While most spirits, like gin and tequila, have an ancient history, cocktails are much more recent. From parades to hide defective alcohols to taste enhancers playing on a delicate balance, discover their history.
From New York to Europe
Cocktails are said to have first appeared in the United States in the 19th century. It was mentioned in the New York newspaper “The Balance, and Columbian Repository” in 1806. Back then, they were quite different from the creations we know today, as they were simply a mixture of spirits, sugar, water and bitters.
They were originally created to mask the taste of low-quality spirits. But bartenders soon saw their potential and began experimenting with different ways of serving tasty drinks. They went on to conquer Europe, becoming more and more complex and making the reputation of creative bartenders.
Prohibition’s new lease on life
It was with the rise of gin and vermouth that they gained in popularity and became truly interesting to taste. Then we start sipping Manhattans and Martinis. However, once again, they owe their success to mediocre spirits. We’re in the middle of Prohibition, and we need to find a way to make contraband spirits pleasant to drink. Now you can, thanks to cocktails that are fast becoming a must-have. New, more powerful ingredients such as fruit juices are added. Like the Gin & Tonic, designed to hide the taste of quinine, they were not associated with premium tastings.
Over time, they have evolved in line with the spirits that have come to the fore. Thus, triple sec takes them into an era of sophistication, and flavored vodka makes them more exotic and fruity, arousing the curiosity of consumers.
The emergence of mixology
And in the 2000s, a movement was born that would bring them to the forefront: mixology. Gone are the shenanigans of passing off spirits without much merit, cocktails are now sought-after creations made with top-of-the-range ingredients. A new breed of bartender delves into the balance of tastes to offer new experiences. They add aromatic herbs, make their own syrups and try out original flavors. The approach becomes gastronomic, artisanal, and sometimes even scientific. Culinary techniques such as clarification and fermentation are introduced. Cocktails are now an absolutely sublime art when mastered to perfection, and this trend is growing all the time!
Did you know that? The name cocktail comes from the French “coquetier”, which used to refer to a small glass.
Would you like to make your own high-flying cocktails at home? Follow all our recipes, from the most traditional to innovative designs and revisited classics. Paloma, Dry Martini, Watermelon Fizz or Gina Colada, you’ll be spoilt for choice!
