The NSFW Origin Of The Prince Of Wales Cocktail
There are certain cocktails that basically everyone knows the names of, like the dirty martini or frozen margarita. But not all cocktails are made to endure; many fade slowly into obscurity or are forgotten entirely. A prime example is the Prince of Wales cocktail, for which the chief ingredients are rye whiskey, pineapple, cherry liqueur, and champagne. According to Punch, the drink was popular among the British upper class around the turn of the last century. Today, you're not likely to find it on a bar menu, and if you're interested in trying it, you will probably have to make it yourself.
The drink is indeed named for the Prince of Wales, the title traditionally given to Britain's crown prince. In this case, it refers explicitly to Prince Albert Edward, widely known as Bertie, who was the son of Queen Victoria. According to the BBC, he served as crown prince for over 59 years before ascending the throne as King Edward VII. At the time, this made him the longest-serving heir in British history until 2017, when the future King Charles III broke the record. Like Charles, Prince Bertie's life was the subject of much scrutiny and scandal, and his scurrilous activities tie directly to the cocktail that bears his name.
Bed, bath, and Bertie
If there's one word to describe Prince Albert Edward, it would be "indulgent." His reign as king lasted just nine years, from 1901 until his death in 1910, which Punch attributes to stomach and heart ailments caused by his insatiable appetite and love of alcohol. His playboy lifestyle and erotic indiscretions were the subject of multiple scandals.
At 19, he was caught sneaking actress Nellie Clifden into his tent on a school trip. He was later entangled with Jennie Churchill, the future mother of Winston Churchill, and Alice Keppel, great-grandmother to the current queen consort, Camilla Parker Bowles. Nicknamed "Dirty Bertie," the prince was also known to patronize brothels. It was there that Bertie developed a taste for champagne, and he reportedly loved it so much that he would often carry a whole jug of it around with him. One of his most scandalous episodes occurred at a Parisian brothel, where he requested that an entire bathtub be filled with the bubbly drink.
It's no wonder then the Prince of Wales cocktail centers on champagne, and Bertie is even credited with inventing the drink. The Private Life of King Edward, a biography written by an anonymous author claiming to be a member of the royal household describes the prince composing a cocktail of crushed ice, rye whiskey, Angostura bitters, Maraschino liqueur, champagne, powdered sugar, lemon peel, and a single square of pineapple — an indulgent drink for one of history's most indulgent men.