Since bartending has been around as long as the alcoholic beverage, it has its own history and past. There have been many bartenders throughout the course of that history that either invented new drinks or revolutionized part of the bartending process and service. The profession of bartender itself has evolved throughout the ages. A bartender does more than serve drinks, they are a great listeners and buddies to all the bar patrons that come in.
Here are a few of history’s most influential and memorable bartenders:
  1. Jerry Thomas – Also known as “The Professor,” Jerry Thomas changed bartending from a simple trade into a set of skills that have to be mastered. He made bartending into more of a performance art . His most popular recipe was the Blue Blazer, featured in Bartender’s Guide published in 1887. The Blue Blazer was a flaming drink of whiskey, sugar, and lemon peel thrown back and forth between two glasses. Thomas is also credited with the beginning of flair bartending and was the author of the first modern cocktail book in the United States.
  2. Harry Craddock – An expat who brought the cocktail scene to London, Harry Craddock was the author of what is still considered the gold standard of cocktail handbooks: The Savoy Cocktail Book (published in 1930). Originally named for the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel, The Savoy Cocktail Bookhas been re-published as recently as 2007. According to bartending lore, Craddock buried a shaker containing his original recipe in the wall at the American Bar, but it has never been found.
  3. Tom Bullock – Tom was the first African-American to publish a cocktail book, The Ideal Bartender (published 1917). The dedication for the book read: “To those who enjoy snug club rooms, that they may learn the art of preparing for themselves what is good.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!
Has all of this history made you interested in bartending? C’mon down to Maryland Bartending Academy. We offer you one free bartending class so you can see what the Maryland Bartending Academy is all about. We have an open door policy with no obligation to enroll. And each of our instructors has years of bartending experience and knows the industry well. If you still need to know more, you can always request additional information.

If you have any questions about Bartending or wish to register for an upcoming class, please contact the Maryland Bartending Academy by calling 410-787-0020 or visit MarylandBartending.com today!

Maryland Bartending Academy is not only Maryland’s oldest bartending school, but we also offer the most comprehensive curriculum around. We will have you ready for your new career in two weeks and then we will help you find bartender jobs around Maryland and DC! We have trained and placed thousands and thousands of bartenders into some of the busiest bars throughout not only Maryland and DC, but also the entire nation.

You can also follow the Maryland Bartending Academy on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.