A little sweet, a little sour and very smooth, this is one unique cocktail that, by all accounts, shouldn’t really work. Historically, neither Scotch nor Irish whiskey were thought to be prime cocktail mixers, so putting them together in the one glass is perhaps unimaginable. But combine them with some lemon juice and orgeat syrup, and you have a delicious, well-balanced drink. The Irish whiskey provides lightness and sweetness, while the Scotch deepens the drink and gives it structure.
The first-known origin of Cameron’s Kick was in Harry MacElhone’s book Harry’s ABC of Making Cocktails, all the way back in 1922. The story of its namesake was not included, and Cameron remains a mystery, but perhaps he once sat on a bar stool somewhere and gave Harry a mischievous grin, daring him to make a drink that would unite the two neighbours.
The recipe then appeared again in Henry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book a few years later, but failed to maintain popularity through the 20th century. All but forgotten, things kicked into gear again in 2005 when cocktail historian David Wondrich featured the drink in his book, Killer Cocktails.
The uniqueness of Cameron’s Kick piqued bar goers' interest, delighted with how the two whiskeys managed to coexist in one cocktail. It spread across New York City and beyond, and though still not quite a household name, it was credited with helping elevate Irish whiskey in particular from something enjoyed neat to an essential ingredient for cocktail connoisseurs.
Whoever you are Cameron, we owe you one.
