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Earthquake Cocktail, Swank #34

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Earthquake cocktail

The Earthquake is cocktail number 34 on the Swank Cocktail Guide.

Earthquake cocktail history

Numerous Earthquake Cocktails have appeared throughout the years.

The Tremblement de Terre cocktail, or Earthquake, a cocktail consisting of half absinthe and half cognac, is attributed to the French painter, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901).

The Hangover (Suzanne Valadon), by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1887-1889, oil on canvas - Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University
The Hangover (Suzanne Valadon), by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1887-1889, oil on canvas – Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University, public domain.

A newspaper article from 1870, states, “Mark Twain, in his book, refers to earthquake cocktails…” Searches of Twain’s writings were conducted; the referenced book has not been found at the time of this writing.

“New Invention,” newspaper article, The Idaho World (Idaho City, Idaho), 27 Jan 1870, p. 2, col. 1.

Many of the earthquake cocktails mentioned in articles appear to be in reference to bartenders using the earthquake as a method for shaking a libation.

“Earthquake Cocktails,” newspaper article, The Chicago Evening Post (Chicago, Illinois), 23 Apr 1872, p. 2, col. 3.

Additional Earthquake cocktail recipes continued through the years around the world. By 1960, the Swank version began appearing in newspaper advertisements.

“Earthquake Cocktail Recipe,” newspaper article, Miami Herald (Miami, Florida), 10 June 1938, p. 13, col. 7.
“Whisky and Earthquakes,” newspaper article, The Daily Telegraph (London, England), 7 Oct 1953, p. 6, col. 6.
“Earthquake Makin’s,” newspaper advertisement, Springfield Leader and Press (Springfield, Missouri), 11 Mar 1960, p. 7, col. 6.

Earthquake cocktail recipe

Earthquake cocktail recipe
Earthquake cocktail recipe

1/3 your choice Whiskey, 1/3 Gin, 1/3 Pernod. Shake well with ice and strain into glass.

Ingredients used:

  • Crown Royal Whiskey
  • Hendrick’s Gin
  • Pernod

Earthquake cocktail review

Our ratings (1-5 🍸)

Greg: 🍸
Kim: 🍸

If you like anise-flavored beverages, this is your cocktail, as the Pernod strongly flavors the drink. We don’t, so it was a sip and dump for us.

Next up… Cocktail # 35, French “75” cocktail

Swank Cocktail Guide: 80 cocktails in 80 days

Press and guest articles

1890 New Bedford Photo Album featured in South Coast Today | Standard-Times
MyHeritage Guest Article by Kimberli Faulkner Hull
MyHeritage Guest Article by Kimberli Faulkner Hull

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