Nightcap Noire: The Cocktail That Outlived Boston Politics - Ward 8

Hello Seekers!

This week, in our podcast mini-series, Nightcap Noire - The Dark History Behind Your Favorite Cocktails, we are taking a gander at the infamous Ward 8. A drink that somehow managed to survive longer than the political system that created it.

Old-guard Bostonians liked to hole themselves up in Locke-Ober; a formal, male-only dine and drinks establishment that has a reputation for haughty exclusivity. The fact that a drink created and named after Martin Lomasney's blue-collar ward made it onto the Locke-Ober menu caused some folks suspect that something suss was happening down at the ballot boxes.

Lomasney's Ward 8 district operated on favors: If he helped you, you voted for him.

Thus, an amazing cocktail that has stood the test of time and proven it has a right to be served at any bar it wants was born.