The Cocktail Spirit with Robert Hess

Ever wonder what we do with the leftovers from all the cocktails we make during a Cocktail Spirit shoot? Bainbridge Island Iced Tea of course!

Ever wonder what we do with the leftovers from all the cocktails we make during a Cocktail Spirit shoot? Bainbridge Island Iced Tea of course!

The Grasshopper Cocktail was apparently created by Philibert Guichet Jr., the owner of Tujaque's bar in New Orleans. As the story goes, it was submitted as an entry to a New York cocktail contest which was held, amazingly enough, in 1928 just before Prohibition was repealed. It is reported to have won second place. (Source: Roy F. Guste, Jr. "The Restaurants of New Orleans") Some other sources refer to the contest happening in 1919 however, just prior to Prohibition. However since one of the reported judges was Walter Winchell, who's career didn't really start until 1920, it is more likely that the contest happened during Prohibition.

The Grasshopper Cocktail was apparently created by Philibert Guichet Jr., the owner of Tujaque’s bar in New Orleans. As the story goes, it was submitted as an entry to a New York cocktail contest which was held, amazingly enough, in 1928 just before Prohibition was repealed. It is reported to have won second place. (Source: Roy F. Guste, Jr. “The Restaurants of New Orleans”) Some other sources refer to the contest happening in 1919 however, just prior to Prohibition. However since one of the reported judges was Walter Winchell, who’s career didn’t really start until 1920, it is more likely that the contest happened during Prohibition.

This drink was created by the owner (and sometimes bartender) of “Monas Bistro & Lounge” here in Seattle. It was one of my hangouts in my early years of digging into cocktails, in fact Tito (the owner) even built my home bar for me.

This drink was created by the owner (and sometimes bartender) of “Monas Bistro & Lounge” here in Seattle. It was one of my hangouts in my early years of digging into cocktails, in fact Tito (the owner) even built my home bar for me.

The December 1934 edition of Esquire Magazine includes a list of the “Top 10” most popular cocktails. The list starts with an Old Fashioned, and ends with a Daiquiri. The rest of the drinks on the list are reasonably well known. One of them, The Harvest Moon, appears to be MIA for most bartenders. It is described as being a “applejack sour with orgeat”.

The December 1934 edition of Esquire Magazine includes a list of the “Top 10” most popular cocktails. The list starts with an Old Fashioned, and ends with a Daiquiri. The rest of the drinks on the list are reasonably well known. One of them, The Harvest Moon, appears to be MIA for most bartenders. It is described as being a “applejack sour with orgeat”.

Corpse Revivers were (and are) a style of drink intended for a bit of the hair of the dog (an expression that refers to alcohol used as a treatment for a hangover). Hard to say exactly what it was about these drinks that made them seem more appropriate for this use over other drinks. Regardless of time of day of consumption, the Corpse Reviver #1 is worth discovering as it is not seen very often.

Corpse Revivers were (and are) a style of drink intended for a bit of the hair of the dog (an expression that refers to alcohol used as a treatment for a hangover). Hard to say exactly what it was about these drinks that made them seem more appropriate for this use over other drinks. Regardless of time of day of consumption, the Corpse Reviver #1 is worth discovering as it is not seen very often.

This drink was named for a member of the family which founded the Guion Line, a steamship company which operated from 1866 to 1892 and was one of the primary steamship lines providing transportation from London to New York. This drink was probably created at the Waldorf Astoria bar.

This drink was named for a member of the family which founded the Guion Line, a steamship company which operated from 1866 to 1892 and was one of the primary steamship lines providing transportation from London to New York. This drink was probably created at the Waldorf Astoria bar.

This cocktail was believed to have been named after Douglas Fairbanks Sr. If that was the case, then why is it “Fairbank” and not “Fairbanks”? An alternate story says it was named after Charles Warren Fairbank, who was Theodore Roosevelt’s vice president.

This cocktail was believed to have been named after Douglas Fairbanks Sr. If that was the case, then why is it “Fairbank” and not “Fairbanks”? An alternate story says it was named after Charles Warren Fairbank, who was Theodore Roosevelt’s vice president.

Necessity can often be a wonderful inspiration. David Wondrich created this drink several years ago when he wanted to bring a bottle of pre-mixed Manhattans to a gathering of friends on Halloween. But his liquor cabinet was missing a few critical ingredients. Using what was at hand, he crafted a drink which focused on Jameson and Lillet, and the "Weeski" was born.