The Museum of the American Cocktail facts for kids
The Museum of the American Cocktail is a special place in New Orleans, Louisiana. It's a group that teaches people about how cocktails are made and their interesting history in the United States. They want to keep the story of these drinks alive. The museum holds events like tastings with special classes or displays. Every year, they also give out awards called the American Cocktail Awards, or "Olives," with the United States Bartenders Guild.
Contents
Discovering the American Cocktail
The Museum of the American Cocktail started in October 2004. It was founded by a group of experts, writers, and historians. These people knew a lot about drinks and their past. The museum teaches about mixology, which is the art of making mixed drinks. They do this through their displays, monthly classes, and special events.
Visitors can learn about the history of the cocktail. They can see how these drinks have influenced music, theater, art, movies, and even politics around the world. This history goes back over two hundred years! The museum shows off old and unique cocktail shakers. You can also see books from the time of Prohibition. Prohibition was a period when alcohol was illegal in the U.S. There are also old records, bar tools, photos, and other cool items. These items come from the museum's friends and founders.
The Museum of the American Cocktail has a website and sends out a monthly newsletter. They also publish a yearly magazine called Mixologist. In 2006, the museum released a small book called The Museum of the American Cocktail Pocket Recipe Guide. This book has tips, techniques, and 100 classic recipes. Some recipes are from Jerry Thomas, who lived in New York in the mid-1800s. He is known as the "father of American mixology."
The Museum's Home in New Orleans
The Museum of the American Cocktail moved back to New Orleans in July 2008. In 2014, it found a new home inside the Southern Food and Beverage Museum. This museum is located in a building that used to be a market. You can find it at 1504 Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard.
The museum displays a collection of rare spirits and books. This includes special books from the Prohibition era. It shows how cocktails have influenced bigger historical changes. It also highlights their role in social history. The museum has offered tastings linked to specific events and classes. While it's not a bar itself, the museum is connected to a bar and restaurant. This place shows how many classic cocktails are made.
The "Olives" Awards
Each year, the Museum of the American Cocktail gives out the American Cocktail Awards. These awards are often called the "Olives." They are presented with the United States Bartenders Guild. The awards celebrate great bars and people. They recognize the best recipes for pre-dinner cocktails. They also honor how well these drinks are made. Plus, they celebrate the best overall cocktail menus.
See also
- List of food and beverage museums
