While people have been mixing drinks for much longer, it wasn’t until the early 1800s that mixology culture took off and modern Bartending became the legitimate profession it is today. Nowadays, the cocktail scene in the United States is bigger than ever. And there are certain popular Bartenders we have to thank for that.
A Short Cocktail History
They say that to understand the present, you must know the past. So, let’s talk about the periods that defined bartending. Moreover, let’s talk about the most influential Bartenders throughout those periods who have left their mark on the profession even to this day.
The Golden Age (1806–1919)
The so-called “Golden Age” started in 1806 and lasted all the way to 1919. Cocktails were originally inspired by British punches, which contain spirits, spices and fruit juices combined in large bowls. But it wasn’t until Jerry Thomas’ “The Bon Vivant’s Companion” that cocktails became widespread in the United States. This book solidified Bartending as a serious profession.
The first African American Bartender to write a cocktail book was Tom Bullock. He published “The Ideal Bartender” in 1917, just three years before Prohibition which ended this Golden Age.
Another notable figure from this era is Harry Johnson, often referred to as “the father of professional bartending.” Johnson authored the “New and Improved Bartender’s Manual,” which provided hundreds of cocktail recipes and was seminal for its detailed instructions on how to become a proper bartender. His work set the standard for bar management and cocktail preparation during the Golden Age.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Prohibition (1920–1933)
This was a dark period for Bartenders in America. With alcohol being made illegal by the 18th Amendment, work was hard to come by. That being said, many found themselves working overseas.
One such example is Harry Craddock, who worked at the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel in London. There, he invented the dry martini and published “The Savoy Cocktail Book.” This book is a great resource for classic cocktails that made London “lit” during that period.
There, Craddock was mentored by Ada Coleman, the Head Bartender of the American Bar at that time. She was also one of the first well-known female Bartenders from this period. Despite the challenges of Prohibition (1920–1933), several bartenders left an indelible mark on cocktail culture during this time.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Years of Indulgence (1934–1968)
This period is spearheaded by two people who are responsible for a lot of the modern classics you see around bars to this day: Ernest Gantt (also known as Donn Beach) and Victor Bergeron (also known as Trader Vic).
These two are responsible for the birth of Tiki cocktail culture. A culture that idolized Polynesian aesthetic. They opened different establishments throughout California that embodied Tiki culture. Donn Beach also eventually opened a bar in Waikiki.
The mai tai is the most popular cocktail from this period.
The Dark Ages (1969–1989)
The period between 1969 and 1989 in cocktail history is often referred to as the “Dark Ages.” During this time, cocktail culture experienced a significant decline. Many younger people distanced themselves from traditional cocktails, considering them outdated and something only older generations enjoyed. As a result, the trend shifted toward sweeter, more accessible drinks that appealed to a broader audience.
Drinks like the Tequila Sunrise and Piña Colada became popular during this time due to their bright colors and sugary profiles. These cocktails were easy to make and suited the tastes of people looking for something fun and flavorful. The rise of spirit mega-brands, like Baileys Irish Cream in 1974, played a major role in this shift by making sweeter cocktails even more mainstream.
Although the focus on sugary, simple drinks marked a decline in the complexity of mixology, it laid the foundation for the revival of classic cocktails in the 1990s. The simplicity and accessibility of drinks during this period reflected a desire for easy enjoyment, which would eventually lead to a renewed interest in craft cocktails and bartending artistry.
The New Age (1988–present)
Cocktail culture started gaining popularity again in 1988, thanks to Tom Cruise. In the movie, “Cocktail” he starred as a New York City Bartender named Brian who only took up bartending to make ends meet. Brian is eventually noticed by Doug, an older and more experienced bartender who teaches him the art of flair bartending.
This movie alone helped birth the next generation of flair Bartenders, a discipline that’s popular around the world to this day. Besides that movie, many other individuals dedicated themselves to reviving the craft of cocktail making. Some of these talented individuals are Dale DeGroff, Sasha Petraske (owner of Milk & Honey), Julie Reiner (co-writer of “Craft Cocktail Party: Delicious Drinks for Every Occasion”) and Audrey Saunders (creative lead of Pegu Club).
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Dale DeGroff, also known as King Cocktail, stands out amongst them. He’s the one to restore the glory of the classic cocktails and fresh ingredients that were once replaced with artificial flavors and sour mixes.
He has published two mixology books and is the inventor of some of the most popular cocktails. Some of his signatures include the Hemingway Daiquiri (a favorite of Ernest Hemingway), the Ritz Cocktail and the Gallery Gimlet.
Most of these Bartenders participate in the Tales of the Cocktail Festival. This festival is dedicated to advancing the cocktail-making industry. It was founded in 2002 by Ann Tuennerman and takes place every year in New Orleans.
Pioneering Female Bartenders in American History
While the bartending profession has historically been male-dominated, several pioneering women have made significant contributions to the craft.
- Ada Coleman: As one of the most impactful Bartenders ever, Ada Coleman worked during a time when female Bartenders were both discouraged and very hard to come by. She became known as “Coley” and attracted elite crowds such as Charlie Chaplin, Mark Twain, and the Prince of Wales over a 23-year period as head Bartender, earning the title of the most famous barmaid.
- Audrey Saunders: An American Bartender considered one of the world’s most famous, Saunders was the operating partner and creative lead of Pegu Club, a bar in New York City from 2005 to 2020. The bar was one of the most influential in the United States, and Saunders pioneered creating sophisticated drinks, with some of her inventions, like the Old Cuban and Gin-Gin Mule, becoming seen as classic cocktails.
Nowadays, many women who started bartending just to make some extra cash have since made a name for themselves in the industry, becoming highly respected professionals. One such example is Paula Lukas, a legendary female New York Bartender whose remarkable career we had the pleasure of exploring through an interview:
“About twenty years ago, when cocktails started gaining traction, I was asked to create a cocktail menu for a place I was managing and bartending at. It was a thrilling challenge, tapping into my artistic background to craft unique drinks.
Luckily, things are different now – there is a newfound respect for the craft.”
Conclusion
Cocktail culture is prevalent in America. While bartending used to have a bad reputation, the people we talked about throughout this article have changed that notion. Nowadays, there are many competitions and festivals dedicated to bartending, where Bartenders express their creativity and skills to mix drinks and come up with innovative ways to do that.
FAQ About America’s Most Popular Bartenders
Harry Johnson, often called “the father of professional bartending,” set the standard for cocktail preparation and bar management with his influential manual, “The New and Improved Bartender’s Manual.”
During Prohibition (1920-1933), many American Bartenders moved overseas, like Harry Craddock, who invented the dry martini in London, keeping the craft alive despite alcohol being illegal in the U.S.
Female bartenders like Ada Coleman and Audrey Saunders made groundbreaking contributions to the industry, with Ada becoming famous as one of the first well-known female Bartenders and Audrey pioneering sophisticated cocktails.
Tom Cruise’s role in Cocktail popularized flair bartending and inspired a new generation of Bartenders, contributing to the resurgence of cocktail culture in the late 1980s.
Dale DeGroff, known as “King Cocktail,” revived classic cocktails with fresh ingredients, earning him recognition for creating modern classics like the Hemingway Daiquiri and elevating the craft of mixology.
Written by Mitko Terziev
With over eight years of experience in the field, Mitko is a seasoned content specialist who has penned thousands of articles covering a wide array of topics. Before writing, he spent a few months working as a Bartender in one of the best bars in his hometown. In his free time, Mitko enjoys immersing himself in the worlds of gaming and nature.
Reviewed by Marcy Miniano
Marcy is an editor and writer with a background in public relations and brand marketing. Throughout her nearly decade-long career, she has honed her skills in crafting content and helping build brands across various industries — including restaurant and hospitality, travel, tech, fashion and entertainment.
