history

Since discovering alcohol a millennium ago, humans have been gung-ho about this liquid drug; Voyage back in time to map out the history of alcohol and drinking.

The History Behind Absinthe and How to Make a La Louche
History of Absinthe: Modern day Absinthe is derived from Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium) along with other herbs and was originally curated by French Dr. Pierre Ordinaire during the French Revolution (1789-1799). However, the medicinal uses of the herb Wormwood can be traced back to Ancient Egypt Ebers Papyrus - circa 1550 BC.
By A M B M8 years ago in Proof
How an Old Fashioned Became the Old Fashioned Staple of NYC
It’s a drink that’s always in style no matter the decade or day of the week. It’s on every bartender’s curriculum and every mixed drink enthusiast’s bucket list, but the Old Fashioned has always been just one of the many building blocks that serve as the benchmark of New York City’s diverse list of distinguished mixed drinks.
By JMM8 years ago in Proof
Top Shelf Cures. Top Story - July 2017.
When I was six or seven, my parents went out to celebrate an anniversary and left our grandmother to watch my brothers and me. Grandma Jean is British, and when I was little I loved this the most about her. She brought chocolate Smarties and Noddy books back for us in her luggage and made us afternoon tea. I spent so much time reading British books, in fact, that I was often corrected at school for using a ‘u’ in the word 'color.'
By Amanda Kusek9 years ago in Proof
Russian Vodka
"Is that vodka?" Margarita asked weakly.The cat jumped up in his seat with indignation."I beg your pardon, my queen," he rasped, "Would I ever allow myself to offer vodka to a lady? This is pure alcohol!"- Mikhail Bulgakov, "Master i Margarita"
By Lubow Dabrowska-Szpakowicz9 years ago in Proof
Famous Books Written by Alcoholic Authors
Many famous authors have struggled with alcohol addiction. Some use it as a means of sparking inspiration, while others depend on it to self-medicate. It is widely debated whether or not drinking actually helps with the quality of writing. These particular authors didn't let their addiction get in the way of their work, as many of these books have been deemed classics. Unsurprisingly, several of the following alcoholic authors wrote about drinking and alcohol abuse in their books. The plague of alcoholism has consumed the lives of numerous individuals throughout history. Here multiple famous books written by alcoholic writers.
By Madeline Basirico9 years ago in Proof
History of Wine and Church
The church is not exactly what most people would think of when they are asked to name a champion of partying. However, it'd be a lie to say that the often straight-laced church didn't have a major contribution to the modern bar scene.
By Cato Conroy9 years ago in Proof
9 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Sake. Top Story - June 2017.
Japanese sake has one of the longest, most storied histories of all alcoholic beverages, yet its tale remains largely unknown outside the country of its birth, or to anyone who isn't a dyed-in-the-wool aficionado. Let's take a fun look at some lesser-known facts surrounding an alcohol that's been called Japan's national beverage.
By Anthony Beal9 years ago in Proof
Alcohol Addiction: Mental Disease or Choice?
As I reach for my third water bottle within the hour to cure my killer hangover, I think back to the vague events of the night before. I scroll through my camera roll at the numerous pictures taken to help my memory. Cheeks pressing together with big smiles pass by, live photos capture stumbling dancers. The next photo is one of me by myself, and from the first glance at my eyes, low and red, I get an intrusive thought, one that has haunted me for years: Am I becoming my father’s daughter? After a decade of watching his internal battle with alcohol addiction, I have suppressed numerous lingering questions that have perplexed my subconscious. The one that stumps me the most, may be the most significant one to find an answer to: Is alcohol addiction a choice or a disease?
By Taylor Flaherty9 years ago in Proof
Five Days of Drinking on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Let’s begin this journey with news there are apparently more bourbon barrels in the state of Kentucky than people. Kentucky’s population is around 4.5 million people, so that’s a lot of bourbon barrels. Then let’s learn that 95 percent of bourbon in the world comes from within 75 miles of Louisville, Kentucky’s biggest city. It’s reasonable, then, to assume bourbon plays a big role in the state’s history and culture.
By Matthew Hall9 years ago in Proof
Pairing Rum & Chocolate
I am constantly on a search for new fabulous flavour pairings for chocolate and thanks to the complexity of this food there’s a lot of road ahead of me! My next chocolatey adventure takes place during a meeting between Jack Sparrow and Willy Wonka: pairing rum and chocolate! Rum has a sugar cane base with plenty of intense notes that can play delightfully with the creamy and caramel notes in certain chocolates.
By David Greenwood-Haigh9 years ago in Proof
Look, We Might Need a Cocktail Every Day this Month
It’s a big year, 2017. And no month of 2017 is bigger than May. See, back in May 1917 – that’s 100 years ago for those of us with Arts degrees – one Clara D.D. Walsh of St Louis, Missouri (formerly Miss Clara D.D. Bell of Lexington before her fortuitous – fortuitous for us all – marriage to one Julius S. Walsh Jnr) hosted the world’s first cocktail party.
By Carolyn Swindell9 years ago in Proof
Strange Facts About Americans During Prohibition
The lives of Americans during Prohibition weren't easy. After all, life without alcohol isn't very easy - and people really, truly do love their liquor. How much Americans loved their booze really came through during the Prohibition Era.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart9 years ago in Proof