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by: Jerry Thomas
1862
Dick & Fitzgerald
The original bartender's guide, written in 1862
In 1862, an important publishing event occured. Jerry Thomas published a collection of recipes for bartenders, and this turned out to be the very first such book ever published. As a snapshot of what the general public was drinking back in those days, this volume is a undeniable wealth of information, and the drinks it includes happen to be quite good as well.
Specifically noteable, is the fact that the cocktail, the drink that we now see as being virtually inseperable from the bartenders duties, played only a small roll in this volume of recipes. By the time Mr. Thomas lists the scant 10 cocktail recipes of his collection, he has already covered nearly a hundred recipes for a variety of other drinks. And of those 10 cocktail recipes provided, there is only a single one, The Champagne Cocktail, that we would recognize by name today. the other cocktails listed have names of equally creative manufacture: Bottle Cocktail, Brandy Cocktail, Fancy Brandy Cocktail, Whiskey Cocktail, Gin Cocktail, Fancy Gin Cocktail, and Soda Cocktail. However a little bit of the more modern perchance for fanciful names do make themselves known in the "Japanese Cocktail", as well as the Jersey Cocktail.
Another portion of this book which is of interest to historians, is the fact that in the second half of this book is provided a volume of "Manual for the Manufacture of Cordials, Liquors, Fancy Syrups, &c. &c." written by Christian Schultz. The reason that this would be part of a bartenders manual, is because back in those days the bartenders were expected to make many of the cordials and additives that were used in the drinks that they made. As cocktails gained in popularity, it would even be required for them to make their own cocktail bitters for use behind the bar.
First Editions of How To Mix Drinks (a.k.a. The Bartender's Guide) can be extremely hard to find, and when you do find them they can fetch upwards of $600 or more depending on their quality. You should keep your eye's out at your favorite venue for used bar books to wait for this book to show up so you can add it to your library.
Good News!!!
New Day Publishing has recently (January 2004) come out with a faithful facimile reprint of this book. While you might still desire to pick up an authentic edition for your collection, I would highly recommend that you pick up a copy of this reprint edition for actual use. It makes a great gift as well!
The reproduction edition is available via Amazon.com, or you can also buy it from their website: http://www.OldWaldorfAstoriaBarBook.com
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