The history of the cocktail
Alexis Taoufiq
1740
The origins of the cocktail date back to the 1700s. It is said that Admiral Edward Vernon offered his crew members a shot of rum, water, lemon, and sugar to celebrate a resounding victory in a battle near Puerto Rico. First served cold and made with Pusser's rum (a thick, dark rum), this drink was named Old Grog, in reference to the grogram (thick cloth) cape that Admiral Vernon wore on bad weather days. You will recognize here the cocktail that is now commonly known as "Grog."
May 1806
The first definition of the word cocktail appears in "The Balance and the Columbian Repository" newspaper of the city of Hudson in the State of New York. At that time the word cocktail designated a drink composed of a spirit of any kind, sugar, water and bitters.
1862
Jerry Thomas wrote the first cocktail book "The Bon Vivant's Companion or How to mix Drinks" which lists more than 236 recipes. He also introduced with this a manual on the manufacture of syrups and liqueurs written by Christian Schultz. In his book we find cocktails such as the Blue blazer or the Tom and Jerry.
1882
Harry Johnson releases the first book for bartenders, New and improved bartender's manual.
1890
The word cocktail refers to any drink made in a mixing glass or shaker and served "straight up" (without ice).
1860-1900
More than forty books on cocktails have been published in the United States, including John Collins, Gin Fizz, Manhattan and Old Fashioned.
1900
First written trace of the Dry Martini in the book "American bar" written by Frank Newman who officiated at the bar of the Grand Hotel in Paris. Twist of the cocktail the Martinez created by Jerry Thomas.
Early 19th century
Explosion of the cocktail in the United States with a strong export on the other side of the Atlantic with the opening of establishments in England, France or Germany under the gaze of American barmen who make the joy of the cocktail discover to the rest of the world. These establishments are called "American Bar".
1919- 1933
Beginning of prohibition in the United States. Important step in the history of the cocktail. Creation of the "Speakeasies". Clandestine cocktail bar. American tourists go to Cuba, a new attraction for this land where American jurisdiction does not have effect. We discover new cocktails, such as the Daiquiri, the Mojito, the Cuba Libre or the Presidente.
Many American bartenders fled to work in Europe.
This is the case of Harry Craddock who settled at the Savoy Hotel in London, Frank Meier at the Ritz in Paris or Harry McElhone who opened Harry's Bar in 1923.
The Americano, the Side car, the French 75 and the Red Lion make their appearance.
1945 -1980
Victor Bergeron aka Trader Vic as well as Donn Beach aka Don the Beachcomber, promotes the expansion of the tiki movement of tropical cocktails of Polynesian influence served in statues representing the goddess of the same name such as the Mai Tai or the Zombie. Long drinks are also popular. With the success of vodka in the United States, there is nothing simpler than adding a dose of vodka to one or more fruit juices.
1980 to 2000
The essential cosmopolitan is making its debut in bars around the world and fresh fruits are in the spotlight: Melon Martini, Apple Martini Sex on the Beach, Strawberry Mojito, or Raspberry Daiquiri. A trend of quality consumption is taking hold rather than quantity consumption.
Today
The cocktail has taken on another dimension after a passage through molecular mixology. We are returning to old flavors and old classics. Homemade infusion, reduction or even "fat wash". Bartenders are looking for raw products to rework into cocktails. No more layered cocktails.
Source: The Larousse of cocktails
The origins of the cocktail date back to the 1700s. It is said that Admiral Edward Vernon offered his crew members a shot of rum, water, lemon, and sugar to celebrate a resounding victory in a battle near Puerto Rico. First served cold and made with Pusser's rum (a thick, dark rum), this drink was named Old Grog, in reference to the grogram (thick cloth) cape that Admiral Vernon wore on bad weather days. You will recognize here the cocktail that is now commonly known as "Grog."
May 1806
The first definition of the word cocktail appears in "The Balance and the Columbian Repository" newspaper of the city of Hudson in the State of New York. At that time the word cocktail designated a drink composed of a spirit of any kind, sugar, water and bitters.
1862
Jerry Thomas wrote the first cocktail book "The Bon Vivant's Companion or How to mix Drinks" which lists more than 236 recipes. He also introduced with this a manual on the manufacture of syrups and liqueurs written by Christian Schultz. In his book we find cocktails such as the Blue blazer or the Tom and Jerry.
1882
Harry Johnson releases the first book for bartenders, New and improved bartender's manual.
1890
The word cocktail refers to any drink made in a mixing glass or shaker and served "straight up" (without ice).
1860-1900
More than forty books on cocktails have been published in the United States, including John Collins, Gin Fizz, Manhattan and Old Fashioned.
1900
First written trace of the Dry Martini in the book "American bar" written by Frank Newman who officiated at the bar of the Grand Hotel in Paris. Twist of the cocktail the Martinez created by Jerry Thomas.
Early 19th century
Explosion of the cocktail in the United States with a strong export on the other side of the Atlantic with the opening of establishments in England, France or Germany under the gaze of American barmen who make the joy of the cocktail discover to the rest of the world. These establishments are called "American Bar".
1919- 1933
Beginning of prohibition in the United States. Important step in the history of the cocktail. Creation of the "Speakeasies". Clandestine cocktail bar. American tourists go to Cuba, a new attraction for this land where American jurisdiction does not have effect. We discover new cocktails, such as the Daiquiri, the Mojito, the Cuba Libre or the Presidente.
Many American bartenders fled to work in Europe.
This is the case of Harry Craddock who settled at the Savoy Hotel in London, Frank Meier at the Ritz in Paris or Harry McElhone who opened Harry's Bar in 1923.
The Americano, the Side car, the French 75 and the Red Lion make their appearance.
1945 -1980
Victor Bergeron aka Trader Vic as well as Donn Beach aka Don the Beachcomber, promotes the expansion of the tiki movement of tropical cocktails of Polynesian influence served in statues representing the goddess of the same name such as the Mai Tai or the Zombie. Long drinks are also popular. With the success of vodka in the United States, there is nothing simpler than adding a dose of vodka to one or more fruit juices.
1980 to 2000
The essential cosmopolitan is making its debut in bars around the world and fresh fruits are in the spotlight: Melon Martini, Apple Martini Sex on the Beach, Strawberry Mojito, or Raspberry Daiquiri. A trend of quality consumption is taking hold rather than quantity consumption.
Today
The cocktail has taken on another dimension after a passage through molecular mixology. We are returning to old flavors and old classics. Homemade infusion, reduction or even "fat wash". Bartenders are looking for raw products to rework into cocktails. No more layered cocktails.
Source: The Larousse of cocktails