"A Whisky-and-Potash?" He Cried, with Horror

You may know that I have an obsession for discovering a recipe for a drink called a "whisky and potash." It is Alexander J. Gibson's favorite refreshment, at least between rounds of golf (in the book, he also drinks champagne). Although I still haven't figured out exactly what a whisky and potash is, I've uncovered a couple more literary references. Here's one from the fantasy novel Farewell, Nikola! by Guy Boothby, published in 1901:

"I don't deserve it, Dick," he continued in humiliating self-abasement. "She is too good for me, much too good."

"I remember that I said the same thing myself," I replied. "Come to me in five years' time and let me hear what you have to say then."

"Confound you," he answered; "why do you talk like that?"

"Because it's the way of the world, my lad," I answered. "But there, you'll learn all for yourself soon enough. Now let me order a whisky-and-potash for you, and then off you go to bed."

"A whisky-and-potash?" he cried, with horror depicted on his face. "Do you think I'm going to drink whisky on the night that she has accepted me? You must be mad."

"Well, have your own way," I answered. "For my own part, I have no such scruples. I have been married too long."

I rang the bell, and, when my refreshment was brought to me, drank it slowly, as became a philosopher.

[Tags: drinks literature books recipes]