Like all historical drinks there are myths surrounding Leche de Pantera (Panther’s Milk). What is certain is that it originated with the Spanish Foreign Legion in the 1920s. Some claim that it came about when the head and founder of the Spanish Foreign Legion, General José Millán-Astray asked Perico Chicote of Bar Chicote in Madrid to devise a drink for his troops that was “cheap, easy to make and can be served in any situation.” Another camp maintains that it was created by recovering soldiers, confined to the infirmary, who would mix medical-grade alcohol with condensed milk, the spirit upgraded to naval gin once they had returned to barracks.
Either way it remained in obscurity until 1975 when a former Legionnaire began serving Leche de Pantera at his bar, La Barretina (now closed), on Carrer de la Mercè in Barcelona. It rapidly became a students’ favourite, being cheap, possibly nourishing but, essentially, got you very pissed. Its popularity spread along the street, diversifying, with the addition of grenadine, into Leche de Pantera Rosa, the Pink Panther. Can Pumuki and a few other bars on Mercè still make it by the bucket full.
Stir 30 ml gin and 30 ml whiskey into 150 ml condensed milk in an ice filled glass. Add a splash of water and dust with cinnamon (originally gunpowder!). Now throw it away. Leave it for the students. It will do you no good. Believe me, I’ve tried it.