Blinker

The BLINKER is one of the few cocktails that uses grapefruit juice. It’s a medium-strength alternative to having a Boulevardier if you have no Campari. It’s simple to make, easy to remember, and a very nice way to use rye whiskey.

Requirements: Rye whiskey, grenadine or raspberry syrup, pink grapefruit juice, lemon peel for garnish

• 2 oz. rye whiskey
• 1 oz. pink grapefruit juice
• .5 oz. grenadine (or 1 tspn raspberry syrup)
• 2 dashes grapefruit bitters
• lemon peel

Add liquid components to an ice-filled shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a coupe cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.

Comments: Most published recipes of the Blinker cocktail indicate 2 parts rye to 1 part grenadine to 1 part grapefruit juice. I prefer slightly less grenadine (.75 oz.), hence less sweet. If you don’t have grenadine on hand, you can also use 1 teaspoon of raspberry syrup. If you happen to have grapefruit bitters, give it two dashes before the shake.

History: First published by Patrick Gavin Duffy’s 1934 Official Mixer’s Manual.