Publisher's Synopsis
Cocktails have certainly come a long way since the 1920s and 30s when they were enjoyed in speakeasies.
Prohibition resulted in gin replacing the previously popular whiskey. Gin doesn't need time to age, allowing it to be distilled quickly and illicitly. However, this did not produce a great tasting product. Fruit juices, honey, and other flavorings were often added to make the tipple more palatable.
With the constant threat of surprise raids, these sweet cocktails became increasingly popular because they were easy to drink quickly.
By the sixties, sparkling Perry and sweet German wines were the tipples of choice. By the 80s, shots, wine coolers, White Zinfandel, and lite beers were popular.
Traditional cocktails, such as the Tom Collins, Sidecar, and the Bloody Mary, began to make a comeback in the new millennium. Within a few years, mixology - the art of mixing cocktails - has grown tremendously. Cocktail Bars sprang up around the world, concocting new and wonderful creations.
Today, we have inventions like the Mango Mojito, a Pink Russian, and an Amaretto Margarita. All combining novel ingredients and flavorings, and fusing them with timeless classics.
In fact, the more whimsical the better. So dust off that cocktail shaker, polish those glasses, shake it all about, and get mixing.
