Level up - History
Level up your cocktail historical knowledge
Explore the captivating history of cocktails with our 'Level Up Your Knowledge of the History of Cocktails' series.
Delve into the origins and evolution of iconic drinks, from the classic Old Fashioned to the sleek Martini. Each article brings to life the stories and milestones that shaped mixology, offering a glimpse into the cultural impacts and legends behind your favorite cocktails. Perfect for enthusiasts and history buffs, this series enriches your understanding of cocktail craft, one fascinating tale at a time.
Who Invented the Amaretto Sour?
With most classic cocktails, it is possible to track down the origins of the recipe. Bartenders love to claim to have invented the most popular blends, since it gives them five minutes of fame and ele... read more
The History of the Bloody Mary Cocktail
The Bloody Mary cocktail has undergone something of a revival of late. The ultimate hangover cure, this is a dangerous cocktail to drink, since the tomato juice can often mask the taste of the alcohol... read more
History of the Sazerac Cocktail
An intoxicating combination of absinthe, whiskey and bitters, with a teaspoon of sugar for good measure, the Sazerac is not a cocktail that should be gulped down quickly. The high alcohol content dema... read more
The History of the Vesper Cocktail
This classic cocktail was not created by some superstar mixologist in a high-class bar, or adapted from some ancient naval recipe. In fact, the Vesper Martini is so intrinsically linked with Ian Flemi... read more
The History of the El Presidente Cocktail
National Rum Day is quite possibly one of the very best reasons to drink rum. Our classic cocktail of the month is the El Presidente cocktail, because it is my favourite way to incorporate rum into my... read more
The History of the Screwdriver Cocktail
All eyes are on Russia this month, with the 2018 World Cup well underway and just a few more matches before one team is awarded the honour of winning. With that in mind, we wanted to find a cocktail t... read more
The Story of the Sangria
No other drink gives us summer holiday vibes quite like the Sangria. Images of tropical paradises on the beach, under a palm tree, are only completed with a glass of the red cocktail in hand. Few othe... read more
A Short History of the Crack Baby Cocktail
The Crack Baby cocktail might not have been around long enough to be labelled a classic just yet, but it is a drink favoured by new mum-of-three Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and it comes with quite a s... read more
The History of the Tequila Sunrise
It is very rare to find the Tequila Sunrise on the cocktail menu of any self-respecting classy establishment these days, since it has gained a rather tacky reputation, with most proud mixologists avoi... read more
The History of the Gimlet
The Gimlet has one of the more interesting stories concerning its creation, although it is now enjoyed for pleasure rather than ‘necessity’! Concocted by a doctor, rather than a mixologist, the drink... read more
The History of the Moscow Mule
This week, the Moscow Mule was rated the top cocktail in Michigan, according to research undertaken by Versus Reviews. Its easy to see why; who can resist that mouth-watering combination of spicy ging... read more
The History of the Shirley Temple
In a bid to encourage those that have so far managed to complete two weeks of Dry January, we are taking a look back at the classic mocktail inspired by a child movie star. The Shirley Temple was made... read more
Bartender's top tip
Latest articles
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get tips straight into your inbox.