ROUSES_SeptOct2019_Magazine

Grand Slammer by SARAH BAIRD At first blush, “Alabama Slammer” might sound more like a Southern-bred pro wrestler who’s waiting to hit the big time than a beloved, boozy party drink. But one sip of this jolting, neon-hued blend of Southern Comfort, sloe gin, amaretto and orange juice, and you’ll understand why tailgaters and college students alike have been tipping their cups up with the high-octane cocktail for decades. A s with so many deeply ingrained pieces of regional lore, the origin story of the Alabama Slammer is a little murky. Harry’s Bar in Tuscaloosa, Alabama — home of “Roll Tide!” and the “Million Dollar” marching band — claims to be the originator of this shot-ready, easily-batched drink, but the history books suggest otherwise. A recipe for the Alabama Slammer appeared in the 1971 edition of Playboy Bartender’s Guide a year before Harry’s opened, where it is described as a combination of Southern Comfort, amaretto, sloe gin and lemon juice. Orange juice replaced the lemon juice in its next written record — when a recipe for it was included in the 1984 Mr. Boston Official Bartender’s Guide — and soon was the go-to citrus for brightening up a sweet- leaning drink. Its date with destiny, though, arrived through a young, fresh- faced actor named Tom Cruise in the 1988 film Cocktai l. Cruise waxed poetic about the drink in the movie’s now-infamous “last barman poet” speech, setting the Alabama Slammer up for plenty of national attention: I am the world’s last barman poet, I see America drinking the fabulous cocktails I make, Americans getting stinky on something I stir or shake: The Sex on the Beach The Schnapps made from peach, The Velvet Hammer, The Alabama Slammer… Following the Cruise-infused push towards national notoriety, the drink found so much mainstream acceptance that it was a wildly popular “pitcher cocktail” at TGI Friday’s for years. And today, it continues to be an Alabama party drink tradition — whether it’s gameday or not.

Alabama Slammer (Makes 1 cocktail) WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 1 ounce Southern Comfort 1 ounce amaretto 1 ounce sloe gin 2 ounces orange juice Cherry, for garnish Orange slice, for garnish

HOW TO PREP: Add all ingredients (except garnish) to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled and well-mixed. Strain into a highball glass over ice. Slide cherry and orange slice onto a toothpick or cocktail pick. Place garnish in drink.

THE HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE PRODUCE GROWN ON THE GULF COAST, JUST LIKE US.

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