Scarface and the Sidecar: The Untold Story of Al Capon’e Reigh and Refined Tastes
Alright, youse wanna know about Al Capone, eh? Lemme spill the beans for ya. Alphonse Gabriel Capone, known to his pals as “Scarface,” was born on January 17, 1899, in Brooklyn, New York. He was a smart kid, but school wasn’t his game. Got into a few scrapes and got himself expelled. That’s when he hooked up with Johnny Torrio, the big cheese in the underworld, who showed him the ropes.
By the time the 1920s rolled around, Prohibition was in full swing, and Capone saw his shot. He headed to Chicago, where Torrio ran the show. Torrio took a bullet in 1925 and handed the reins to Al. That’s when Capone really got cookin’. He turned Chicago into his own empire, making millions off bootleg booze, gambling, and dames. The cops and the feds tried to nail him, but he always slipped through their fingers.
Capone wasn’t just muscle and mayhem, though. The guy had a taste for the finer things. One thing he fancied was a good cocktail. Ever hear of The Sidecar? Classy drink, that one. It’s got brandy, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice. They say it was invented in Paris during WWI, but it got popular Stateside in the Roaring Twenties, Capone’s prime time. Maybe it was the citrus kick that reminded him of sunny times while he was dealing with the cold business of the streets.
Anyway, back to the man himself. Capone ruled with an iron fist, but he was a charmer, too. He opened soup kitchens during the Great Depression and threw the grandest parties. But ya can’t dodge the law forever. In 1931, the Feds got him for tax evasion. That was the only way they could pin something on him. They shipped him off to Alcatraz, the rock, in 1934. His health took a nosedive there, and by the time he got out in 1939, he was a shadow of his former self.
Al Capone spent his final years in Florida, sufferin’ from the aftereffects of syphilis. He passed away on January 25, 1947. But make no mistake, his legend lives on. To this day, he’s remembered as the king of the Chicago underworld, the guy who lived large, loved his booze, and always had a sharp eye for business. And next time you sip a Sidecar, remember ol’ Al. Ain’t nobody did it like Capone.
Cosmopolitan
INGREDIENTS:
2 oz. Remy Martin 1738 Accord Royal
3/4 oz. Cointreau
3/4 oz. Lemon Juice
HOW TO MAKE:
In a Highball glass add ice.
In a shaker, add the three ingredients. Shake.
Strain into a coupette glass.
Add a fresh lemon peel; if you wanna Enjoy!
GLASS: Coupette Glass
GARNISH: Twist it up with a lime twist
