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