Today (2.07) is International Clash Day. We’re not sure entirely what that entails: some amalgamation of the 40th anniversary of the iconic London Calling album, record stores, and fighting the Machine. Here at Neat Pour, we love both the Clash and fighting the Machine. So, we seized on the excuse to assemble a list of our favorite Clash inspired drinks.
Death or Glory
This cocktail will certainly not become ‘just another story.’ ‘Death or Glory’ is a refreshing, mezcal based Negroni riff created by Abigail Gullo as an homage to the Clash. She told NP, “I am a huge fan and when I heard that song playing at Sylvain [another bar] I knew I wanted to beat them into making it as a cocktail.”
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- 1 oz. Aperol
- 1 oz. Mezcal
- 1 oz. Sweet Vermouth
- 4-6 drops Bittermens Orange Cream Citrate bitters
- 1 peel Grapefruit
Ingredients
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- Combine the Aperol, mezcal, and vermouth in a mixing glass with ice.
- Add 4-6 drops of bitters. Stir until well-chilled.
- Strain into an Old Fashioned glass and add one large ice cube.
- Garnish with grapefruit peel.
Guns of Brixton
When they kick at your bar’s front door, how you gonna come? Christoph Dorneman, Head Bartender of The French 75 Bar at Arnaud’s answered Paul Simonon’s query with a champagne cocktail.
Eschewing his preferred cognac for gin to honor the Union Jack, Dorneman’s creation is a very English focused take on his bar’s signature drink. “The herbal notes from the Pimm’s blend well with the champagne and citrus to form a refreshing alternative to a Pimm’s Cup or a French 75,” explained the creator. “This drink also packs more punch than a Pimm’s Cup; so I’d imagine Mick and Joe would be pretty happy with it.”
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- 1 oz. London Dry Gin
- .75 oz. Pimm's
- .25 oz. Lemon Juice
- .5 oz. Simple Syrup
- Champagne
- 1 slice Cucumber
Ingredients
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- Combine the gin, Pimm's, lemon juice, and simple in a shaker with ice. Shake until chilled.
- Strain into a champagne flute.
- Top with sparkling wine.
- Garnish with a cucumber.
Tommy Gun
In fairness, this signature libation of Jacques Bezuindenhout at San Francisco’s Forgery is a tribute to the Prohibition firearm not the Strummer-Jones collab. The drink brings lots of spice thanks to the muddled ginger and a healthy dose of whiskey.
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- 2 slices Ginger (fresh)
- 1 tsp. Apricot Jam
- .25 oz. Lemon Juice
- 2 oz. Irish Whiskey
- .5 oz. Grand Marnier
- 1 Lemon Twist
Ingredients
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- In a shaker, muddle the ginger with the jam and lemon juice.
- Add whiskey, Grand Marnier, and ice. Shake until chilled.
- Strain into a Highball glass filled with ice cubes.
- Garnish with the lemon twist.
Spanish Bombs
To honor Strummer’s paean to the Spanish Civil War (and tourism), a boilermaker is clearly in order. We opted for shots of Spanish sherry (Pedro Ximinez) dropped into a proper English porter (Fuller’s English Porter).
The Four Horsemen
We felt it was necessary to include this frat house favorite, a shot mixed from equal parts Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, Johnnie Walker, and Jameson. Admittedly, it’s not really our style, but it’s probably the only thing on our list that the band members actually drank.
Honorable Mentions
The Clash’s catalog is full of great drink names. Worthy of future exploration are gems such as ‘Police & Thieves,’ ‘Koka Kola,’ and ‘Lost In The Supermarket.’
