Best of Austin®

Best Bourbon Cocktail Named After a Patron

The Pulkingham

click to enlarge Best Bourbon Cocktail Named After a Patron
Photo by John Anderson

A regular at the bar at the beloved SoCo Italian restaurant Vespaio, renowned guitarist David Pulkingham, off the road from touring, would often order a Boulevardier. But as his tastes changed, the guitarist put on the mixologist's hat and requested modifications, subbing in Cappelletti, Knob Creek, Carpano Antica Formula, and why not a splash of lemon juice for good measure? The drink became so popular that Vespaio labeled the cocktail "The Pulkingham" and featured it on their bar menu – a fitting tribute to a devoted patron whose taste buds are as refined as his ears.