Suffering Bastard
Gin, brandy, lime and ginger ale built as a bracing hangover remedy in WWII Cairo that later migrated into tiki lore.
12%
ABV
180
Calories
Collins
Glass
Flavor Profile
Flavor Journey
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Shake gin, brandy, lime juice, and bitters with ice
Strain into an ice-filled collins glass
Top with ginger ale and gently stir
Garnish with a mint sprig and orange slice
Glassware
Served over ice in a Collins glass
Garnish
Spank to release aroma
Fresh orange slice
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use plenty of ice to keep the drink refreshing
Top with quality ginger ale for best flavor
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Suffering Bastard.
Bourbon Bastard
A bourbon-centric interpretation of the classic Suffering Bastard, a legendary hangover cure born in World War II Cairo. This potent and restorative cocktail balances bourbon, gin, lime, bitters, and ginger beer in a complex interplay of spirits and refreshing elements.
Dying Bastard
Amped Suffering Bastard—gin and brandy with added bourbon, lime, bitters, and ginger beer.
Dead Bastard
The boozy apex—Suffering Bastard with added bourbon and rum, lime, bitters, and ginger beer.
Trader Vic's Suffering Bastard
A rum-centric tiki cocktail that's more robust and complex than the original gin and brandy Cairo creation. Essentially a more potent variation of the Mai Tai, featuring a blend of aged rums with citrus, orgeat, and curaçao.
History & Heritage
“Bartender Joe Scialom mixed the Suffering Bastard at Cairo's Shepheard's Hotel in 1942 to revive Allied officers fighting a desert hangover. The gin-and-brandy highball caught on with troops, earned mentions in *Esquire*, and was later absorbed into tiki culture where Trader Vic's popularized its own rum-heavy interpretation.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Dying Bastard
Amped Suffering Bastard—gin and brandy with added bourbon, lime, bitters, and ginger beer.
Chilcano
Peruvian highball—pisco, lime, and ginger ale over ice with a dash of bitters for a bright, snappy refresher.
Dead Bastard
The boozy apex—Suffering Bastard with added bourbon and rum, lime, bitters, and ginger beer.