Suffering BastardCocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Suffering Bastard is a bracing, highball-leaning refresher that sits somewhere between a Mule and a Collins, built for maximum lift with minimal fuss. You’ll often see it discussed as a mid-century, bar-born “pick-me-up” style drink, where sharp citrus and ginger fizz do the heavy lifting while the base spirits add backbone. While its exact origin story can get a little hazy, what’s consistent is the intent: a bold, restorative mix that tastes like it means business.
On the palate, gin brings a crisp, dry edge that plays neatly against bourbon’s warmer, rounder depth. Lime juice cuts straight through both, keeping the drink taut and bright, while ginger ale stretches everything out with sweet, spicy sparkle. A dash of aromatic bitters ties the flavours together, adding a subtle, fragrant snap that keeps the finish from feeling too soft.
You’ll find this suits moments when you want something tall, lively, and unapologetically punchy without drifting into sugary territory. It’s a great choice for fans of ginger-forward drinks who also like their cocktails spirit-led, and it fits just as well at a casual get-together as it does as a reset after a long day.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Tags
Lowball / rocks glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
Gin and bourbon share the lead with bright lime juice up front, while ginger ale brings fizzy spice and a gentle sweetness, and a dash of aromatic bitters adds a dry, herbal snap on the finish. It works because the lime’s acidity and ginger’s heat keep the two spirits from feeling heavy; ideal for drinkers who like brisk, spirit-forward refreshers.
Method
How to make a Suffering Bastard
- Gin 30ml, Bourbon 30ml, Lime juice 30ml, Ginger ale 120ml, Aromatic bitters Dash
-
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well
-
- Pour into a lowball glass filled with ice and garnish with a mint sprig, orange wheel and a maraschino cherry before serving
Power tips
Elevate the Suffering Bastard with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the origin of the Suffering Bastard cocktail?
The Suffering Bastard was originally created in the 1940s by Joe Scialom, a bartender at the Long Bar of the Shepheard's Hotel in Cairo, Egypt. It was conceived as a hangover cure for British soldiers during World War II. The drink gained popularity for its effectiveness and unique flavor profile.
What is the best method to combine the ingredients for a Suffering Bastard?
To properly prepare a Suffering Bastard, combine the lime juice, gin, bourbon, and a dash of Angostura bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake well until the mixture is chilled. Strain the mixture into a lowball glass filled with ice, then top with ginger ale and gently stir to combine. This method ensures a well-mixed and chilled cocktail.
What is the ideal way to serve a Suffering Bastard?
The ideal way to serve a Suffering Bastard is in a lowball glass over ice. This presentation not only complements the cocktail's bold flavors but also maintains its cold temperature, enhancing the drinking experience.
Can I substitute the ginger ale in a Suffering Bastard with something else?
Yes, if you prefer not to use ginger ale or simply want to try a variation, ginger beer is a great alternative. It offers a spicier kick compared to the milder ginger ale, adding another layer of complexity to the cocktail.
How can I add a personal twist to the Suffering Bastard?
To personalize a Suffering Bastard, consider adding fresh mint for a refreshing aroma, or a splash of orange liqueur for a hint of citrus sweetness. Alternatively, experiment with the proportions of gin and bourbon to suit your taste preferences, or garnish with a cucumber slice for a crisp finish.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Experience this classic mix of vodka and gin
Vesper
Vodka, Gin, Lillet Blanc
Indulge in this well-balanced martini with olives.
The Perfect Martini
Gin, Red vermouth, Olive juice
Enjoy this bold balance of gin and Campari
Negroni
Gin, Campari, Red vermouth
Dive into this rosemary-infused gin delight.
Tuscan Blue Fizz
Gin, Soda water, Rosemary syrup
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments