Cameron’s Kick Cocktail Recipe

The perfect summer cocktail for any Irish whiskey or Scotch lover, Cameron’s Kick is one of the original cocktails of the roaring twenties. While the origin of Cameron himself is unknown, this cocktail was created by Harry MacElhone and published in his 1922 book, Harry’s ABC of Making Cocktails.

Cameron’s Kick Cocktail History

A staple of the modern cocktail library, Cameron’s Kick helped bring Irish whiskey from a shot to essential cocktail for any bartender’s repertoire.

Pioneered in London at the Savoy Hotel, one rumor of the cocktail’s origin comes from a connection between the well know Scots clan the Camerons whose chief Donald Dubh, XI Captain and Chief of Clan Cameron were exiled to Ireland after the battle of Inverlochy in 1431. However, the cocktail did not appear for another 500 years.

Both Irish whiskey and Scotch whisky are infamously difficult to balance and use in cocktails. This incredible combination of ingredients creates an exceptionally vibrant cocktail with the perfect amount of tartness.

I tried this cocktail with a few different ratios, and without different ingredients, and each one is absolutely needed to elevate each ingredient to the perfect balance. Slightly tart, the orgeat’s flavor becomes a hidden yet essential ingredient in bringing the two whiskeys together.

Tip for success: Make sure the orgeat you use uses real ingredients and not corn syrup or fake flavors. These are my two favorites, available online or at your local liquor store:

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Get the original book this cocktail recipe was published in:

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Cocktail Equipment Used to Make This:

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