History of the Cocktail: The Platinum Age of the Cocktail

This program is part of a series on the history of spirits and cocktails in America, curated by Derek Brown and presented by the National Archives Foundation in conjunction with the National Archives Museum exhibit "Spirited Republic: Alcohol in American History." Bartender Jim Meehan once noted that we currently live in the “Platinum Age” of cocktails. On the one hand, there’s a proliferation of classic and creative cocktails in bars across the country. On the other, bartenders have access to a wealth of tools, products and information helping to push the craft forward. The resultant landscape of cocktails and cocktail culture draws from both traditions of the past and present culinary innovations. It’s possible to have an authentically produced Old Fashioned as well as have it served in an ice sphere; it’s not a bad time for drinking in America. Moderated by Talia Baiocchi, editor-in-chief of PUNCH, panelists includes Jackson Cannon, Charles Joly, Jim Meehan, and Pamela Wiznitzer. "Spirited Republic," a National Archives Museum exhibit, is presented in part by the National Archives Foundation through the generous support of HISTORY®, the Lawrence F. O’Brien Family, The Tasting Panel Magazine, and Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America. Additional exhibition funding provided by the Beer Institute, the Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, and the National Beer Wholesalers Association.