The hosts discuss cocktail history with iconic bartender Jerry Thomas. They explore the origins of the Tom Collins cocktail and the differences between fizz and Collins cocktails. They also share the recipe and history of the bee's knees cocktail. The chapter then focuses on the life and career of Jerry Thomas, highlighting his bartending jobs and book of cocktail recipes.
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Quick takeaways
The Tom Collins is a classic gin cocktail with conflicting origin stories, originating either in London or in New York/New Jersey, consisting of gin, lemon juice, sugar, and club soda.
The Bee's Knees is a popular gin cocktail with disputed origins, potentially invented by Molly Brown or created during Prohibition, containing gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup and having a stronger flavor than a Tom Collins.
Deep dives
The Origins of the Tom Collins
The Tom Collins is a classic gin cocktail that has conflicting origin stories. One story places its origins in London, where it was created as a single serving version of gin punch at Limmer's Hotel. Another story credits a bartender named Collins in New York or New Jersey as the creator. The drink consists of gin, lemon juice, sugar, and club soda, and has variations like the John Collins, made with bourbon instead of gin. The exact origins and naming of the drink remain unclear.
The Bee's Knees and Its Origins
The Bee's Knees is another popular gin cocktail with various origin stories. One story suggests that Molly Brown, survivor of the Titanic, invented the drink in Paris. Another story links it to the Prohibition era, claiming that it was created to mask the flavor of low-quality gin. Regardless of its origins, the Bee's Knees is made with gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup. It is both refreshing and stronger than a Tom Collins due to the absence of club soda.
The Influence of Jerry Thomas
Jerry Thomas, considered the father of the modern bartending profession, made a significant impact on cocktail history. He wrote the first North American bartender's guide, which included numerous cocktail recipes that he collected throughout his travels. Thomas was known for his showmanship and flair bartending. His most famous drink, the Blue Blazer, involved igniting a mixture of scotch whiskey and boiling water, creating a stream of liquid fire. Despite his successes, Thomas faced financial difficulties throughout his career and ultimately passed away in poverty.
Jerry Thomas's Legacy
Jerry Thomas's legacy lives on as he continues to be remembered as an iconic figure in the world of cocktails. His contributions to the bartending profession and his role as a pioneer in flair bartending are widely recognized. Today, cocktail enthusiasts can still enjoy drinks like the Tom Collins and the Bee's Knees, which were popularized by Thomas's bartending guide.
This episode was recorded (mostly) live at the AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay, where we talked about Collinses, the Bees Knees, and a man who is iconic in bartending history.
Research:
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