Cocktail Timeline
There may be WAY too much information to handle in this fashion, but we may not know unless we try. The timeline should be broken down into individual "Eras". If this list gets too top-heavy, we can split each era into their own page.
The following detail the major milestones in cocktail history.
Pre-Dawn (before 1800)
It was in the decades and centuries prior to 1800 that the artform of the Mixed Drink was evolving. Instead of recipes for individual drinks, the pattern was to created mixed drink "categories".
Dawn of the Cocktail (1800 to 1860)
The cocktail comes onto the scene in the beginning of the 1800's and very gradually begins to get noticed. The concept of "mixed drink categories" was still prevalent, but over time would loose its luster.
1806
May 6, 1806, "The Balance & Columbian Repository" provides one of the first mentions of the "cock-tail"[1].
May 13, 1806, In response to a readers letter, the editor of "The Balance & Columbian Repository" provides the first known definition of the "cock-tail" as "Cock tail, then in a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters"[2].
Golden Age (1860 to 1920)
Entering into this era, the cocktail is still just "yet another" mixed drink category, which isn't necessarily seen as being any more important than the others, but that changes quickly. By the end of this time the cocktail is king, to the point of becoming an umbrella category that incorporates many other mixed drink types.
Prohibition (1920 to 1933)
The "Great Cocktail Lobotomy" descends upon the US. During this decade the art and craft of the cocktail is all but forgotten.
Years of Indulgence (1934 to 1968)
With Prohibition over, the general public attempts to reestablish their pursuits of the well turned drink, but too much had been forgotten, and too many bad habits had been formed. The birth of Tiki almost reminds us of the craft of the cocktail, but it eventually becomes a façade of itself. Renewed interest in the Martini tries to remind us of what we had forgotten, but the Vodka Martini turns it into little more than an alcohol delivery vehicle.
The Dark Ages (1969-1989)
The cocktail turns comical. Many eschew cocktails since they see them as "what their parents used to drink", and those who eventually do partake, favor the syrupy sweet beverages which remind them of their childhood.
Age of Rediscovery (1990-2000)
The decade leading up to 2000 saw a slowly growing interest in rediscovering the cocktail. There was a small, but dedicated group of individuals who began to dig into the long forgotten cocktailian craft as it existed prior to Prohibition and would set the stage for giving the cocktail a greater exposure.
1998
January, 1998: DrinkBoy.com is launched by Robert Hess
1999
August, 1999: The DrinkBoy forum is created by Robert Hess on MSN Groups
Cocktail Revival (2000 to Present)
2003
March 3, 2003: "A Tribute to Professor Jerry Thomas" at the Plaza Hotel in New York. Featuring Jerry Thomas cocktails served by Dale DeGroff, Ted Haigh, Robert Hess, George Papadakis, Sash Petraske, Gary Regan, Audrey Saunders, and David Wondrich. Presented in cooperation with Slow Food NYC[3][4].
2004
October, 2004: The Museum of the American Cocktail is founded by Dale DeGroff, Jill DeGroff, Robert Hess, Philip Greene, Ted Haigh, Anistatia Miller, Jared Brown, Chris McMillian, Laura McMillian[5].
2005
August 29, 2005: The Pegu Club cocktail lounge opens in New York[6].
References
- ↑ The Origin of the Cocktail, Ted Haigh (Imbibe)
- ↑ The Origin of the Cocktail, Ted Haigh (Imbibe)
- ↑ A Tribute To Jerry Thomas, Robert Hess (DrinkBoy.com)
- ↑ Shaken, Stirred or Mixed, The Gilded Age Lives Again, William Grimes (New York Times)
- ↑ The Museum of the American Cocktail (Wikipedia)
- ↑ The Pegu Club, Frank Bruni (New York Times)
