Today I came across an interesting bit of literature while researching the class I’m teaching tonight at the Brooklyn Brainery, What Dickens Drank: Historic Summer Cocktails. It’s a passage from Transatlantic Travels, by Captain J. E. Alexander, an English tourist in America in 1833.  Writing about travels in America became quite popular in the 1840s, and several books (including Dickens’ American Notes) originated in this time period.  Often these books are invaluable because they record specifics of daily American life that no one else thought to write down.

In this case, Alexander stops by a very famous bar in New York, the City Hotel, which featured America’s first celebrity bartender, a “Mr. Willard.”  We don’t know much about Willard, because unlike like Jerry Thomas, he didn’t write down his famous cocktail concoctions.  But since the cocktail was considered a very American drink,  Alexander took the time to record three recipes in his travel book; these  are some of the earliest cocktail recipes on record.

Modernized recipes for the Cocktail, Mint Julep, and Apple Toddy.

Last event of the season! Hope to see you there!

The Boston 19th Century Pub Crawl
Saturday, June 25th at 5pm
Meet at Eastern Standard
528 Commonwealth Avenue Boston, MA
$5 Buy Tickets Here!

I know I’ve been all blah blah blah this event, blah blah that event.  But spring is a good time for cookin’, and I’ve got just two more events in New York before I take my summer break!

Firstly, Gin in June is tomorrow night!  It will feature four gins in four historic cocktails: The Gin Sling, The Martinez, The Bronx Cocktail, and the Gin Fizz.  We’ll also serve 1880s bar food: pig’s feet, ham, roast beef, and tongue; as well as bread, the most delicious fresh butter, strawberries, and fresh greens.

So get you tickets before they sell out! Purchase tickets here.

Then on Saturday, I’m going to be at the Wyckoff House in Brooklyn for their annual Kinderdag Festival: making waffles over and open fire and baking orange and caraway cookies (the weather will be cooler on Saturday).  So bring the kids to help me make some sweet treats, as well as participate in games, other events, and get a tour of the historic house.

This is the season for fun food events! Check out the gin cocktail party I’m doing at the Old Stone House on June 10th:

1830’s Bartendin’

I wanted to share a few images from last week’s sold-out Tavern Drinks and Diversion event at the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum.  Delicious drinks and food in an historic 1830s bar = pretty awesome.  We’re planning another event with hot cocktails for the fall.

But in the meantime, if you missed the event and are totally jelly; or if you were there and would like to do it all over, then come to Gin in June at the Old Stone House! On Friday, June 10th, we’ll be tasting four historic gins in four historic cocktails, accompanied by 1880s bar food.  Get your tickets here!

Guests enjoying a tavern supper of ham, fresh bread and butter, and venison.

I made a ham so good. This ham was the best ham. I'm making it again for Gin in June.

Mushroom ketchup: salty mushroom sauce. Also available at Gin in June.

The scene at the bar.

Mad crowded.

A lovely bowel of Green Tea Punch in the garden.

A class on historic gastronomy at the Brooklyn Brainery, which offers cheap, low-commitment classes on a variety of topics, like tying knots.  Ramin Talaie for The New York Times.

Got my picture in the paper today–a lovely image in the New York Times from the Historic Gastronomy class I’m teaching at the Brooklyn Brainery.  You can read the full text of the article here.

The Brainery offers low cost courses on just about anything, from card games to physics.  I’m going to teach a couple more classes over the summer and fall, so get on their mailing list to find out when registration opens.

Two great events coming up this week!

Tavern Drinks and Diversions: An evening of 19th century carousing

Thursday, May 12 at 6:30 PM
The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden
421 East 61st St., New York, NY

Waffles @ Wyckoff
Sunday, May 15th at Noon
5816 Clarendon Road, Brooklyn, NY
Free, first come first serve.

I’ve added the exciting conclusion to my coconut cake experiment.  Check it out.

I’m doing a cocktail event in early May at the Mount Vernon Hotel and Museum. They have an incredible 1830s fully-restored bar; so we’re going to be serving authentic 1830s drink, food, and playing games all in an authentic setting!  Come drink and have a generally good time.  More info below, and buy tickets here.

Tavern Drinks and Diversions: An evening of 19th century carousing

Thursday, May 12 at 6:30 PM
The Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden
421 East 61st St., New York, NY

Yesterday was spent in prep.  Dishes that I’ve set aside for months, new and unused, are finally fulfilling their destinies.  Everything cleaned and separated for meat and dairy.

My boyfriend decided to join me in my experiment.  Both of our brains are in Kosher mode.  He texted me from Starbucks: Sugar in the Raw is Parve.  Stealing us some.

We spent an hour that night at the grocery store, examining packages for the necessary “K” for Kosher.

The full story of Day 1 tomorrow.