Rattlesnake recipe
A formidable pre-Prohibition sour pairing robust rye whiskey with a sharp anise wash and silky foam.
Method: Shake and strain ·
Glass: Rocks glass ·
Time: 5 min ·
Difficulty: Advanced ·
Family: The Daiquiri Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Rye Whiskey (bottled-in-bond preferred)
- 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
- 0.75 oz Simple Syrup (1:1 ratio)
- 1 Egg White (from a fresh large egg)
- 1 tsp Absinthe (used to rinse the glass)
How to make a Rattlesnake
- Chill a coupe glass and coat the interior with a small dash of absinthe, discarding any excess.
- Combine the rye whiskey, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a shaker tin.
- Perform a dry shake vigorously for 15 seconds without ice to emulsify the egg white.
- Add ice to the shaker tin and shake hard for another 12 to 15 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Double strain the mixture into the prepared coupe glass to achieve a smooth, micro-foamed head.
- Garnish with a few drops of aromatic bitters on the foam and serve immediately.
Garnish
a few drops of aromatic bitters on the foam and serve immediately
Pro tip
Measure carefully, keep the dilution controlled, and serve Rattlesnake as soon as it is cold and balanced.
History of the Rattlesnake
First appearing in print in Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book, the Rattlesnake's exact pre-Prohibition origins remain debated, though it shares lineage with classic American whiskey sours and absinthe-rinsed traditions. Craddock famously quipped that the drink 'will either cure rattlesnake bite, or kill rattlesnakes, or make you see them,' cementing its fierce reputation.
Flavour profile
Boozy, Citrus, Sweet, Herbal
Variations
- Scotch Rattlesnake — Substitute blended Scotch whisky for the rye to add subtle peat and malt complexity.
- Maple Rattlesnake — Swap simple syrup for grade-A dark maple syrup to introduce rich, autumnal caramel notes.
- Ginger Venom — Use ginger syrup in place of simple syrup and add a dash of orange bitters for a spicy kick.
Practise making the Rattlesnake in the free Virtual Bar game.