Smith and Wesson Cocktail

Here is a throwback to a classic 1950s cocktail. If you've ever had a White Russian, then you might be familiar with the taste of a Smith and Wesson Cocktail, perhaps the Smith and Kerns Cocktail is what you are more familiar with. But if you like the effervescence of a New York Style Egg Cream then you are in for a real treat with this drink.

Now, I'm not a big fan of heavy-hitting drinks. I drink purely for taste at least 95% of the time. Yes, I have bad days and yes, there are days I'm planning what I'm drinking with dinner and it's only 9:30 A.M. Has that ever happened to anyone else? Just wondering.

However, this is a mild end-of-the-day type of drink. But this drink combines the best of two worlds of drinks: the White Russian with a NY-style Egg Cream (which has no eggs in it by the way). It's frothy as if it had eggs, but is creamy with a hint of effervescence.

Origins of this Cocktail

Like just about any other cocktail, some cocktails are just derivatives of other cocktails. So this cocktail actually originates from the a Smith and Kearns cocktail. What's a Smith and Kearns?

A Smith and Kearns was named for two local patrons at Blue Blazer‘s. The bartender, Gerbert Doebber, in 1952 made this drink popular as the original cocktail included cream, Kahlua, and soda water. Now, how the Smith and Kearns became a Smith and Wesson is lost to history. So here is my thoughts on how this might have happened.

My hypothesis on this? Someone probably walked into the bar and asked for a "shot" to be put in a Smith and Kearns, leading to an easy name change: Smith and Wesson, since the name Smith is already there and you are making one substitution. Again, that's how I'm putting this story together. If anyone has a better cocktail history to this, just let me know.

Tips for Making This

Here are my best tips for making this drink:

• Always use good quality ice.
• This drink does not require any special equipment, just a spoon
• You can play around with the ratio of Kahlua and creme de cacao.
• If you don't care for the taste of creme de cacao use Kahlua in its place.

Variations of this Cocktail

• If you omit the vodka you have a Smith and Kearns
• If you want a richer tasting drink use heavy cream
• If you want a something not too rich use half and half
• If you want a lighter tasting drink use regular milk
• If you aren't a chocolate fan, then double the amount of Kahlua.
• Don't use fat-free milk as it will break.

Watch Me Make This (37 Seconds)

How to Make a Smith and Wesson Cocktail

Step 1: In a tall glass with ice add vodka, creme de cacao, kahlua, and cream to a glass.

Step 2: Stir to combine

Step 3: Top off with seltzer

Step 4: Sip and Enjoy or......

Step 5: Optional: Top with Chocolate Syrup and enjoy right away or with a straw.

Other Dessert Cocktails You Might Enjoy

B 52 Cocktail

Chocolate Martini

Nuts and Berries

Pink Squirrel

I hope you enjoy this Smith and Wesson Cocktail recipe!

If you try this, would you mind hitting the “Rate” button? I’d love to know what you thought of it. If you modified the original recipe here, please let me know how it turned out. I love comments!

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