The Porter Cup is a vintage cocktail that was created by Jerry Thomas and was first published in his 1862 book The Bartender’s Guide: How to Mix Drinks. The recipe combines a unique mixture of French brandy, ginger, cucumber, and lemon with rich porter beer and tops it all with a sprinkling of freshly grated nutmeg.
Add cucumber slice and ginger syrup to a shaker.
Using a muddler, gently muddle cucumber slice in ginger syrup for 5-7 seconds.
Add brandy to shaker.
Fill shaker with cubed ice.
Shake for 10-20 seconds.
Add fresh cracked ice to a lowball glass.
Using a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer, strain into lowball glass.
Top with beer.
Express lemon twist over top of glass.
Garnish with lemon twist and grated nutmeg.