Golden Age
1800–1919
The birth and golden age of the American cocktail. Professional bartending emerged as a craft, cocktail manuals were published, and iconic drinks like the Martini, Manhattan, and Old Fashioned were created.
Key Events
- 1806: First printed definition of 'cocktail' in The Balance and Columbian Repository
- 1862: Jerry Thomas publishes How to Mix Drinks, the first cocktail book
- 1870s: Manhattan and Martini emerge in New York
- 1880s: The Old Fashioned gains its name
- 1888: Henry C. Ramos creates the Ramos Gin Fizz
- 1900s: American bartenders begin emigrating to Europe
Key Figures
Jerry Thomas (the father of American mixology), Harry Johnson, William Schmidt, Ada Coleman (Savoy Hotel)
Cultural Context
The Industrial Revolution created a wealthy urban class with leisure time. Improved ice production and distribution transformed drinking culture. Bartending became a respected profession.
