Suffering Bastard Cocktail
A crisp, spicy classic from Cairo’s wartime bar scene—gin, bourbon, lime, bitters, and ginger beer over ice for a bracing, refreshing highball.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Measuring jigger
- Bar spoon
- Strainer
- Highball glass
- Ice cubes
Ingredients
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz bourbon
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- 2 dash Angostura bitters
- 4 oz ginger beer chilled
- 0.5 oz vodka optional
- ice cubes for shaking and serving
- 1 lime wheel or mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a shaker halfway with ice. Add gin, bourbon, fresh lime juice, and bitters.
- Shake about 10 seconds until the shaker feels frosty.
- Strain into a highball glass packed with fresh ice.
- Top with chilled ginger beer and give a gentle stir to combine.
- Garnish with a lime wheel or mint sprig. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use a spicy ginger beer for the best snap. Vodka is optional and increases strength without changing flavor much. Never shake carbonated ginger beer—add it after straining to preserve fizz.