We do a batch of Rock and Rye every year at Rustic during citrus season. The whole fun is forgetting about it and then, months later, remembering it’s there. The last couple of years, instead of serving it by itself on a BFR, we’ve added it to a punch (2022) or as a component of a drink such as the Unforgiven (2023).

The basic premise, as far as I can tell with a limited amount of research (plus each site gives a slightly different recipe), is to make a giant, non-diluted batch of old fashioned with a high proof rye. Throw some rock candy in there along with some cherry syrup, some sliced citrus, and a sprinkle of horehound and you’re on your way to greatness. If you’re feeling squirrelly, go ahead and throw a couple of cloves in there, a half a dried star anise flower, a cinnamon stick, whatever else floats your boat.

This is where you can also put your old leftover Luxardo cherry syrup to good use, as well as some seasonal winter Meyer lemons, blood oranges, etc. Whatever you have hanging around the place. Slice it up, drop it in.

The Rock and Rye backstory is pretty interesting. Back in the late nineteenth century, this stuff was sold as medicine. A common cold remedy apparently. Ha. Can you imagine being a sick kid and your mom or dad spooning you some high proof liquor as a cure? I mean, I guess it is in a way. Most over the counter medicines include alcohol or something worse as is. There’s almost nothing better to dull pain, both physical and emotional, unless you want to explore narcotics such as opioids. Lately, the old Rock and Rye has experienced a bit of a resurgence. There’s companies now making it, bottled and canned and some bars too. We’re one of them. I love this old school type shit. It’s a good story to tell and it’s also delicious. If you’re looking for a an olde school recipe, there’s not much out there. Harry Craddock has an on the fly version in the first edition of The Savoy Cocktail Book.

Rock and Rye Cocktail

1 Glass Rye Whisky, or Canadian Club

Dissolve 1 Piece of Rock Candy in it

The Juice of 1 Lemon can be added if desired

I love these old timey recipes. There’s no system of measurement that really makes sense. Hey, just take a glass of whisky, add a lump of rock candy and maybe some lemon if you want. By the way, dissolving the rock candy can take anywhere from 1 day to 2 weeks depending. Mmm…Medicine…

I bet you didn’t know that during prohibition there were six distilleries who were still allowed to produce booze under the watchful eye of the U.S. Government. This is when the Bottled in Bond act came about, etc. Yes, you could be prescribed bourbon, rye, brandy, whatever else they made.

Anyway, late and uninteresting post. I’ve got the sniffles and I just moved so this apartment which I’m supposed to call a unit, has boxes of books all over the place. Books, man. I love them so, but they’re such a pain to lug around when you move. Each year they seem to grow, to multiply of their own accord, and each year they feel more heavy to lift. The way to do it is put them in small boxes but then there’s just more boxes. Right now there must be over twenty five just sitting there, looking at me, saying “put up the shelves so we have a nice place to sit.” In my new unit I do have a den which is so great. I have the old seven foot dining room table in here as my desk because it’s too big to fit in the rounded alcove where a round table is supposed to go. I feel like a real hotshot writing on this thing and I now see why people gravitate toward larger desks.

Moving is tough. It’s probably why I came down with my son’s case of the sniffles. Shit, I haven’t called out in a really long time but I don’t want to get anyone else sick. I’ve been sleeping less, absorbing more stress, and eating garbage these last three days. It’s no wonder. I did make a cool Sazerac video but I’m afraid to post it. I know this is the new thing, to post videos making drinks, but egads, I’m not comfortable seeing or hearing myself on camera.

Anyway, being under the weather is good for many reasons. The most important being that it makes you grateful for your health. We’ll see how it all ends tomorrow.