The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-07-23
An Unreasonable Dispute.

The deplorable controversy which has
arisen, during midsummer otherwise pro-
pitious for the sale OF all cooling beverages,
as to the date and place Of origin Of the Gin
hickey, is a decided menace to the popu-
larity Of all American mixed drinks. 1t Is
unnecessary to explain that the Hickey is a
combination Of Holland gin, lines. cracked
ice and seltzer. One disputant alleges that
1t had Its origin at the st. James Hotel. and,
like the invention Of the sewing machine,
was an accident or something very much
like an accident. Another disputant, pro-
Tossing desire to set at rest controversy
which, he says, has Of late been going the
rounds Of the New York papers, alleges,
with many such details as give verisimili-
tude, that tho first Hickey was made at
SHoEMAKER's in Washington not less than
sixteen years ago. and that the notable
occasion is still recalled as II 1t were but
yesterday by those fortunate enough to be
present at the time.
1t Is matter Of comparatively little i'm
portance where or when tho Hickey origi-
mated, whether in the metropolis OF the
United States or in the national capital.
The statesmanlike fame Of Colonel RICKEY,
which, to 30 great an extent depends upon
his share in this decoction, would be pre-
cisely as secure If it had originated in JEFF
ferson City, Joplin or Sedalia, as in Wash
ington or New York
1t is, however, fact that the Gin Hickey,
when subjected to the crucial analysis OF
experts, is found to be merely democratic
variation OF a formerly popular mixed
drink, the Gin Daisy. from the libation OF
which has proceeded the expression Jim
Dandy" as is credibly averred. The Gin
Daisy had for its structural basis three
dashes Of orgcat and three of maraschino,
to which were added the juice Of half a
small lemon, wine glass OF Holland gin,
the trimmings" as they are called, the
innocuous addition, being third OF a glass
of shaved ice and eeltzer or apolinaris.
The hickey differs from the Daisy In not
being btter-sweet, owing to the circunl-
stance that 1t possesses no combination of
orgeat and lemon. 1t is bitter only its
foundation being Of lines, from the health
full and wholesome qualities Of which the
Hickey OF the Missouri Colonel derives
much OF its enduring popularity.
But how long is this popularity to con-
tlnue II ill-advised persons persist in
tIllS uIlS"dEu dispute az 10
its origin, in midsummer Do they not per-
ceive that 1t Is practically an assault on all
American mixed drinks the Virginia Mint
Julep, the Gin Sour. the Whisky Smash,
the Sherry Cobbler, tho Tom Collins, the
Gin and Tansy, tho Brandy Smash, the
Stone Fence the Sherry Flip AMI even the
Port Wine SanSaree ? Already mischief
makers are insisting, under cover Of this ur-
fortunate controversy as to details of time
and place, that veritable Rickcys can DO
made without gin while other ignorant or
malicious individuals arc processing to be-
ieve that lemons may be substituted for
lines without injury to the Hickey. Let
all such heed this admonition: American
mixed drinks are now recovering from n
partial eclipse in popu larity, and their res
toration to former favor will certainly be
retarded, If the attention OF enthusiasts is
to be directed to mere questions OF chro-
noiogy and locality.