The first of the ‘Miscellaneous Drinks’ in Jerry Thomas’s How to Mix Drinks, which we introduced in early October, is the ‘Blue Blazer’. It’s an ambitious start to the section, seeing as it involves literally playing with fire!

The ‘do.’ in the recipe below, transcribed from a 1867 edition of Thomas's book, stands for ‘ditto’—thus, equal quantities of whisky and water are required (along with a spoonful of powdered sugar and a lemon peel garnish).

If you decide to use the preparation of this fiery drink as a way to diffuse and distract from family drama this Christmas, please proceed with caution...

Blue Blazer

(Use two large silver-plated mugs, with handles.)

1 wine-glass of Scotch whiskey. [sic]
1 do. boiling water.

Put the whiskey and the boiling water in one mug, ignite the liquid with fire, and while blazing mix both ingredients by pouring them four or five times from one mug into the other, as represented in the cut [as in the illustration used for this article]. If well done this will have the appearance of a continued stream of liquid fire.

Sweeten with one teaspoonful of pulverized white sugar, and serve in a small bar tumbler, with a piece of lemon peel.

The “blue blazer” does not have a very euphonius or classic name, but it tastes better than it sounds to the ear. A beholder gazing for the first time upon an experienced artist, compounding this beverage, would naturally come to the conclusion that it was a nectar for Pluto rather than Bacchus. The novice in mixing this beverage should be careful not to scald himself. To become proficient in throwing the liquid from one mug to the other, it will be necessary to practise for some time with cold water.