Another bride, another groom
Another sunny honeymoon
Another season, another reason
For makin’ whoopee.
— Gus Kahn, 1928
“Whoopee” is of course a euphemism for. . . jazzing. Horizontal refreshment. A bit of tickle. Yes, Virginia, we are talking about. . . barneymugging.
60 years before Michelle Pfeiffer purred this song to Jeff Bridges while slithering her way across his grand piano in The Fabulous Baker Boys, Eddie Cantor was Makin’ Whoopee in the hit Broadway show of the same name.
(The original lyrics were a bit more misogynistic, and the song ended with the observation that it makes more fiscal sense for a wandering husband to keep his bride rather than pay alimony once she discovers he is makin’ whoopee with someone else).
But what happens when gin and whisky hook up? Is it really killing? Are they so willing to make . . . you know?
Ingredients:
In a mixing glass, muddle lemon and sugar. Add ice, gin, whisky, and grenadine. Shake. Strain into a fizz glass. Fill with charged water.
Notes:
A match made in fizzy cocktail heaven. The gin and whisky (per usual, I used bourbon) are partners in every way. Moving in concert, neither one overpowers the other. The lemon and sugar melt together, teasing your taste buds. The grenadine offers a sly kiss of tart sweetness. And the giddy effervescence of the seltzer provides a satisfying tingly finish.
But don’t forget folks
That’s what you get folks
For makin’ whoopee.