To some extent, Upstate New York exists in the giant shadow cast by one of the world’s greatest cities. No one would argue about New York City’s place in history, certainly not in the history of a subject as universal and sophisticated as spirits and cocktails.
And yet Upstate New York, from the Hudson Valley to the Niagara River, has its own long and grand connection to the history of drinks and drinking in America.
Colonial-era rum was distilled here. The first recorded definition of the word cocktail was printed here. Whiskey floated down the Erie Canal here. The most celebrated bartender of the golden age of the cocktail was born here. Along with history, there are plenty of stories—myths and lore, some fiction. They involve rooster’s feathers, angels seeking their wings and more.
But it’s not just about old stories. Upstate New York today is the home of a resurgent cocktail culture, fueled by more than one hundred modern distillers and beverage makers, countless bars and untold numbers of drinks enthusiasts. They complete the tale.
No book this size can tell the complete story of a region so big, a history so long and a contemporary drinking culture so diverse. Consider it a guide to some of the best stories, old and new. For the most part, they’re told in chronological (historical) order. Every so often, however, there’s a detour to a modern place or person that complements the history. And there are cocktail recipes—more than sixty of them—from historic classics to current creative concoctions.
Grab a drink, and let’s begin.