A Brief History of Alcohol in America-
At the time the U.S. was created, alcohol was seen as healthy.
In 1790, drinking-age Americans consumed an average of 5.8 gallons of pure alcohol annually, according to the “Spirited Republic” exhibit. By 1830, that number had risen to 7.1 gallons. That’s a lot, considering that Americans today drink on average 2.5 gallons a year, according to the World Health Organization.
At the time, alcohol was viewed as a digestive aid and a source of strength. With no standard water treatment system in the U.S., some considered it an alternative to water.
The first definition of the cocktail came about in 1806
A newspaper based in Hudson, N.Y., called The Balance and Columbian Repository defined a cocktail this way: a drink comprised of sugar, water, bitters and “spirits of any kind.” The paper’s editor, Harry Croswell, wrote the definition in response to the question, “What is a cocktail?” He continued:
It is vulgarly called bittered sling, and is supposed to be an excellent electioneering potion, in as much as it renders the heart stout and bold, at the same time that it fuddles the head.
In 1862, the “Bar-Tender’s Guide” by Jerry Thomas — widely considered the first bartending guide — was created. Prohibition would come 51 years later.
Pic: https://www.flickr.com/photos/48140075@N04/5717098737/
