Shaken & Stirred

The Town Crier Bell Cocktail Shaker

2011-04-01T07:03:00.002-07:00

Well it has been a while since I have put up a new post. After moving to Tucson and getting a new job my life has been rather hectic and I have been remiss in my updates. So now I am going to try to get back on track. So here we go...

Just the other day a friend of mine and fellow "Cocktailian" *Philip Greene asked me about the origin of the Bell Cocktail Shaker. As I actually own several of these I realized that I had never really studied the origin. Well it was a good excuse to do some research. Then after doing that, I thought it would also make a good blog post.

Being one of the more fun styles of shaker it was advertised using the catch phrase "Ringing in Good Times". I can not argue with that! I feel that one of the most fun aspects of the shaker is, when empty, they do actually ring like a bell. Unfortunately many of you may find that they have lost their clappers and are now a silent reminder of past fun times. (The clapper can be replaced)
So on to the shakers history...

The patent, Above is for the most common form of the bell shaken. The "Town Crier Bell Shaker" was patented in 1937 by Bruce De Montmorency for the National Silver Deposit Ware Co. There are at least six different Bell Shakers that I found in my research. I know one was made by the Keystone Silver Co. It is one of the few that has any markings and is the one with the pour spout on the body of the bell. That shaker is pictured here on the left. I am sure that the most common Town Crier was made by National Silver. There is a silver plated version with a wooden handle from England and also a silver played version from Scotland with a silver plated handle made by Edwards & Sons Glasgow. There is also a version made by the Asprey Co. of England that also has silver plated handle and is very similar to the Scottish version. The last that I am now trying to attribute to some one is the version that has a sort of valve mechanism at the end of the handle that is twisted to open an close for dispensing. It is also the version that is most commonly seen with the bell shaped cups. Cherub Antiques says that it is a mid 50's design but I do not know how they conclude that. All of the other bell shakers were originally made in the thirties.

So here I am after an exhausting hour and a half of research to be stumped by one little shaker.

So if anyone out there can shine some light on this shaker I will gladly give credit and toast you with a cocktail "Rang Up" in one of these vintage shakers.

Oh by the way...I will be at Tales of the Cocktail again this year on the panel moderated by Dale Degroff for the seminar Cool Bar Tools, Past, Present and Future. This event will be held at the Museum of the American Cocktail July 20th from 3pm to 4:30pm. After the Seminar, Mark Bigler of Cocktail Shakers.com , a couple of other collectors and of coarse myself will be holding a sort of Vintage Bar Ware Roadshow where we will appraise your vintage shakers and bar tools. Hope to see you there and for more info check out the link above.

*Philip Greene is a freelance writer, historian and consultant, is a founding member of the Museum of the American Cocktail, for which he also serves as treasurer and legal counsel. Philip is a descendant of the Peychaud family of New Orleans, and among his ancestors was Antoine Peychaud, the 19th century pharmacist who created Peychaud's Bitters and New Orleans' classic cocktail, the Sazerac.

SWIZZLE STICKS: THE STIRRING STORY

2010-10-10T12:17:00.009-07:00

This is rather a long post for a blog but it is for a very good cause. The accompanying article below was written by Stephen Visakay & Maddy Lederman. They wanted me to post this to help a friend in Florida. Below is her story. What we hope is to get the word out and maybe some one can help by taking her up on her offer.

My mother passed away eleven years ago and left me a most unusual 40-year collection of thousands and thousands of plastic swizzle sticks from all over the world. My daughter, the mother of three children (10, 6, and nine months), has fallen upon hard economic times and has no vehicle to transport her children, or search for a job. I am not asking for charity. However, in the interest of my grandchildren, I would like to trade my Mom's special collection for a safe, reliable vehicle for my daughter and grand kids. A recent article in the L.A. Times about the history of Swizzle Sticks prompted me to write this, and perhaps there will be some interest in my collection due to Mad Men on TV--they are the hot new retro collectible. I need help getting my daughter back on track, and I believe my mom would be pleased to know her treasured collection went to help the three great-grandchildren she has never met.
Please call or write me if you wish additional information, and thank you for your time.
Connie Mayer
blondee352@comcast.net
North Fort Myers, Florida

Now own to Steve & Maddy's article...

“The difficulty of securing a cherry resting at the bottom of a cocktail glass without resorting to boorish antics obnoxious to people accustomed to polite social usages is so well known as to have become a matter of public comment and jest.”
--Jay Sindler

In his three-page patent copy, Jay Sindler used the cherry to describe how necessary his new invention, the Swizzle Stick, was, but legend has it the idea was sparked by an olive.

It was February 1934, a few months after Prohibition had ended. Sindler, an employee of the Converse Rubber Company and an avid inventor, sat contemplating his martini at the Boston Ritz Carlton’s bar one night, faced with the challenge of removing his olive without dipping his fingers into his gin. I like to think Sindler was on his second or third martini when it all came together. He envisioned a small spear with a paddle-like handle, imprinted with an establishment's name like a miniature billboard. It would be something the patrons could take home, cheaper than a book of printed matches and cheaper still than the cost of vanishing ashtrays and cocktail glasses. Sindler’s patent, number 1,991,871, was granted on February 19, 1935. Polite society caught on to Sindler’s invention and his new company Spir-it was off to a promising start.

There was some competition, however. With Repeal, all the great glass companies began to manufacture bar ware. Stirring rods once used by 1920’s Flappers were now mass-produced. Unlike the swizzle stick, glass swizzles didn’t have a pointed spear for fruit garnishes and were costly to silk-screen with a hotel logo. Some glass companies had the novel idea of inserting a tube of paper with advertising copy into a glass rod and sealing the end like a message in a bottle, but costly and impractical, this didn't last. Today this type of hollow (and easily broken) stirrer is one of the most sought after by collectors. Other attractive materials include Bakelite and Catalin.

Major developments in plastic manufacturing came along with World War II. By the 1950’s swizzle sticks came in an incredible array of shapes and colors and served as inexpensive advertisements for clubs, casinos, restaurants and airlines. All establishments had a custom swizzle stick even if they made do with the cheaper, stock version; a straight, tapered rod with a paddle signboard imprinted with a tavern’s logo.

Into the 1960's and the Space Age, there was a boom in the electronics industries calling for precision plastic parts which led to new technologies in thermosetting plastic injection molding. The period from the late 1950’s throughout the 1960’s was a Golden Age for signature swizzle sticks.

Drinks served on TWA flights sported a red propeller swizzle. At Trader Vic’s, a Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddle with a Tiki God handle graced the drinks at the venerable bar. The Thunderbird Hotel and Swim Club in Miami Beach featured a Flying Thunderbird on top of it's swizzle with the name in large script over the shaft. Playboy’s signature bunny-head sat atop their swizzles which, for some reason, were extra long. Many people saved the Playboy swizzle if they ever came across it. In fact, most of us have a few swizzle sticks saved somewhere. Taking a swizzle as a memento was encouraged. They were a promotional calling card or a remembrance of a wonderful trip or night on the town and they disappeared from nightclubs and hotel bars as fast as they were set out.
The swizzle sticks' popularity didn't last forever or even very far into the 1970's. For example, during the Carter years, the White House was dry. It was beer and wine only at State functions, no doubt the reason why Jimmy was a one term President. When he derided the “fifty dollar martini lunch” for businessmen, former House Speaker Jim Wright (D-TX), replied, “If the Good Lord hadn’t intended us to have a three martini lunch, then why do you suppose He put all those olive trees in the Holy Land?”
Inventor Jay Sindler would have agreed. ©

SIDE BAR
Check out clubs such as the International Swizzle Stick Collectors Association (ISSCA), www.swizzlesticks-issca.com.
ISSCA President Ray Hoare and thousands of collectors world-wide, sociologists and anthropologists agree that these miniature, pop-culture icons give us an inside look at the past and are a valued collectible worth saving for future generations. And besides, they can still be used to stir your favorite drink.
If you’re looking for swizzles for your next party ask your parents, they probably have a box full somewhere. Or you can purchase swizzle sticks from the company started by Jay Sindler, they’re still in business. Spirit Foodservice, Inc has a fantastic web site with eco-friendly and biodegradable options. Marketing Manager Rachel Pantely tells us that swizzles are hotter than ever with the increased interest in retro cocktails. www.spiritfoodservice.com

Stephen Visakay is author of Vintage Bar Ware (Collector Books 1997) and has written for antique, collectible, and trade magazines. His cocktail shaker exhibition, “Shaken, Not Stirred, Cocktail Shakers and Design” has been featured in museums nationwide, including The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, The Louisiana State Museum, and The Milwaukee Art Museum.

Contact: visakay@optonline.net
www.visakay.com

Maddy Lederman is a writer and a filmmaker with offices in Palm Desert, CA and Park Slope, NYC. Email, maddyfilms@hotmail.com

Also here is a link to Steve's article in the LA Times-Swizzle Sticks Make a New Stir

The Black Peppercorn Martini

2010-04-11T08:46:00.021-07:00

OK...OK... before you even start on me... I know a Martini is only Gin, Vermouth, & an Olive or Lemon Twist. I got that, but this little twist adds a new depth of flavor that might just surprise you and still let me get away with calling it a Martini.
Now with that out of the way, let me get on to the recipe...

INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 ounces Hendrick's Gin
1/2 ounce dry vermouth
1/4 to 1/2 ounce Black Peppercorn Syrup (See Recipe Below)
Ice

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and stir well to chill. Strain and Serve!

I found this recipe on the web and being a huge fan of black pepper for cooking I had to give it a try. I tried this cocktail with very dry, less perfumed gin, but Hendrick’s worked so well because of its moderate juniper and floral flavors. You might also see that I said 1/4 to 1/2 ounce of the Black Peppercorn Syrup. That is simply because for some people 1/2 ounce just kills the dryness of the Martini. So experiment and you can make these to your & your guest preferences.

The Black Pepper syrup is made by combing...

1 1/2 cups water,
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon whole Tellicherry black peppercorns
1 tablespoon cracked Malabar black peppercorns

Simmer all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved.
Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to bring mixture to a simmer; cook for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
Strain the cooled syrup and refrigerate it in a container with a tight fitting lid.

Now you might ask..."Were in the world would I find Tellicherry & Malabar peppercorns?" Well I can highly recomend Flavorbank.com. Some times you might be able to find these at your local "Mega-Mart" or specialty food stores but, they will never match the quality of the Flavorbank spices in any way. You can also learn about their origins and what makes different in flavors and aroma.

Jennifer English (Owner of Flavorbank) has put together a collection of the finest Peppercorns, Sea Salts, & Spices from around the world. So you can not go wrong there.

I hope you will give this recipe a try. I might even being making some of these for "The History of Bar Tools & Bare Ware from the 1800's to Today" at Tales of the Cocktail in July.

Cheers everyone and Happy Shaking...

Going Back to Tales of the Cocktail

2010-03-13T08:42:00.006-07:00

Well I just wanted to invite everyone to the 8th annual Tales of the Cocktail in July. At this years Tales I will be moderatoring The History of Bar Tools & Bar Ware from the 1800s to Today.
Everyone knows that mixologists and cocktail historians are passionate about their tools and collectibles. Come view some of the most interesting specimens at this symposium on Shakers & Barware. You'll learn about their rich history while enjoying some delicious cocktails. We will demonstrate some of the more eccentric makers and their products including spoons, strainers, shakers, corkscrews, bottle openers, soda siphons, and glassware. The talks will be accompanied by various pieces of bar ware from numerous collections, patents from the 1880's, the prohibition era, and even some modern ones. Learn about the mixologists who used these items and how they improved upon many of them. You'll come away with a new appreciation for the role that bar ware has played and continues to play in the evolution of the cocktail.
I Can't tell you how excited I am about this because this year it is going to be huge! The event is being held at The Museum of the American Cocktail on Wednesday July 21st from 3:00 to 4:30. We have assembled a great panel consisting Mark Bigler (aka Mr Big) of CocktailShakers.com, Michael Silvers Owner and Founder of Uber Bar Tools, and last but by no means least...Dale DeGroff. Of coarse many of you already know Dale as one the most preeminent mixologist in the world, cocktail book author, cocktail trainer, ect...ect. Just check out his website for more info. Kingcocktail.com
We are also very excited to have Henrick's Gin as a sponsor. Dale will be Shaking & Stirring up some wonderful Hendrick's cocktails. That is worth the price of admission alone!
Also Dale's charming & beautiful wife Jill DeGroff will be there to sign copies of her new book Lush Life; Portrairts from the Bar . There will be copies copies available at the museum or or you can go online and get a copy to bring with you.

We will also be raffling off hundreds of dollars worth of vintage bare ware & tools.

So mark your calenders and plan on attending Tales of the Cocktail. For more information just go to Tales of the Cocktail.

WOW Collectabledetective.com is Great

2009-08-20T05:26:00.007-07:00

As a Bar Ware & Cocktail Shaker collector I'm always looking for new sources to find the stuff I'm looking for. The owner of this site collectibledetective.com actually found me through this blog & as I have said before..."It was all over". If you are a collector of anything this is what you are looking for! I have already spent Way Too Much Time there...LOL. There are literally thousands of links to every kind of antique or collectible you ever thought of. Like I said it's great.

So just click on link to go straight to Bar Ware. There are links to the Main page from there.

Have fun hunting & Cheers...

New Video from the Vintage Bar Ware Collectors Symposium

2009-08-07T10:33:00.004-07:00

I just received this video from Lindsey Johnson of The Lush Life. It's Steve Visakay, Mark Bigler, and myself talking about cocktail shakers and The Museum of the American Cocktail.
The video also features Dale DeGroff & Chris McMillian.
What a great time we had that day. Drinking Cointreau Cocktails and talking about Cocktail Shakers...

Vintage Shakers Symposium at MOTAC from Lush Life on Vimeo.

Lindsey and her staff did a wonderful job with this and I would like to say Thank You.
Well, I Hope everyone enjoys...Cheers!

Two Weeks after Tales of the Cocktail

2009-07-24T11:47:00.012-07:00

Well it has been almost two weeks since Tales and I believe I have fully recovered.

The Vintage Bar Collectors Symposium went off without a hitch. We gave away bunches of cocktail shakers and bar ware. Well over the advertised $1000 worth.

There were collectors from all over the United States as well as a couple of foreign guest. It was a truly amazing time.

Stephen Visakay, Mark Bigler & myself gave our talks from behind a bar that was made in the mid 1800s. It was rescued from Lake Pontchartrain and is currently being restored for perminate display at The Museum of the American Cocktail.

Also, who knew that Cointreau and Peach Snapple would make a very tasty and refreshing cocktail.
They call it the Cointreau Kiss. There Slogan is Kiss & Tell.

It is very simple cocktail to make...1 1/2 oz Cointreau, 3 oz Peach Snapple.
Pour the Peach Snapple in a tall glass with ice and pour the Cointreau on top. How simple is that?

In days following our Symposium I attended several seminars like the History of Saloons in America with H. Joseph Ehrmann, David Wondrich, and John Burton. What many people don't understand about Tales is that it is not just a 5 day drinking fest. Oh don't get me wrong, plenty of cocktails are consumed but there is so much knowledge to gained at the same time from some of best and brightest mixologist and authors from around the world. Another example would be the seminar Cognac, from Vines to Shaker which gave a history of Cognac and explained some of the French laws that dictate how it is produced. That is one of the reasons Cognac is more expensive is because of government regulation.

Between seminars and all of the good food in the French Quarter, I tried to get some more Frequent Rider Miles at the Carousel Bar. Hey, if they served Vieux Carre cocktails on the Merry Go Round at the State Fair, I would ride it for days!
Well I guess I'm going to wrap this up for now, before I totally bore everyone to death. I just want everyone to think about attending Tales of the Cocktail next Year. It is an unbelivable time and you will not regret it....

Cheers

Tales of the Cocktail & The Vintage Bar Ware Collectors Symposium

2009-07-03T07:07:00.005-07:00

Well, it is only a few days until the 7th annual Tales of the Cocktail kicks off in New Orleans and I can hardly wait!

As I have talked about earlier, I will be on the panel of The Vintage Bar Ware Collectors Symposium along with Stephen Visakay and Mark Bigler.
The event is being held at The Museum of the American Cocktail on Wednesday the 8th at 4:30. Mark your calender. This is one not to be missed.
http://www.museumoftheamericancocktail.org/

We got very lucky this year to have Cointreau, the legendary orange liqueur, on board to showcase their new, simple but inventive, lip-smacking libation - the Cointreau Kiss. On behalf of every guest who tries a Cointreau Kiss, Cointreau will make a monetary donation to the Museum*. So, after the talks by Stephen, Mark and myself & while showing off your vintage items and getting appraisals, pucker up and have a Kiss!

The guys at the museum are calling this "The Cocktail Shaker Roadshow"

We will be giving away over $1000 in Bar Ware. Everything from cocktail shakers to vintage Napier shot devises. Below is just a couple that I am putting up. We will aslo have an amazing collection of shakers on hand to view.

Also tomorrow I will be on "The Straight Pour" with Ann & Paul Tuennerman and a whole host of other guest, talking about cocktails, cocktail shakers and of coarse Tales of the Cocktail. So I hope you can tune in Saturday 7/14/09 at 10:00 am to to listen. You can get the streaming program at http://www.wistradio.com/page.php?page_id=8069

So I hope everyone can join us Saturday for The Straight Pour & next week for Tales of the Cocktail.

Imagine me...Writing about Cocktails...

2009-06-09T15:56:00.004-07:00

Well it has been a couple weeks since I put any thing up. So I thought it was about time. I been a little busy though because I have a new position. I am now the Dallas Cocktail Examiner for the online magazine Examiner .com.
Here is a link to my page http://www.examiner.com/x-12183-Dallas-Cocktails-Examiner

How did stumble on to this you ask? Well, as I am now unemployed, I do daily searches for job possibilities and one site, Craig's List, I found a posting for a writing job. I applied and look were I am now! A Cocktail writer...
It has been a lot of fun so far and I'm starting to get into the swing of this gig.

I hope my fans from this blog (both of you...LOL) will check out my articles and give me some feedback and ideas for new post.

Oh by the way, if you are going to be Tales of the Cocktail, drop me a note. Maybe I will do some interviews with attendees & participants. It will be fun!

Cheers & Happy Shaking...

Bombay Sapphire Holiday Glasses Revisted...

2009-05-10T06:56:00.008-07:00

Well over the past couple of months, since I ran the post asking for help to date my collection of Bombay Holiday Glasses, I have had several people step forward to clarify several of the dates. One of these, I consider to be an expert since his company manufactured seven of the glasses since 2001. Peter Sciacca of 1 Source Signature Glassware Inc. sent me this picture that I assume is from there catalog.

There is only one I slightly disagree with and that would be the 2002 glass. I believe it is the twisted square stem. I got that one 2002. I also got another one, with Bombay Sapphire, printed on the stem in 2007 at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans at a Bombay Sapphire demonstration. When I asked Peter about this he did say that some sets use other glasses in VAP (Value Added Packaging). He believes they were made by Libby glass and was very quick to point out that 1 Sources glass is mouth blown, the Libbey glass is machine made and perhaps painted and that 1 Sources glass is colored with light cobalt sand.

Also you should really check out the 1 Source websites. They have some amazing glass ware. http://www.1sourceinc.com/ & http://www.disciacca.com/Default.aspx

Below is my collection that has now been updated... In conclusion I would like to thank every one that left comments and shared their knowledge. Sharing info with others is one of the things that keeps collecting fun.

Speaking of sharing knowledge...Be sure to check out Tales of the Cocktail. I will there again this at the Vintage Bar Ware Collectors Symposium along with Stephen Visakay & Mark Bigler. We will be talking about the histories of Norma Bel Geddes, designer of the Manhattan Cocktail Shaker, The Napier Company, & the Zeppelin Cocktail Shaker. You will also be able to see and touch these shakers and many others that we will be bring to the event. We will also be raffling off over $1000 in bar ware & cocktail shakers from our personal collections. Of coarse will also be serving up a couple of cocktails. It is being held at The Museum of the American Cocktail. There are links on the right side to both Tales & the Museum. Admission to the Symposium also gets you in the Museum where Ted Haige (aka) Dr. Cocktail has put together a one-of-a-kind museum covering the history the cocktail in America.

Hope to see you there...

Tales of the Cocktail & the Vintage Bar Ware Collectors Symposium

2009-01-18T13:41:00.043-07:00

As many people know or may just be finding out the 7th Annual Tales of the Cocktail will be held in New Orleans from July 8th thru the 12th. I am honored to again be a part of this event. I will be on the panel of the Vintage Bar Ware Collectors Symposium. Hosting this event will be Stephen Visakay, author of Vintage Bar Ware, and along with Mark Bigler of www.CocktailShakers.com, we are going to talk about cocktail shakers, bar ware and of coarse cocktails. There will also be some some the top collectors from around the world. I am trying to take this event to new levels this year so I'm asking for your help. I am taking a pole on the top 10 collectible cocktail shakers. The ones below may not THE top 10 but it will give you a good start. If this all works out these shakers will be at our event. Yes, live and in person. To see, touch & hold (Maybe). The owners will be there to talk to about them also. So let the voting begin. Just leave a comment with your list...Thanks!

Above left is the Famous Manhattan set designed by Norman Bel Geddes and produced by Revere Copper & Brass Co. 1936.

Above on the right is the Golf Bag shaker from Derby Silver Plate Co. a division of International Silver. It was produced from 1925 to 1930.

Everyone should know this well dressed little fellow. The Penguin shaker by Napier from the 1930's.

On the right...Do you think it's time for a cocktail? Well I do if your shaking with the Maxwell Phillips Hourglass shaker made in the 1930's.

On the left is one of my favorite shakers. It is the Bubble set made by the Faber Co. in the 1930's unique & deco all in one.

On the right are the Zeppelins that are probably modeled after the Graf zeppelin. Made in the 1930's in Germany.

On the left is the Master In-Color shaker from England. Its Bakelite body makes it unique with silver trim and a rotating recipe top. It was made in the 1930s.

On the right is the wonderful "Shake a Leg" shaker made by West Virgina Specialty Glass Co. in 1937.

On the left is the 1938 Sheridan Empire Shaker made by the Revere copper & Brass Co. It is the pinnacle of art deco.

And last but not least is the beautiful Wallace Brothers silver plated rooster from 1928.

Well what is a Cocktail anyway?

I hope to get a lot of responses so I know who to bring to this party. That being Tales of the Cocktail.

See Ya there...

http://www.talesofthecocktail.com

The Pink Elephant

2009-01-07T09:29:00.029-07:00

The other day I got to wondering, what was the history of the Pink Elephant. This being an appropriate thought just following New Years. As a Bar Ware and Shaker collector I see this image everywhere and just got to wondering.
I started my research with Wikipedia and here is what they had to say: "Seeing pink elephants", a euphemism for drunken hallucination. You can follow the link above to Wikipedia.
There's something about an Elephant, but it's unclear why pink elephants have been associated with drinking for a number of decades, but they are one of the more consistent images. One reference to seeing pink elephants and pink spiders as a drinking hallucination, attributed to the 1890s. In 1913 Jack London wrote in "John Barleycorn": "There are, broadly speaking, two types of drinkers. There is the man whom we all know, stupid, unimaginative, whose brain is bitten numbly by numb maggots; who walks generously with wide-spread, tentative legs, falls frequently in the gutter, and who sees, in the extremity of his ecstasy, blue mice and pink elephants. He is the type that gives rise to the jokes in funny papers."
For some reason, pink elephants were the most popular image for drinking during several decades, beginning in the '40s. Actually as you see above it started much earlier.
This image has sprung up all over the place in its history with Cocktail Shakers, Napkins, Coasters, Trays or just about anything else you can associate with drinking. There are even Pink Elephant Jokes.Guy Lombardo had a popular hit with the song in 1932 "Pink Elephants" composed by Mort Dixon and Harry Woods.
Pink elephants on the table.
Pink elephants on the chair.
Pink elephants on the ceiling,
Pink elephants ev'rywhere.
Now I'm through making whoopee, I raised my hand and swore
That I never intend to see those pink elephants any more.

Below Are the 1040s Dancing Pink Elephant (Left) Cocktail Shaker set and the 1950s recipe version (Right). Both of these were made by Hazel Atlas. Also pictured is a little Pink Elephant shot glass & a canape tray.
There is even a modern Version, pictured below. It is pretty easy to to find this shaker while the vintage shakers above are a little harder to find. While doing the research for this post I found numerous places to buy both. Check out http://cocktailshakers.com/ This is Mark Bigler's website of shakers he has for sale. He has a couple of Pink Elephant pieces for sale.
Then everyone should remember The Pink Elephant Dance from Dumbo. Check it out on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nwNPaYoTY8
While you're watching the video you might want to sip a Pink Elephant Cocktail:

1/4 oc of Vodka

3/4 oc of Galliano

3/4 oc of Creme de Noyaux (Or Almond liqueur)

3/4 oc of Orange Juice

3/4 oc of Cream

Dash of Grenadine

Stir in mixing glass half filled with cracked ice and strain into 5 ounce champagne glass.

Well I guess that's about it for now on Pink Elephants. As you can see "They are Ev'rywehere"

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2008-12-20T12:24:00.002-07:00

Just wanted to Wish All a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sobieski - Expensive VS. Just Good

2008-11-15T08:33:00.010-07:00

As they ask in one of their press releases, "What is the difference between a $30 bottle of Premium vodka & a $15 bottle of Good vodka? $15.00". This is were Sobieski comes into the picture. This is a premium rye based vodka that is made with all the same techniques of the expensive premium vodkas. (Except maybe it not filtered through Diamonds...LOL) It also has a very clean and refreshing taste like the expensive premium vodkas.

It is probably unknown to most, vodkas were originally, all rye or grain based. Sobieski is made from Golden Dankowski Rye and naturally filtered water from Polish aquifers thousands of feet deep. It is distilled continuously until it reaches exceptional purity & quality.

The elegant bottle is also simple, which helps keep there cost down. Sobieski is the leading premium vodka in Poland and I give it a "Two Thumbs Up" and suggest you try a bottle as soon as you can.

For more interesting facts about Sobieski and vodka you can also visit their website http://www.vodkasobieski.com/

The Woes of Shaker Identification

2008-11-15T05:53:00.008-07:00

Today I'm going to deal with shaker identification issues. Some times you will find it is very easy to identify shakers and bar ware because the pieces have makers marks. Some show up in catalogs or ads. Then some you just have no idea at all. The two shakers, pictured on the right, are great examples of identification woes.

Although they look almost identical they are not. The shaker with white print is a little taller and the bottom is thicker. It is a slightly different body shape. The shaker on the right with red print is probably made by Hazel Atlas. It is identical to known Hazel Atlas shakers. This means that these shakers came from different molds. Hazel also did a lot of printing on glass. Which is identical on both shakers other than color. So what does that mean. I personally believe that who ever made the white printed shaker had Hazel print it for them. Who "they" are is still unknown. I found the shaker on the right in an identification book for depression glass and the author says it was made by West Virginia Specialty Glass. He got his info from a glass collector but, I do not believe that is correct. West Virginia Specialty Glass made very ornate and unusual glass ware such as the Ladies Leg shaker and Dumbbell shakers. When I bought the red one, the dealer said it was made by the Derby Shelton Silver Co. There is a patent mark in the top for them. The problem is there is no record of a Derby Shelton Silver Co. Also the patent was granted to R. R. Luben.

So as you can see from just these two shakers identification is a sketchy business at best.
So to help fill in space now here are couple of recipes from these shakers..,

Metropolitan

1/2 Cognac

2 Drops Angostura

1/2 French Vermouth

2 Dashes Sugar Syrup

Ice

Saratoga

1/3 Apple Jack

1/3 Italian Vermouth

1/3 Dubonnet

2 Dashes Orange

Ice

Well I hope you have enjoyed this slight trip into the head aches of collecting. Now I think I'm going to go make myself a Saratoga.

Veev - A New Way to Think About Cocktails

2008-10-21T06:52:00.008-07:00

I recently received a bottle of Veev Acai Liquor to review. Being made from the Acai Berry (Pronounced ah-SIGH-ee) I was immediately interested. The Acai berry is being hailed as the new "Super Food" and I thought, "Wow, healthy Booze...".
Upon opening and pouring a small shot, I noticed a nose of fruit and freshness. The taste is unlike any other liquor I have tried. Having a lower alcohol content it is not as harsh as clear liquors such as vodka. It can be enjoyed chilled straight up but, I believe its real value is as a cocktail ingredient. It adds a new twist to several classics. It works very well with gin, vodka, and fruit liquors.
Veev also prides itself on being a VERY GREEN Company. They donate money to the rain forest and use energy efficient distilling. All of their packaging and bottles are made fron recycled materials.
After visiting their website http://www.veevlife.com/ I was impressed by the amount of info there. Be sure and check it out.
Below is a recipe from there site they do have a lot more that I'm looking forward to playing with.

This is from Duggan McDonnell of Cantina in San Francisco

1.5 oz VeeV, 1.0 oz Beleza Pura Cachaca, crushed mint, ginger, lemon, agave nectar, and ginseng drizzle

Muddle the mint and ginger then combine 1.5 oz VeeV, 1.0 Beleza Pura Cachaca, the juice of a lemon, a touch of agave nectar and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake. Strain into cocktail glass, and squeeze an orange peel over the drink. Next, make a reverse \'boat\' with the peel, drop in pith side up, and squeeze a few drops of ginseng into the boat.

On closing I must say that with all the positives of Veev how can you go wrong. I hope you get some good info from this little post. Go get a bottle Veev and enjoy.

Bombay Sapphire Holiday Glasses

2008-10-18T14:31:00.025-07:00

I assume most everyone has heard of and probably tried Bombay Sapphire Gin. It is a wonderful gin and one of my favorites. Most of you probably also know that every year around the holidays they package a bottle of Bombay with a designer cocktail glass.
I have been collecting Bombay Sapphire Holiday glasses for 8 years now. I also have a bunch of other Bombay stuff.
Recently I made another purchase of a Bombay glass (to fill a hole) and the seller asked if I had a definitive list of the glasses and the dates they came out. Well I did not. So I spent the next two days digging around Google trying to find some answers. I had totally no luck. Oh maybe I did confirm a couple of dates but overall no.

So now I'm reaching out to the Cocktail Community to try and get some answers.

Below I have pictured what I have and what I know. It starts with, what I'm told, is the original by Ulla Darni in 1994 and the date is on the bottom so I'm pretty sure that is correct. The Richard Jolie 1996 I believe to be correct. The Patricia Heller 1999 is also marked and is probably wright. I also believe that the 2002 was repeated in 2003. I am confidant in the 2006 & 2007 glasses. (Even I can remember buying those). The 2007 Promo was handed out at Tales in 2007. The original of that shape 2002-2003 did not have Bombay Sapphire printed on the stem. Also you will notice I'm missing 2001. This why I need help. I'm not at all Positive about the dates of the earlier glasses. If you click on the picture it will give you an enlarged version that much more readable.
So if you can help please email me martiniworld1@verizon.net or my contact in blogger.

Here are a couple of other pics of my Bombay collection.

So again I ask if can be of any help please let me know and I will disseminate this info across the web to other collectors.

So in advance...Thanks for all of your help.

Toulouse Lautrec - Mixologist?

2008-10-05T06:35:00.002-07:00

I love trivia and this is just a little bit of historical trivia that I found. Who knew that Toulouse Lautrec was quite the amature chef & mixologist. When he was in Paris, his family would send him a weekly crate from the south of France filled with ingredients they'd shot or trapped or fished. The opening of this tuck-box was one of Lautrec's greatest weekly pleasures and every Friday he would invite his friends over and cook for them. Preserved in the Musée Lautrec in Albi are some of the menus he drew for these notorious dinner parties. As the recipes grew more and more ambitious, so they took longer and longer to prepare, leaving more and more time for cocktails. And it wasn't only fine wines they consumed. Lautrec was one of the first Frenchmen to develop a taste for American cocktails. He'd mix them in a shaker he'd had specially made, and would take great pleasure in inventing new drinks and giving them terrifying names. His most notorious cocktail he called The Earthquake, which consisted of four parts absinthe to two parts red wine with a splash of cognac. I would really love to see that shaker.
The poster at the top is showing Gentlemen at the Irish & American Bar in France. Notice the bartender using, what appears to be, two glasses as a cocktail shaker.

Luxury Experience Magazine artical on Tales...

2008-10-02T06:59:00.020-07:00

My friends at Luxury Experience Magazine have devoted their October issue to the 2007 Tales of The Cocktail. Debra and Ed do a wonderful job with this rather impressive On-Line magazine.
(that's them above right)
If you have never read this mag you need to go NOW! Here is the link http://luxuryexperience.com/
Not only are there very informed articles on food & drink from around the world, they also always include beautiful photography to highlight and help make your Experience more enjoyable. This magazine goes above and beyond also to include Music, Art, and numerous other topics. Another great point to bring up is, Luxury Experience is FREE! Just sign up and your in on the fun.

I also included a couple pics from The 1st International Symposium of Cocktail Shaker Collectors held at Tales this year.
(That me on the left talking about recipe cocktail shakers)

On the right are a couple of the shakers displayed during the talk.

I hope you will Check Out Luxury Experience & also hope to see you Next year at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. Next year it will be held from July 8th through July 12th. I have also included a link to their website. http://www.talesofthecocktail.com/corporate/index.html
Go check it out! I highly recommend this festival, especially if you enjoy Great Cocktails, Great Food, and Tons of Fun!

Recipe Cocktail Shakers from The Napier Co.

2008-08-05T07:32:00.093-07:00

In this post I will be talking about Napier's recipe cocktail shakers. I'm starting this off with a little history on the company, so here it is.
The Napier Company was named after its president, James H. Napier, who led the company from 1920 to 1960. But the company's history can be tracked back to 1875 when it was founded as Whitney and Rice in Attleboro, Mass., manufacturing silver products. The firm changed hands and name in 1882 and became Carpenter and Bliss and shortly thereafter, E.A. Bliss and Co., Inc. After rapid expansion in the late 1880s the company moved to Meriden, CT in 1890. After WWI, the firm shifted emphasis from silver products to production of modern jewelry. James Napier became president in 1920 and the company adopted the name Napier - Bliss Co. In 1922, the name was changed to Napier Company.
Like many jewerly companies they got into lines of art objects and other utilitarian objects like cocktail shakers. In the early to mid 1930s they produced several cocktail shakers and other pieces of barware.

The most famous being the Penguin Cocktail Shaker. It was patented in Oct. 1936 and pictured to the right.

Previous to that though was a shaker with a rotating top with recipes. The inventor was Harry A. Werful. The patent was filed for in Feb. 1933 and called it a "Drink Shaker". It shows a recipe for an "Orange Mint".

Orange Mint

1/2 Orange Juice

1/2 Mineral Water

Dash of Mint Essence

Sugar

Why you might ask? I assume that not refering to alcohol or cocktails made the process easier as Prohibition was not repealed until Dec. 1933.

In Sept. 1932 Le Roy H. Fontan applied for the patent for the "Tells-You-How" shaker. He referered to it as a "Drink Mixer or Cocktail Shaker". In Oct. of that year Fredrick W. Rettenmeyer applied for a patent for a "Cocktail Shaker". Niether of these patents were granted until Sept. of 1935.
The Rettenmeyer shaker has some simularities to the "Tells-You-How" but I don't believe it was ever produced.

As you can see Napier was quite busy in the shaker department. This only covers a fragment of Napier's products for the home bar though. There were measuring cups, spoons, ice buckets, and several other styles of cocktail shakers.
So I hope you have enjoyed this brief jaunt into The Napier Co.

Tales is Over...Let's Start Talking Shakers

2008-07-28T12:18:00.017-07:00

Well now that Tales of the Cocktail is over it is now time to start talking about Cocktail Shakers. So here we go...

The history of the Cocktail Shaker is an interesting journey. Here is what Stephen Visakay, author of Vintage Bar Ware has to say about that...

Antecedents of the cocktail shaker can be traced to 7000 BC in South America where the jar gourd was valued for its use as a closed container. Ancient Egyptians in 3500 BC knew that adding spices to their grain fermentations before serving made them more palatable. A forerunner of the cocktail? Well, archaeologists have yet to find a hieroglyphic list of cocktail recipes inside the Great Pyramid of Cheops. But we do know in 1520 Cortez wrote to King Charles V of Spain from the New World of a certain drink made from cacao, served to Montezuma with much reverence, frothy and foaming from a golden cylinder.
By the late 1800s, the bartender's shaker as we know it today had become a standard tool of the trade, invented by an innkeeper when pouring a drink back and forth to mix. Finding that the smaller mouth of one container fit into another, he held the two together and shook "for a bit of a show."
At the turn of the century, New York City hotels were serving the English custom of 5 o'clock tea and it was a short leap to the 5 o'clock cocktail hour with shakers manufactured for home use looking very much like teapots.
In the 1920s martinis were served from sterling silver shakers by high society while the less affluent made do with glass or nickel-plated devices. The Great War was over and sacrifice was replaced by a euphoria marked by party-going and a frenzied quest for pleasure. The mixed drink and cocktail shaker was powered by Prohibition. People who had never tasted a cocktail before were knocking on speakeasy doors. The outlaw culture had a powerful pull. Flappers with one foot on the brass rail ordered their choice of drinks with names like Between the Sheets, Fox Trot, and Zanzibar, liberated more by this act and smoking in public than by their new voting rights.
The International Silver Company produced shakers in the form of the Boston Lighthouse and golf bags, as well as, traditional shapes. There were rooster- and penguin-shaped shakers, and from Germany zeppelin and aeroplane shakers. Many of these shapes were not entirely capricious. The rooster, or "cock of the walk," for example, had long served as a symbol for tavern signs. The penguin with its natural "tuxedo" symbolized the good life. The Graf Zeppelin had become the first commercial aircraft to cross the Atlantic - an 111-hour non-stop flight that captured the attention of the world.
Such ingenious designs were all the rage, cocktail shaker skills and drink rituals were as important in the Jazz Age lifestyle as the latest dance steps. Colorful cocktails with sweet mixes stretched out the supply of illicit alcohol and helped disguise the taste of homemade hooch. While gin, easier to duplicate than rye or scotch, became the drink of choice and the martini society's favorite.
But the real popularity explosion of cocktail shakers occurred after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. Now they were featured frequently on the silver screen, shakers and accoutrements part of every movie set. Stars were constantly sipping cocktails when they weren't lighting each others' cigarettes, both de rigueur symbols of sophistication. Nick and Nora Charles, the delightfully sodden couple that poured their way through endless martinis in The Thin Man series, knew how to shake a drink with style, as did the tens of thousands of Americans who shook, swirled, and swilled cocktails by the shaker-full in the years following the repeal of Prohibition. Movie fans watched Fred and Ginger dance across the screen, cocktail glass in hand, and wanted their own symbol of the good life to shake themselves out of the Depression that gripped the country. The Art Deco movie set aesthetic was perfect for the Depression-driven cocktail shaker. To meet popular demand, machine age factories, geared for mass production, began turning them out in droves. Fashioned from the high-tech materials of the day, chrome-plated stainless steel shakers with Bakelite trim replaced those of sterling silver and were advertised as "non-tarnishing, no polishing needed." The great glass companies, such as Cambridge, Heisey, and Imperial, (on left) leaped into action. Stunning etched and silk-screened designs were created, often in brilliant hues of ruby or cobalt. Industrial design was at the height of popularity and superstar designers such as Russel Wright, Kem Weber, and Lurelle Guild created streamlined modern masterpieces, many in the shape of the new deity of architecture, the skyscraper. If there is a definitive classic it would have to be the sleek 1936 chrome-plated "Manhattan Skyscraper serving set" by master industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes, sought by collectors of today as the perfect mix of form and function.
By the end of the decade, shakers had become standard household objects, affordable to all. Every family had at least one shaker on the shelf. There were now cocktail shakers in the shape of bowling pins, dumbbells, town criers bells, and even in the shape of a lady's leg. The cocktail party had influenced fashion, furniture, and interior design. Coffee tables were now cocktail tables, and the little black dress, designed by Coco Chanel, went from fad to fashion, and is now an institution.
At the beginning of the 1940s, the Depression ended, but not in the way most had hoped. It ended on December 7, 1941. The golden era of the cocktail shaker was over, and America's involvement in World War II began. All metal went to the war effort. Companies that once made cocktail shakers, now made artillery shells. After the war, few thought of the shakers. We were in the atomic age, thinking of jet-propelled airplanes, a thing called television, and new cars with lots of chrome.
In the early 1950s, a brief renewal of interest in cocktail shakers occurred when new homes featuring finished basements, called "roc rooms," were equipped with bars. But the push-button age had taken the fun out of mixing drinks. Shakers came with battery-powered stirring devices. Worse yet, electric blenders became popular; drop in some ice, add the alcohol of your choice, a package of "redi-mix," flick a switch and.... Gone were the rites and rituals, the showmanship, the reward for effort. Small wonder, then, that these elegant stars of the 1930s were forced into retirement.
And there they sat - in attics and closets nationwide - waiting to be recalled to life. Over 50 years have passed now, and one can faintly hear the clink of ice cubes as shakers are, once again, a symbol of elegance.

I would like to thank Steve for his artical above and Mark Bigler for the wonderful pictures from his collection.

Coming soon will be posts on various cocktail shakers, their makers, and the histories.

Stay tuned and Keep on Shaking & Stirring...

Tales of the Cocktail...Bigger & Better in 2008

2008-07-22T08:20:00.017-07:00

I hope everyone will bear with me on my first ever blog posting. With that said, here we go...

After spending six days in New Orleans at Tales of the Cocktail, I must admit I'm sad it's over...but glad to be home. This was my fifth year at Tales and I can only say that it has grown exponentially! Wow, there were so many events and so many people it was almost over whelming. I got to see old friends, make new friends, (hopefully, made no enemies), and had the privilage to meet Cocktailians and Bloggers from all over the world. (I also logged around 200 Frequent Drinker Miles at the Carousel Bar. Shouldn't we be able to cash those in at the Montleone for room credit or something?)

If you have never attended Tales of the Cocktail, you have no idea what you have missed. Of coarse, being held in New Orleans, starts it off on the right foot. The hospitality of this city is of World Class! Everyone should be familiar with the history of the city which lends itself to the event of Tales perfectly.

This years Tales hosted many new events which helped to make it an even more memorable event for me. This also means that many new faces of professionals were in attendance. The list of master mixologist in attendance this year was the largest ever. That being said the list of various cocktails was also probably the largest. (I made a weak attempt to try as many as possible. My liver is on strike this week). The list of mixologist that included Dave Wondrich, Dale Degroff, Tony Abou-Ganim, The Fabulous Shaker Boys, Audrey Saunders, Chris McMillian, Natalie Bovis-Nelson, ect, ect, ect, was just mind boggling.
There was also an extensive list of the Movers & Shakers of the Food & Beverage industries. For a more complete list see the Tales site at the link on the bottom of this post.

At this time I have to give major kudos to Ann Tuennerman, (Founder of Tales) who one more time put together one of the greatest events in this country. Ann, keep up the great work and I'm looking forward to seeing you next year.

This year I had the great fortune to be asked by Steven Visakay, author of Vintage Bar Ware, to co-host The 1st International Symposium of Cocktail Shaker Collectors held on Wednesday. Along with fellow collector Mark Biggler, and The Fabulous Shaker Boys who were shaking some wonderful cocktails, (the recipes are below) we had one hell of a good time.

I would also like to thank our sponsor, Sonnema Vodkaherb. http://www.sonnema.com/sonnema.html What a Great Vodka that is!

Steve spoke on the history of shakers. I spoke on the history of collecting and recipe cocktail shakers. Mark talked about were to still find good deals on shakers and the care and cleaning of shakers. We also gave away over $1000 in bar ware. We are really hoping to ramp this up next year with more shakers and collectors. Belowis a link to an interview of Steve with Robert Hess (aka Drink Boy) The Cocktail Spirit

The Dutch Aviator

2 Oz Sonnema Vodkaherb

1/2 Oz Luxard Maraschino Liqueur

1/2 Oz Creme de Violette

1/2 Fresh Lemon Juice

Shake for 8 seconds

Strain & Serve

The Dutch Duchess

2 1/2 Oz Sonnema Vodkaherb

3 Drops Le Fee Absinthe

1 Dash Peychaud's Bitters

Stir all ingrediats together

Strain and Serve

Thursday was also very fun as I got to serve my twist on a classic old cocktail, the Crimson Clover Club at the Cocktail Hour. I would also like to thank my sponsor, Ciroc Voka, anther Great Vodka! http://cirocvodka.com/ This drink was originally invented in the early 1900s at the Bellvue-Stratford Hotel in New York, for a group of "Philadelphia Blue Bloods" that called themselves the Clover Club. Here are the recipes...

The Original Clover Club

1.5 Oz Gin

1 Oz Lemon juice
1/2 Oz Grenadine
White of an Egg
Dash of Bitters (Optional)
Shake with Cracked Ice for at least 30 seconds to build a froth.
Strain & Serve

The Crimson Clover Club
1.5 Oz Ciroc Vodka

1 Oz Lime Juice
1/2 Oz Raspberry Liquor
White of an Egg
Dash of Peychuad's Bitters (Optional)
Shake with Cracked Ice for at least 30 seconds to build a froth.
Strain & Serve

(this is me Shaking Clover Clubs in a 1930s Hazel Atlas Shaker on Thurdays evening)

Thursday evenings Spirited Dinner at The Bombay Club was also an excellent time. The menu was almost as outstanding as the company. In attendance with our group were Steve & Arlene Visakay, Mark Biggler, Gary & Joy Graham, Lance Jason, and my friend Regina. This group of extrordinary collectors ia almost unmatched in the circles of Shaker Collectors. What fun that was!

On Friday evening I was also lucky enough to meet up with and be interviewed by one of the most intelligent, talented, and beautiful "Broads" I have ever had the privilege of knowing... Jennifer English. We talked for two hours on the resurgence of the Cocktail Culture, Cocktail Shakers, the designers of the Art Deco era, and where it is taking us today. What a wonderful time that was. Jennifer's knowledge of the food & beverage industry and history in general is just amazing. She is the founder and host of The Food & Wine Radio Network...Radio That Satisfies. She is also a James Beard Award Winner, 4-time James Beard Award Nominee, Gracie Allen Award Winner (not to mention she is an overall sweet and fun person). Check out the website... http://www.foodandwineradionetwork.com/

On Saturday, I had the privilege of a tour of the newly re-opened Museum of the American Cocktail at it's new home in New Orleans. Ted Haige, curaror of the museum, led a group of cocktailians on a personal tour of the small but wonderfully set up museum. If you are a cocktail shaker or bar ware collector or just like history it is a must see when in New Orleans. Check out their website below...
http://www.museumoftheamericancocktail.org/

I could literally go on for days about Tales of the Cocktail but don't want to bore you to death, so I suggest that you check out there website with links to all the bloggers that attended, videos of events and so on.

At this time I would like to invite everyone to contact me with comments or suggestions or just to say Hi.

Future post will have A LOT more about Cocktail Shakers & Bar Ware Collectors and the Cocktail Shakers and Bar Ware pieces themselves, along with some great old cocktail recipes.

So for now...
Keep on Shakin' & Stirring...