The story behind the booze: the Headless Horseman (part 3)
By Dana Peck
The Headless Horseman is a classic legend, dating back to the American Revolution.
While the legend is mostly thought to be an American myth, it is also well known in Germany, Ireland, and India, which are all a little different than the American version. The American Headless Horseman is known to be a German soldier who was decapitated during the Battle of the White Plains in 1776. His head was left on the battlefield, although the soldier was not.
He was then buried in Sleepy Hallow, NY, without his head. The soldier now returns on Halloween night every year, where he attempts to avenge his death and reclaim his head. Somehow, thus far it does not seem he has been successful. Even after all these tries!
This legend has spread wide and far, taking on a similar, but less well-documented story in Germany. Although, the Horseman is much less aggressive there.
On the other hand, in Ireland, the Horseman is much more sinister than Germany, or even America. The Headless Horseman is known to be riding a black horse and carrying his head with him. He holds it high in the air when riding to see further.
When the Horseman stops, he calls out a name, and this person is known to die immediately. A little meaner than just avenging his own death, I'd say. In India, the story is very different. The Horseman is known as a heroic spirit. There are a couple of stories, but it is said that he died a wrongful death, and now protects innocent spirits. This version is much less tied to his horse, and battles evil spirits both on and off of it.
Get spooky this Halloween with the Headless Horseman cocktail
So, while the world has put it's own twist on the Headless Horseman everywhere, one thing remains the same. He's a ghost. Nothing screams Halloween like a ghost story (besides maybe the children who are scared by them), so the Headless Horseman seems like the perfect name for a spooky cocktail.
When thinking about a spooky cocktail, the ingredients of the Headless Horseman aren't usually what comes to mind. This drink is made with vodka, lime, ginger ale, bitters, and orange. Almost like a twist on the mocktail mule, the only thing that gives this drink a spooky twist seems to be the bitters that float on the top.
That does give this drink a little twist. The ginger ale makes the drink almost feel like fall, but I wouldn't say this is the drink with the spookiest history I can think of.
While the history of how this drink came about is widely unknown, it does appear in the 1969 Old Mr. Boston DeLuxe Official Bartender's Guide. If I had to give it my best guess I'd say a bartender made this drink for a man on Halloween who could be no other than the Headless Horseman, coining the drink after him.
That is pure speculation about a bartender's humor, though.
While some drinks, like the Corpse Reviver, may have a more in-depth history, I'm not sure there's a spookier name than the drink named after the famous legend. So, mix up one of these tasty fall drinks for your Halloween parties this week, and remember to watch out for the Headless Horseman on Halloween, especially in NY!
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