| The cocktail is practically an American
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| | took with him a set of solid silver bar
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| institution. One of the very first
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| | utensils constructed at a cost of $4,000!
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| Bartenders to popularise the cocktail was
| |
| | Returning to New York Thomas became the
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| Jerry Thomas, Americas original
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| | principal bartender at the Metropolitan
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| "Celebrity Bartender". Thomas wrote what
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| | hotel. Then in 1866 he opened his most
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| is widely considered as one of the first
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| | famous bar located on Broadway between
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| books to contain cocktail recipes, "The
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| | 21st and 22nd Streets.
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| Bartenders Guide".
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| | Thomas was "an imposing and lordly figure
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| When I first came across this little
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| | of a man, portly, sleek and jovial, yet
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| volume (last published in 1887) in a
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| | possessed of immense dignity". His trade
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| dusty old book shop I was blown away.
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| | mark was a "jacket of pure and spotless
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| Here at last was cocktail history laid
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| | white which encased his great bulk". He
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| bare! I bought it on the spot and
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| | also sported a huge moustache, in the
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| literally sat up all night and read the
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| | Walrus style! Obviously a man once seen,
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| book cover to cover. For anyone with even
| |
| | not easily forgotten!
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| a flicker of interest in cocktails and
| |
| | The various saloons he operated became
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| drinks its an enthralling read. Jerry
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| | showplaces where he demonstrated his
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| Thomas is to cocktail culture what Louis
| |
| | mixologist's art. They were very popular
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| Armstrong is to Jazz!
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| | with the sporting and theatrical
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| Here at last, set down on paper, were
| |
| | celebrities of the day. To quote the New
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| some of the very first cocktail recipes
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| | York times on his death in 1885 he was
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| ever recorded. It was amazing, but it
| |
| | "at one time better known to club men and
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| wasn't just cocktails, the book contained
| |
| | men about town than any other bartender
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| a host of other recipes, for "Punch, Egg
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| | in the city, and he was very popular
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| Nogs, Juleps, Smashs, Cobblers, Mulls,
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| | among all classes".
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| Sangarees, Toddies, Slings, Sours, Flips,
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| | He is credited with inventing the "Blue
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| Negus, Shrubs, Pousse Café, Cups" and
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| | Blazer" and the "Tom and Jerry" and
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| many, many more.
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| | certainly popularised many other early
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| In total there were some 230+ original
| |
| | cocktails and drinks. In reference to the
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| recipes. Some were famous, some I'd never
| |
| | Blue Blazer the Bartenders Guide says,
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| even heard of! They represented an
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| | "The novice in mixing this beverage
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| amazing cross-section of exciting and
| |
| | should be careful not to scald himself.
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| wonderful drinks.
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| | To become proficient in throwing the
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| Jeremiah P. Thomas was born in Jefferson
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| | liquid from one mug to the other, it will
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| County, New York in November 1830 and
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| | be necessary to practise for some time
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| first learned the bartending trade in New
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| | with cold water."
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| Haven. He then went to San Francisco and
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| | Thomas's book was first published in
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| the California gold fields.
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| | 1862, and quickly went through half a
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| In 1851 he opened the first of four
| |
| | dozen printings. The book was updated in
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| saloons in New York, below Barnum's
| |
| | 1876 and the final edition published in
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| Museum at Broadway and Ann Street. He
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| | 1887. In the first edition there were ten
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| then seems to have travel around the US
| |
| | recipes which Thomas referred to as
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| for several years. Working as head
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| | cocktails (by the 1887 edition the
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| bartender at top hotels in St. Louis,
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| | cocktails numbered some 20+). His book
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| Chicago, San Francisco, Charleston, S.C.,
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| | was probably the first to include actual
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| and New Orleans. Slowly turning himself
| |
| | recipes for cocktails and certainly the
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| into Americas first celebrity bartender!
| |
| | world's first bartender's guide.
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| In 1859 he visited London and Paris. He
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| |
|
