The Golden Age

The cocktail as we know it was born here. Jerry Thomas published the first bartender's manual in 1862. Saloons were respected establishments. Most of the drinks we still consider essential — the Old Fashioned, the Manhattan, the Sazerac, the Martini, the Daiquiri — were invented or perfected during these decades. Bartending was a craft, ingredients were fresh, and a good drink told you what time of evening it was.