Cocktails and alcohol in general are something people turn to in good times and bad. The phrase cocktail has been around for more than two centuries, probably longer before it actually had a name.
Historically the cocktail is a mixture of alcohol, sugar, water and bitters, think Old Fashioned or Sazerac. People turn to alcohol to calm anxiety, boost their sense of wellbeing and to celebrate both the big and the little victories in life. And of course people have been turning to cocktails more than ever during the 2020 pandemic.
Just over 100 years ago in 1918 the Spanish Flu brought its own set of pandemic-themed cocktails including The Corpse River, The Penicillin Cocktail and the Medicina Latina (full recipes below). Today’s mixologists, bartenders and amateur drink slingers have been diving into new and interesting ways to make cocktails during the pandemic either virtually via Zoom or in-person at their home bar.
Probably the biggest change during the 2020 pandemic was that despite the closing of bars and restaurants alcohol consumption grew by 14% from 2019 to 2020. And as the country was forced to lock down 44% of Americans shifted their buying habits and learned how to purchase alcohol online and have it delivered home.
Cocktails and Ready-to-Drink (RTD) cocktails have grown exponentially during the most recent pandemic. Here’s a whimsical infographic that explores The Quarantini and a few of the cocktails that made the rounds over the last year. Enjoy!
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The History & Future of Cocktails Infographic
Infographic Source: Cooloo
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