The First Mixologists:
America’s Cocktail Origins
Travel back to the early 1800s and discover the birth of America’s original cocktail culture. Before modern bars, craft cocktails, and celebrated mixologists, there were tavern keepers, apothecaries, and pioneering bartenders experimenting with spirits, bitters, sugar, and water to create something entirely new.
The First Mixologists explores the origins of the American cocktail — from early punch traditions and medicinal bitters to the first recorded definition of the cocktail in 1806. Guests will uncover the stories behind the spirits, techniques, and personalities that transformed simple tavern drinks into a uniquely American art form.
Experience the flavors of the early cocktail era through historic recipes, classic ingredients, and the innovations that laid the foundation for the drinks we know today. This is the story of the first bartenders who turned mixing a drink into a craft.
Before there were cocktail bars, there were pioneers behind the counter — the first mixologists who created America’s original drinking tradition.
Taste Testing:
Surprisingly enough we won’t be doing a whiskey tasting. Yes, Whiskey was popular, but it was fairly cheap and easy to come by. Instead, we will be focusing on the evolution of Gin and the imported spirts that had a big influence in the new cocktail culture.
You will be sampling a flight of Genever, Old Tom Gin and Plymouth Gin while being entertained by story of The Great “Tom Collins Hoax” of 1874!
