“A Pour Man’s Game?” Ugh. There are some puns at which even the likes of me must groan … fortunately, I can’t claim credit for this one — it’s the title of a nice article in weekly Variety (link long dead) about the resurgence of cocktails. It’s been done before, as we know, but I never complain about seeing another one; the resurgence must surge further!

The article mentions some familiar names — Dr. Cocktail (of course), Tony Abou-Ganim, and has a fair number of quotes from our friend Daniel Reichert, former proprietor of Vintage Cocktails, a catering company that once provided mostly classic and historic cocktails along with some new ones for various events. (I must confess I wouldn’t mind having such a gig.)

This article, like so many others I’ve read these days, tends to falter once it gets to the recipes. Their Sazerac is close, but is very, very wimpy when it comes to the Peychaud’s Bitters … one dash? C’mon folks, it’s not expensive stuff, and this drink is a showcase for the flavor of Peychaud’s. Use at least three, if not four. That drink they call a “Ramos Gin Fizz” … um, ain’t. It’s got several ingredients in common, but Henry Ramos’ bartenders weren’t infusing their Plymouth gin with Meyer lemon peel in 1888 … and the drink needs cream and lime juice in it, too. What is this, some kind of California “lite” version? Sheesh. It might be a fizz, but it ain’t a Ramos.

Fortunately, there’s a tasty-looking new creation by Daniel himself, and being fans of its namesake we love the name:

The Desperate Housewife
(created by Daniel Reichert)

1-1/2 ounces light rum.
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice.
3/4 ounce Cointreau.
1/2 ounce fresh pomegranate juice or POM Wonderful.
1/4 ounce maraschino liqueur.

Shake with plenty of ice, strain into a large cocktail glass.
Garnish with a lime wedge.

The article said, “[The Desperate Housewife Cocktail is a] recent invention of Reichert, who doesn’t like to make Cosmopolitans. ‘I find them dull,’ he says. ‘This has a little more spine to it, but it’s still easy to drink.'” This is a nice companion to the Footloose in the sub-sub-genre of Cosmopolitan alternatives. (Are people still really ordering Cosmopolitans?)