America has been a nation of drinkers since its founding – in fact, Colonial Americans drank roughly as much as three times as American do now. US Government figures published in 1790 reported that the per-capita alcohol consumption of Americans over fifteen was thirty-four gallons of beer and cider, five gallons of distilled spirits, and one gallon of wine, according to research from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. We may have cut back a little (you can thank clean water and indoor plumbing for that), but the American thirst for mixed drinks continues unslaked.
Colonial cocktails
Americans of the Colonial period were enterprising mixologists, mixing wine, beer, and spirits into long drinks, punches, and even desserts. The Stone Fence is one of the earliest entries in the American cocktail annals, going at least as far back as the start of the Revolutionary War, and the Rattle Skull would have been served right alongside it. And after that, you might have a Rum Flip, a Brandy Flip, or even a Syllabub for dessert!
To honor the American flag, modern mixologists paid their own tribute in the form of the Betsy Ross cocktail (named for the woman thought to have designed and sewn the second official US flag), and A Wish For Grace, developed by the Smithsonian in honor of the indentured servant girl who made a significant contribution to the construction of the Star-Spangled Banner.
The nineteenth century
This was an important century of development for American cocktails. As the population spread out, they took their spirits and recipes with them. The Old Fashioned is claimed by many states in the East and Midwest, but it really took off after it was introduced at the 1893 World’s Fair. Wisconsin loved it so much, they made the Wisconsin Old Fashioned their state drink! The latter half of this century is when we start to see fresher ingredients making their way into drinks, and the Smash template is (pun intended) a smash hit all across the nation.
Prohibition
From 1920-1933, the sale and consumption of alcohol was technically illegal in the United States – but that hardly stopped anyone! The law was so openly flouted, a new term was coined for the folks who ignored it, and a drink by that name soon followed: the Scofflaw. The Presbyterian dates from around this period, and might be a dig at the Calvinists who advanced the laws. The Income Tax is from the same time period, and has a similarly tongue-in-cheek name. The Bee’s Knees cocktail was supposedly developed specifically to cover up the taste of bathtub gin, although it remains tasty enough to deserve top-shelf stuff today.
The post-war period
The simple Screwdriver got its start after the war, and was reported to be a favorite of American expats and intelligence agents. And the Moscow Mule was no Russian op – it was in fact the creation of canny American marketers trying to offload an excess of ginger beer and unpopular vodka. This was also a period of rampant escapist fantasy that gave rise to American tiki culture – far too many to list here, but it’s worth checking out our “Tropical Cocktails” category to learn more!
