Jack Lait and Lee Mortimer’s “Chicago: Confidential!,” 1950 “Chicagoans are heavy drinkers and like their liquor authoritative. Only since the war, when it got hard to get, have any wanted Scotch. In the old days Scotch was only for Englishmen and fairies. When a Chicagoan asked for whiskey he got rye or bourbon. Bourbon is still popular with the old-timers and those who don’t feel the need to pose. Chicagoans are faddists. They go in for new fashion, customs, recipes and concoctions with enthusiasm. A favorite at this writing, which is almost obligatory as an order if you want to appear ‘smart,’ is ‘Moscow Mule.’ This drink is a mixture of vodka and ginger beer, served in an iced copper cup—a corny concoction we found it. Almost every saloon and eating-place has a piano-player who interminably pounds and sings torches off-key.”
