Book Review: Zachary Taylor: Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest

This weeks #bookoftheweek is Zachary Taylor: Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest by K. Jack Bauer, about our 12th president and the second to die in office, Zachary Taylor.

The complimentary cocktail is Old Rough and Ready, which was President Taylor's nickname when he was a soldier and General with the US Army.

The cocktail itself was supposedly from South House, Jersey City, NJ; however, it does not appear to be on their current menu. I found it online here:

https://www.redbookmag.com/food-recipes/recipes/g1842/best-cocktails-in-america/

The recipe is
Torched Thyme
2 oz Kentucky Bourbon
3/4 oz fresh squeezed lemon
3/4 oz honey syrup (one part honey to one part hot water. I put both in a small mason jar, put the lid on, and shook until the honey and water were fully blended and liquid)
Dash of Orange Bitters
Lemon Garnish

My smoking escapade did not go so well, owing to the thyme was still too green, but you light the plant on fire on a fireproof dish (recommend having a fire extinguisher handy for this one), then once the plant is smoking, place your cup upside down over it so the glass fills with the smoke. The thyme should be SMOKING, not on active fire. Think how incense burns for an idea of what you should be seeing. While the glass is smoking, put the rest of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake it up. Put fresh ice in your smoked glass, pour the mixed cocktail, garnish with lemon.

#booktube #bookreview #cocktail #booze #ushistory #uspresidents #booksandbooze #zacharytaylor #oldroughandready