By Khalid Williams
In the art of mixology, drinks are more than mere cocktails; they are vessels of history, gateways to culture, and odes to forgotten legacies. With each drink we enjoy, we partake in an experience that extends past taste, into the very fabric of culture. Welcome to a world where making a drink isn’t just about shaking or stirring – it’s about forging connections and acknowledging the under appreciated figures that have made mixology an eclectic blend of art and science. This isn’t just a drink-making guide; it’s a movement—a celebration of the drinks and craftspeople that have been marginalized but are central to the spirit of bartending.
The Soulful Origins of American Mixology
Cocktails are America’s gift to the world. Like jazz, they embody the spirit of improvisation and creativity. But, just as jazz was a dance between American and African culture, so too are cocktails steeped in the contributions of the black community, a fountainhead of talent often overlooked. Think of it this way: The drinks you order at a trendy bar, classic concoctions like the Sazerac or the Mint Julep, might trace their heritage to New Orleans or the Southern states but the real creators rarely receive their due credit. Let me be clear- just like rock and roll, jazz, hip hop and almost all the other uniquely dope things from America,
BLACK PEOPLE INVENTED THE COCKTAIL AS WE KNOW IT.
Celebrating Diversity Behind the Bar and in the Glass
The truth is, throughout history, black bartenders and mixologists have played an influential role in creating and shaping the contemporary cocktail landscape. Their stories are often as colorful and vibrant as the drinks they put their heart and soul into crafting. It’s a narrative that deserves to be heralded, not as an addendum to the history of mixology, but as an integral component. As we share in the joy of drink making, I will offer homages to m beverage crafting black and brown heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Issue #1
The Anatomy of a Perfect Cocktail
When out and about, purchasing a beverage can be a truly stressful experience. How many times did you feel buyer’s remorse when you got a drink that just didn’t hit right?
What if you had some simple standards to rate the experience?
Five simple factors can bring us to a place of confidence when it comes to ordering drinks from a bartender. The pleasing of the senses matters more than any specific ingredient.
Does it Look Good?
We eat and drink with our eyes, first and always! If the drink pleases the vision, it makes it to the next level. If I’m buying a drink and the bartender can’t take the time to make it pretty, I doggone sure can’t trust them to make it taste good.
Does it Smell Good?
My aunti was always on my cousin about smelling food. “Why you always got to stick your nose down in the plate I just gave you?!” Although I wouldn’t say it to her face, Aunt Doll was wrong. We only can sense five taste sensations, but we can smell thousands of them. The nose knows.
Does it Taste Good?
This is the main event of the entire process, but for some people it can be the most stressful. If you remember anything I tell you, remember this: every time you taste something, make sure you have a flavor expert with you. (Spoiler alert: YOU ARE AN EXPERT IN WHAT TASTES GOOD TO YOU!)
Can I finish it?
The beverage that tastes good on the first sip needs to be good to the last drop. Something that is delicious might also be overwhelming-too thick, too sweet, too much for me to finish if I want to dance the night away. The ability for a drink to look, taste and smell good is judged by your desire to finish it and the comfort of doing so. Drinking should never hurt.
Would I pay for another one?
Cocktails and mocktails are a lot of things, but cheap is not one of them. Would you happily hand over another $12-$15 (plus tip!) to repeat the experience you just had? If not, it’s not a good drink. That’s it, that’s all. A lot goes into this besides the drink itself. Was I treated like I matter? Was the bartender accommodating and a pleasure to be around?
Stay tuned as we continue to celebrate the culture, craft, and people behind the enchanting world of mixology. Join me on this delightful and educational journey into making drinks that truly matter. Your support of this series is not just encouragement for the craft—a craft that began and was nourished by the hands and minds of the unrecognized—for it’s restoration of legacy and a path to community.
Remember, every mix tells a story. What will yours be?
Khalid is the owner of The Barrel Age – a bartender-led, beverage culture focused platform for education about the beverage industry, drinking culture, cocktails, spirits, beer, wine and mocktails. Consider booking The Barrell Age for your next event for information please visit www.https://drinkthebarrelage.com/
