Remember What? — The Remember the Maine
While anchored in Havana harbor in 1898, the battleship USS Maine exploded and sank, killing a majority of the crew. Accelerating international tension, the incident precipitated the Spanish-American War. In his 1933 book The Gentleman’s Companion, Charles Baker, Jr. described having the Remember the Maine earlier that decade in Havana. No one seems to remember who created the cocktail.
The Remember the Maine
2 ounces rye
.75 ounces sweet vermouth
.25 ounces cherry Heering
Absinthe
Directions
Coat the inside of a chilled glass with absinthe, combine the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice, stir with a solemn rhythm, and strain into the glass. Amarena cherry garnish optional.
The Remember the Maine’s use of rye and sweet vermouth is reminiscent of a Manhattan, and its use of absinthe is reminiscent of a Sazerac. Chances are if you like these cocktails or the Rhythm and Soul, you’ll like the Remember the Maine. Baker’s recipe called for cherry brandy. Today most places use cherry Heering, a liqueur enhancing drinks such as the Blackjack and the Royal Blood. Despite the tragedy that gave the drink its name, the Remember the Maine adds to the list of cocktails originating in Cuba such as the Daiquiri, Mary Pickford, and El Presidente.
The Remember the Maine is a robust cocktail. I agree with Baker, who advised “treat this one with the respect it deserves.”