent from the IBA’s official list, it’s Boston’s undisputed cocktail ambassador. Its cultural footprint includes a 1949 film cameo where a character orders it with the line: ‘Three fingers of bourbon and a beer chaser.’
Born during Boston’s political machine era, the Ward Eight’s story mirrors America’s Gilded Age excesses. The eighth ward (now West End) was Lomasney’s domain, where voters reportedly received ‘assistance’ marking ballots. The cocktail first appeared in print during Prohibition’s end but faded until 21st-century bartenders revived it as a craft cocktail staple.
Modern iterations sometimes swap rye for bourbon or add blood orange twists, yet purists insist on the original formula. The 2012 closure of Locke-Ober Café turned vintage menus into collector’s items, cementing the drink’s legendary status.
To mix a Ward Eight worthy of Beacon Hill:
- Use bonded rye for historical authenticity
- Simmer pomegranate juice and sugar for homemade grenadine
- Shake juices separately for better integration
- Strain into chilled glassware to preserve clarity
- Pair with sharp cheddar or smoked almonds
- Bourbon Ward (substitutes rye with bourbon)
- Blood Orange Ward (uses blood orange juice)
- Temperance Ward (non-alcoholic whiskey alternative)
- Smoked Ward (adds dash of pecan-smoked syrup)
The Ward Eight is more than a cocktail—it’s a distilled history lesson. Perfect for toasting victories, whether fairly won or ‘strategically acquired.’
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before appearing on the site and will be reviewed within 24 hours.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Current Comments: 2