Some of The World's Most Famous Bartenders (And Some Rum Treats!)

When you visit one of the top bars, such as Eleven Twenty-Two, which is rated as one of the speakeasies in the world, and take precautionary measures during the new normal, you will be presented with a drinks menu, which is filled with unique creations, from whisky varieties to cocktails, and much, much more. Have you ever wondered where these drinks have come from? Let’s take a look at some of the most famous bartenders of all time that we have to thank for the drinks we enjoy today.

Dale Degroff – Dale Degroff is known as King Cocktail. He has helped to redefine contemporary bartending, winning many awards and penning two bar books in the process. His approach is to use fresh ingredients and add a unique spin on classic recipes. 

Ernest Gantt – Tiki drinks have definitely come back in fashion as of late. The man that is responsible for starting this movement is Ernest Gantt, better known as Donn Beach or Don the Beachcomber. After the repeal of Prohibition, he set up shop in LA and created faux-Polynesian cocktails that were a huge hit in the 1940s and 50s. His style of bartending has since inspired many others who have followed in his footsteps. 

Victor Bergeron – Also known as Trader Vic, Victor Bergeron is arguably responsible for making Tiki cocktails a worldwide phenomenon. He took what Gantt started to the next level, creating famous drinks like the Painkiller and Mai Tai, which are enjoyed all over the globe. He said that his secret to creating the tastiest drinks was to use only the best ingredients, stating that he couldn’t understand why any bar would use anything other than pure fresh orange or lemon juice. You can look at the best juicer under $100 if you want to make these sorts of cocktails at home.

Jerry Thomas – The Bon Vivant’s Comparison is a mixology guide that was written by Jerry Thomas in 1862. This was actually the first cocktail book to ever be published. At the time, Thomas was not considered one of the most famous or important bartenders, yet he has secured his spot in history because this book is so useful that it is still in print today. 

William Schmidt – This article certainly would not be complete without William Schmidt, the man who created drinks with ten ingredients. In the late 19th century the German immigrant worked in a run-down watering hole in New York, yet he certainly wouldn’t have been out of place in one of today’s contemporary cocktail bars. The Pleasant Surprise is one of his drinks, which features port, sherry and cognac. 
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Ready to make your own cocktail? We’ve got some great rum drinks to try out...

Rum is a drink that is regularly ordered by partygoers. There are many variations of the drink, from dark rums to light rums, which are commonly used in cocktails. Here are some of the most popular rum drinks you can enjoy:
  1. Daiquiri – A Daiquiri is a simple, elegant and refreshing drink. It is a mixture of light rum, sugar and fresh lime juice. The ingredients are shaken to ensure the sugar dissolves. There are many variations of daiquiri now, such as strawberry and blood orange.
  2. Mojito – The mojito is a classic cocktail that was invented in Cuba over 200 years ago. This drink consists of white rum, fresh mint, sugar, club soda and lime juice.
  3. Pina Colada – This is the ultimate holiday drink. This tropical dream includes light rum, heavy cream, coconut cream and pineapple juice.
  4. Hot Buttered Rum – This is the perfect drink to keep you warm during the winter months. It is a blend of dark rum, hot water, butter, vanilla extract, brown sugar and optional spices, such as nutmeg and ground cinnamon.
  5. Caipirinha РThis is a simple yet tasty drink. It features three ingredients РCacha̤a, fine sugar and lime. Cacha̤a is a style of rum, which is different from other varieties because it is made from sugar cane juice rather than molasses.
  6. Dark and Stormy – Dark and Stormy is a blend of ginger beer and black seal rum, which is topped with a wedge of lime for garnish. It’s a dark tropical drink.
  7. Mai Tai – One sip of a Mai Tai and you can feel as though you are on a tropical beach. This cocktail is a mixture of Jamaican rum, medium lime, orgeat, curacao and rock candy syrup. Rock candy syrup is just simple syrup with a drop or two of vanilla extract.
  8. Planter’s Punch – Planter’s Punch is a mix of dark Jamaican rum, simple syrup, angostura bitters and fresh lime juice. The ingredients are stirred and served in a glass with ice.
  9. The Painkiller – It may have pain in the name, but this cocktail is all pleasure. It is a mixture of rum, coconut cream, orange juice and pineapple juice, which is topped with a sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg.
  10. Dirty Banana – Lastly, we have Dirty Banana, which is dark rum, Tia Maria, rum cream liqueur, milk, simple syrup and – you guessed it – banana.
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