The Remsen Cooler is a mysterious drink, but not because of any secret recipe or ritualistic use. No, it's because, besides its recipe, no one seems to have any real idea of why it’s called the Remsen Cooler.
What is known:
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 ounces Scotch
- 2 ounces club soda
- 1/2 teaspoon superfine sugar
- 1 lemon peel*
- 3 or 4 ice cubes
Method: Pour all into a standard highball glass and enjoy the least offensive-tasting drink short of a Zima or wine cooler. * The amount of lemon peel is variable, with some recipes recommending a simple lemon twist, and others mandating the peel of a full lemon, in which case, you can line the glass with the peel for presentation. Also optional is an orange peel along with the lemon, though that might be too fruity.
This drink doesn't taste fruity, since you're using the peel and not the actual pulp of the fruit, and in fact doesn't taste like much of anything. The flavors that are present are all diluted. It's sort of sweet, and has a vaguely bitter taste, a result of the club soda and peels working in concert, with only a hint of the scotch's smokiness. One recipe suggests substituting bourbon for the scotch, which makes sense, as it will produce a more flavorful drink. As it stands, the Remsen Cooler can be summed up as a cool, refreshing, and all around neutral concoction.
Mysterious origins
If the drink had no name and was a simple "vodka tonic" or "whiskey and soda," this review/recipe would end right here. However, since it is called a "Remsen Cooler," the name must be addressed. Having found virtually no history of this drink -- where it came from, who or what this 'Remsen' is or was, etc., here is an attempt to fill in the gaps. So... what is known? In some cases ginger ale is used instead of the club soda, which would provide a slightly more pleasant and sweeter taste. Also, simple syrup can be used instead of sugar. Lastly, oftentimes gin is used instead of scotch. Knowing these three things leads one to the following conclusions: Only a fool would prefer club soda to ginger ale. Simple syrup is often substituted for sugar, since it dissolves easier. And the Remsen Cooler was designed to get you drunk and keep you cool and refreshed.
Personal conjecture
On that last point: It's quite obvious. There is probably no other drink where it is seen as acceptable to substitute gin for scotch. Whiskey for scotch? Sure. Rye for scotch? All the time. Bourbon for scotch? Why not? But gin for scotch? I don't think so. So logically it would seem that the alcohol here was really an afterthought to a refreshing mix of soda, sugar, and lemon peel. Looking to get drunk on a hot summer afternoon? There are few drinks that are kinder to the gullet and don't have little umbrellas in them. If you will, one writer’s guessing of the Remsen Cooler Genesis Conversation:
"Let's see... we sure like club soda and syrup, with a little taste of lemon. But the guys are coming over to watch the game. How can we make this an acceptable, manly drink that will get us wasted, yet refresh us at the same time?"
"Throw in a slug of scotch."
"Great idea!"
"Thanks."
"Wait, we only have half a handle of scotch left over from the party last week."
"Then throw in a slug of gin!"
"Great idea!"
Got a better guess as to the name? Suggestions welcome and appreciated. (Especially from any Messr. Remsens.)
