The cocktail stands as one of America's most enduring cultural contributions, a sophisticated blend of spirits, flavors and artistry that has evolved over nearly two centuries. From its medicinal origins to its role in defining modern luxury, the cocktail's journey mirrors the American experience itself. Join us as we explore this fascinating history through four distinct eras that shaped the drinks we savor today.
When did the cocktail begin?
| This is the text published in The Farmer’s Cabinet (Amherst, New Hampshire, USA) of 28th April 1803—this newspaper was published by Joseph Cushing. |
The earliest cocktails emerged not as recreational beverages, but as medicinal elixirs. In 1803, an early mixture of spirits, sugar, water and bitters appeared in advertisements, claiming to "cure illness and bring people back to life." The first recorded reference to the cocktail by name appeared in The Farmer's Cabinet of Amherst, New Hampshire, on April 28, 1803: "Drank a glass of cocktail—excellent for the head."
From these humble medicinal origins, bartenders began experimenting with flavors and presentations. Jerry Thomas rose to prominence in the 1860s, achieving fame through his 1862 publication "How to Mix Drinks," which included recipes for the Tom Collins, Blue Blazer and Brandy Daisy. Thomas elevated bartending beyond mere drink preparation into theatrical performance art. He wore elaborate suits adorned with ornate brooches and famously kept two pet rats perched on his shoulders while mixing drinks, establishing the precedent for bartenders as entertainers.
| Historic advertisement for Jerry Thomas. Circa 1860. Source. |
The cocktail shaker itself represents remarkable design continuity. The 1884 patent by Edward Hauck for the modern three-part cobbler shaker introduced two metal containers that fit together with a strainer on top—essentially the same design used today. While modern shakers use stainless steel rather than the original nickel-plated brass, Hauck's efficient and elegant design has required virtually no modification across 140 years of use.
What was the Age of Oblivion?
The cocktail's popularity surged dramatically following World War I, driven by a generation seeking escape from wartime trauma. Returning soldiers found themselves searching in a disoriented society for means to escape, and many turned to the potent hard liquors and cocktails that distinguished American drinking culture from the beer and wine traditions of Europe.
| Cover of a 1922 edition of F. Scott Fitzgerald's book Tales of the Jazz Age, painted by John Held, Jr. |
As the Daily Mail observed in 1919, "People are dancing as they have never danced before, in a happy rebound from the austerities of war." Access to cocktails became emblematic of both financial and social status, while America's older generation grew increasingly concerned with normalized binge drinking behavior.
| Art Deco Trombone Cocktail Shaker. Circa 1925. M.S. Rau. |
The younger generation embraced cocktail culture as a liberation from traditional constraints. The theatrical elements of cocktail preparation, particularly before dinner, gained tremendous popularity. Elaborate shakers, including Art Deco designs shaped like trombones, demonstrated the performative nature of cocktail service during this exuberant era.
F. Scott Fitzgerald captured this zeitgeist perfectly, with his 1922 Tales of the Jazz Age depicting a society where cocktails symbolized freedom, sophistication and rebellion against Victorian propriety.
What did Prohibition do?
The Eighteenth Amendment's prohibition of alcohol production, importation, transportation and sale in 1920 paradoxically intensified America's cocktail obsession. Rather than eliminating drinking, Prohibition drove creativity in homemade liquors and clandestine consumption.
| Poster for the 1925 film Flaming Flappers. |
Speakeasies—hidden bars and jazz halls operated by underground organizations—proliferated throughout American cities. New York City alone hosted an estimated 32,000 such establishments at the height of Prohibition. These illicit social networks fostered unprecedented freedoms, particularly for women.
The flapper emerged as the embodiment of this cultural revolution. Victorian corsets and floor-length skirts gave way to knee-length hemlines and practical trousers. Elaborate Edwardian hairstyles were replaced by chic, gender-defying bobs. These modern, dance-loving, cocktail-sipping women chose glamorous jewelry and precious colored gemstones to complement their glasses and tumblers, deliberately drawing attention to their consumption of illicit beverages.
| Thirst Extinguisher Cocktail Shaker by Asprey & Co. Circa 1932. M.S. Rau. |
Despite the dangers of unregulated alcohol production, this era produced some of the most innovative and enduring drink recipes in American history. The creativity born from necessity during Prohibition established many classic cocktails that remain popular today.
What came after Prohibition?
Prohibition's repeal in 1933 unleashed pent-up demand for sophisticated cocktail culture. Luxury decorative arts firms immediately began producing elaborate shakers and accessories. Prestigious houses, including Cartier, Tiffany and Asprey, each designed distinctive pieces that became both commercially successful and highly coveted by collectors.
The 1940s and 1950s witnessed the cocktail party's emergence as America's preferred social entertainment format. Young professionals favored these gatherings over formal sit-down dinners, creating events designed to impress through home décor, prestigious bar setups and fashionable attire.
| Nautical Gyroscope Cocktail Service. Mid 20th Century. M.S. Rau. |
Cocktail parties democratized luxury, offering accessible opulence for common society members while elevating lifestyle and social interaction. This cultural impact persists today in our concept of "cocktail attire"—a dress code that encourages sophisticated, often daring fashion choices while maintaining nostalgic connections to cocktail culture's golden age.
What is the importance of cocktails today?
We may be partial, but we are not alone in our belief that the cocktail’s legacy finds its most celebrated expression in New Orleans, America's cocktail capital. Our city created iconic drinks like the Sazerac and Ramos Gin Fizz while establishing the theatrical bartending traditions that continue today.
| Source. |
New Orleans' annual Tales of the Cocktail festival has become the world's premier celebration of cocktail culture, transforming the French Quarter into a living museum of mixology history. The five-day event draws professionals and enthusiasts globally, celebrating the artistry and cultural significance that elevated cocktails from simple refreshment to sophisticated art form.
| Art Deco Pop-up Drinks Table. Circa 1930. M.S. Rau. |
Today's cocktail enthusiasts inherit nearly two centuries of American mixology wisdom—a tradition that finds its most authentic expression in New Orleans' historic bars and the city's continued leadership in cocktail innovation.
M.S. Rau's collection includes exceptional cocktail shakers, bar accessories and period jewelry that reflect the sophistication and artistry of America's cocktail culture. Find your next treasure in our extensive collection!
