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Three Miller

Classic/vintage · Nightcap/sipping · Spirit-forward

3.8 42 ratings

Ingredients

1 1/3 oz Cognac (brandy)
2/3 oz Light white rum
1/3 oz Lemon juice
1/4 oz Grenadine syrup
1/3 oz Chilled water

How to make

Serve in a coupe glass

Prepare

  1. 1 Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. 2 Prepare garnish of lemon zest twist.

Method

  1. 3 SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. 4 FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. 5 EXPRESS lemon zest twist over the cocktail and use as garnish.

Flavour profile

20.2% alc./vol. · 1.4 standard drinks · 156 calories

History

A seriously strong drink, in flavour and alcohol.

The Three Miller is one of a group of Prohibition-era cocktails named for the distance of territorial waters from shore. In the 18th century, this distance was established as three nautical miles (5.6 km), the range of a cannonball fired from shore to deter incursions. Thus, during Prohibition, US jurisdiction extended only three miles offshore, permitting the legal supply of alcohol to boats positioned just beyond territorial waters. As offshore parties proliferated, the US negotiated agreements with nations like the UK and France to recognize its right to enforce Prohibition and anti-smuggling laws up to a 12-mile limit. Unsurprisingly, the parties relocated further offshore. On December 29th, 1988, President Reagan extended the territorial waters of the United States from 3 miles to 12 miles. The fame of the three-mile and subsequently the 12-mile limits of federal reach during Prohibition inspired the Three Miller/Three Mile Limit, the Twelve Miles Out, and the Twelve Mile Limit cocktails. This drink is found in Harry MacElhone's 1922 Harry's ABC of Mixing Cocktails and his 1927 Barflies & Cocktails as the "Three Mile Limit Cocktail," and later in Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book as the "Three Miller Cocktail." The "Three Mile Limit Cocktail" recipe is: 1 Teaspoon of Grenadine, 1 dash of Lemon Juice, 2/3 Brandy, 1/3 Bacardi Rum. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass. A note indicates: "This cocktail was invented at Harry's New York Bar, Paris by 'Chips,' Brighton, the popular Bartender. One of the effects of the Volstead Act, people get busy when outside of the three miles." The "THREE MILLER COCKTAIL" recipe is: 1 Teaspoon Grenadine, 1 Dash Lemon Juice, 2/3 Brandy, 1/3 Bacardi Rum. Shake well and strain into cocktail glass.

Also known as Three Mile Limit · Created by 'Chips” Brighton