These days, we’re seriously spoiled for choice when it comes to delicious cocktails to try – and there are always new and exciting ones coming to the fore, with the boundaries of mixology constantly being pushed. Who knows what we’ll be drinking next!
However, from a mixologist’s perspective, it’s always good to remember your roots and think about where your craft first started… and it’s always nice to be able to offer your customers something traditional to drink, as well as something more innovative and avant-garde.
Interestingly, the history of cocktails can actually be traced all the way back to the 18th century, when American taverns first started serving up mixed beverages – typically with rum!
If you’re wondering what new-old tipples to add to your menu, here are just a couple of the oldest variations of cocktail to consider. Give them a whirl and see what your punters think!
The Sazerac
Naturally, there will always be a bit of back and forth when discussing what the first cocktail ever mixed was but the general consensus seems to be that the Sazerac is where it all began.
A distant relative of the now-fabled Old Fashioned, the Sazerac traditionally uses brandy or rye whiskey, sugar, bitters and absinthe, so it’s a little less sweet than an Old Fashioned… a great alternative for anyone looking for a more peppery flavour from their drink.
The Sling
Another very early cocktail was the Sling – which proved very popular during colonial times in the US and was often imbibed as an early morning drink! It was traditionally just a mix of spirits, sugar and water, later morphing into the likes of the Gin Sling and the Singapore Sling, both of which are still thoroughly enjoyed today.
The Gin Fizz
It’s thought that the Gin Fizz dates back to the US in the late 19th century, devised by one Henry Charles Ramos and originally made using gin, sugar and lemon juice. These days, it’s made using a range of different spirits and mixologists often swap out the sugar and use simple syrup instead, as well as an egg white for a bit of extra froth and fun.
The Gin Rickey
To uncover the origins of the Gin Rickey, we need to go back to the 1880s and get to know politician ‘Colonel Joe’ Rickey who – as the story goes – found himself in a bar in Washington DC on a hot summer’s day and asked for a highball full to the brim with gin, fresh lime juice and sparkling water. The rest, as they say, is history!
To make the Gin Rickey, all you need to do is fill a highball with ice and then add your gin and lime juice before topping up with club soda and garnishing with a couple of artfully positioned lime wheels. Job done!
