First of all, I would like to admit that after a tiring week, the beginning of the weekend with cocktails and hanging out with friends is one of the best ways to relax. Despite the fact that cocktails come in various colors, shapes and combinations, they are a symbol of history and ingredients. The base of a cocktail, which is loved by everyone at all times, is the beloved beverages, to which they refer as spirits – meaning, the souls. With that said, let me now briefly discuss what mixology is and who are mixologists are.
Mixology refers to the art of combining various ingredients, including beverages and others, to create cocktails. Meanwhile, an individual who practices this art is called a mixologists.
Spirits are high-alcoholic beverages obtained from various types of fermentation or distillation processes. There are primarily five main spirits: rum, gin, whiskey, vodka and brandy.
Short story:
Cocktails are a pure American creation. It can be argued that the art of mixing beverages had been practiced for a while, but it was indeed genuinely formalized with the presence of someone like James Ashley, who ran the Punch House in London, 1731-1776 between. He can be regarded as a true precursor to mixology, although I must note that the first documented name of a bar establishment was in 1862, attributed to an American pioneer bartender known as Jerry Thomas, where he offered both common bar drinks and his own original cocktails. Jerry Thomas was indeed one of the earliest mixologists whose authored cocktails still hold a place in bar history, such as the blue blazer and unconventional variations of the Martini.
These were the initial steps in the evolving field of mixology, yet the term “mixology” and the “mixologists” actively came into use only around 1879-1880.
In 1920, the enactment of the temperance law, aimed at reducing corruption, crime, social, health and hygiene issues, as well as diminishing tax evasion potential and concerns about public safety, led to the Prohibition era. During this time, the American population did not agree with this approach and illegal production, smuggling and distribution of alcoholic beverages began. In fact, this period marked the inception of illegal bars and the emergence of the famous Speak Easy establishments, where mixologists creatively incorporated various ingredients and innovative methods to craft cocktails.
During this time, mixology took a creative turn as bartenders sought to provide an outstanding response to the high demand for exciting and unique drinks. This era also saw the popularization of jazz culture and the vibrant social scene that contributed to the creation of unconventional cocktails. It’s precisely during this period that was owe the birth of classic cocktails, which continue to be cherished worldwide even today.
During the Noble Experiment, the prohibition period attempted to ban the consumption of alcoholic beverages. However, the ban was largely unsuccessful, the alcohol consumption continued illicitly. The prohibition was lifted in 1933 in several states, but some states maintained alcohol bans until 1966. A similar situation occurred in Europe, where various countries had their own versions of alcohol 1870-1925 between. Despite these efforts, alcohol consumption persisted, especially in America.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the rise of rock ’n’ roll music and pop culture once again revitalized the cocktail culture. This period saw the resurgence of bartenders taking pride in their professionalism and maximizing their skills. This era marked the beginning of mixologists exploring new methods and pushing the boundaries of cocktail preparation. This resurgence ushered in a new wave of cocktail culture, fostering the development of innovative methods and a renewed focus on crafting cocktails.
Who are mixologists?
As mentioned above, mixologists are artists who create real magic in a small glass, they are creative and skillful individuals who can prepare action and emotion-packed cocktails which our regular ingredients for our regular evening bars. Mixologists are like those chemists who have been able to discover what’s behind every cocktail, whether it’s good or bad, but trust me, a good mixologists can’t make a bad cocktail, and vice versa.
And what do mixologists do?!
Mixologists are involved in alcoholic beverages and herbalism, some self-taught, some professionally educated. Mixologists create blends of spirits and various fresh ingredients to create combinations or aromas. Don’t think this is that simple, the whole process behind creating a cocktail takes a long time and a lot of effort, creating a drink that requires a variety of work.
From scratch, there’s an idea, it could be the scent of childhood, the aroma of twilight, or simply the desire to create something unique. Then, on the palate, lies the harmony of what flavors and specific ingredients should be combined for an intentional aromas. Next, with careful measuring, experimentation come in, as either not properly selecting one ingredient or adding an extra touch can throw off the balance of the entire cocktail. Once everything is meticulously crafted, the process of serving and the visual aspect begins, encompassing correct selection of glassware, thoughtful presentation, and so on.
And believe me, this is not a 1-2 minute process. The creation of a single cocktail can take days, weeks, or even months. Mixologists do it all for enthusiasm of cocktail enthusiasts, and they do it so that, for us, cocktail enthusiasts, another aromatic sensation is poured.
Every mixologists loves to talk about cocktails and beverages. This passion of theirs is fueled by their unconditional love and positive attitude towards cocktails, their dedication to creating delicious drinks and beverages, so when you step into a mixology bar and ask for some knowledge about cocktails and beverages, mixologists gladly embrace you and in turn, make your already colorful evening even more vibrant.
Today, there are numerous establishments worldwide that actively follow the path of mixologists, bars that work tirelessly on creating a differentiated realm in gastronomy and interior design. They put in extra effort to craft cocktails that are more sophisticated and appealing. For this purpose, they take an extra step back and delve deeper into the world of molecular mixology. To represent what can be accomplished, consider looking at the top bars, of the year’s nomination for the best bar, such as ‘Paradise’ in Barcelona, ‘Hanky Penky’ in New Mexico, and ‘Little Red Door’ in Paris. But the view is even greater at places like these. The bars that have made it to the top 10 of the world find their well-deserved place, ensuring the most pleasant experiences for the customers.
Here, I assure you that honesty and molecular mixology have not yet found their place in Georgia, and it will still take some time before significant progress is visible. Due to the relative novelty of these techniques in our country, there is still a lot to learn. Although mixologists are not yet in abundance in our country, the best are already striving to claim their spot in the list of world-class bars. Even though our country is not yet fully prepared for everything, where people serve cocktails for pleasure rather than for their intended purpose, it is evident that the trend is one the rise. It’s a sign of better times ahead, and I’m confident that over time, everything will be even more valued and cherished. We will soon see ourselves in the list of the world’s top bars, where yet another points is added to the global gastronomic map.
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