History of the Mixologist

• Using the term mixologist when referring to a bartender, says beverage expert Derek Brown, began in 1856. By 1862, bartender Jerry Thomas--acknowledged as the original mixologist--wrote the first "mixed drink preparation manual," according to the Museum of the American Cocktail website. It included 10 cocktail recipes, along with rules for bartenders. Brown's book became the template for many future cocktail recipe books.
  
  

The Birth of Cocktail

• The Sazerac--created in New Orleans in the 1830s---was originally thought to be the first cocktail. According to the Smithsonian website, the first reference to the cocktail actually appeared in 1806 in a Hudson, NY, newspaper. The ingredients included spirits, bitters and water. The original cocktails of the 19th century all contained bitters---an ingredient used in only a few modern drinks, like the Old Fashioned and the champagne cocktail.
  
  

Classic and Modern Cocktails

• Basic mixology requires the ability to make classic cocktails like martinis. Recipes vary slightly, but the main ingredients remain the same. Gin or vodka with a hint of dry vermouth are mixed with ice---then garnished with an olive or lemon twist for the classic martini. You can have your martini over ice (on the rocks) or up (cold, but no ice). For the modern martini, starting with gin or vodka is the only requirement---flavors range from blue cheese to chocolate.
  
  

Molecular Mixology

• Inspired by the new molecular gastronomy---chefs taking chemistry class into the kitchen---bartenders now create innovative cocktails using similar techniques. These bar chefs are raising mixology to the next level. One of the originators of molecular gastronomy, Spanish chef Ferran Adria, was the first to experiment with molecular cocktails, according to the New York Times. Using nitrous oxide to change juice into foam---one of Adria's innovations---has become a staple behind the bar.
  
  

Mixologist Versus Bartender

• The terms mixologist and mixology are not without controversy in the bartending community. The words seem pretentious to some people. New York City bartender Jim Meehan, in "Bartender Magazine says, "a mixologist serves drinks and a bartender serves people. Many of my favorite bartenders can't make a drink and some of America's best mixologists can't carry on a conversation." But both still practice the art of mixology.