A cocktail evening in the Wild West

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Drinks in the Wild West - Cocktails?!

Cyrus Noble Bourbon Whiskey 1882

When a movie cowboy finally stops at a saloon to wet his dry throat after his long ride through the dusty wasteland, the order is usually obvious. In this scenario, the cowboy wouldn't even have to say what he'd like to drink; after all, it's written on his face: That's right, we're talking about whiskey!

Besides the usual beer, it appears to be pretty much all that the ladies and gentlemen consumed back then - if you believe the Hollywood myths.

It is true, of course, that whiskey and also beer made up a significant part of the alcohol supply of the time, but of course this wasn't all that the West had to offer.

Im Buch „Bartender’s Guide – How to mix drinks“ von Jerry Thomas aus dem Jahre 1862, wird uns eine völlig neue Welt offenbart, von der viele erstaunt sind, dass es sie zu dieser Zeit bereits gegeben haben soll: Cocktails – in den verschiedensten Variationen!

Cocktails were certainly not found on every cattle trek, but they certainly existed in the cities, preferably in establishments where the noble society went in and out.

The book provides a very good compendium of recipes - reason enough for us to take a closer look!

Cocktails with the gins from Sack's Distillery

In January, Marcel Völkel, owner and operator of Sack's Distillery from Weißenstadt, visited us to shoot a new commercial for his new Illegal Outlaw Gin. Without further ado, we asked Marcel if he would like to offer his fine stuff for a cocktail evening in Beaver Creek Valley - which he eventually did!

• 
  Sack's Distillery in Beaver Creek Valley!
  by Chet McCay
  December 18, 2022
  Marcel Völkel of Sack's Distille visited Beaver Creek Valley to work with Panorama Video Production on a new spot! read more

So we used our Authentic Camp in August 2022 to treat our guests with something special! We equipped Marcel and his partner Bea with authentic clothes and prepared everything for an unforgettable evening: Cocktails in the Wild West!

Authentic cocktails from 1770 - 1876

Am späten Nachmittag stellte dann „M.J.“ seine Liköre, Brände und Gin vor und lud zu einer Verkostung ein. So etwas hatte der Wilde Westen noch nicht erlebt – Getränke zum Probieren und noch dazu gratis! Das Spektakel wurde von den „Beaver Creek Valley Ramblers“ musikalisch untermalt! Die Stimmung war ausgelassen und froh – ein schöner Auftakt zum anschließenden authentischen Cocktail-Abend!

The Cocktails

War schon die Verköstigung der Spirituosen und Liköre ein kleines Hightligth, so wird der darauf folgende Cocktail-Abend für viele unvergesslich bleiben. Dafür sorgten unsere Bartender M.J. und Colton, sowie die Bardame Bea! Auf der Cocktail-Karte der ins Leben gerufenen „Jolly Beaver Bar“ standen vier Cocktails zur Wahl.

Im Verlaufe des Abends ist für einen unserer Gäste sogar eine neue Kreation entstanden, die wir hier gerne teilen möchten: Geboren wurde der „King Gin Fizz“ – gewidmet unserem guten Freund, dem „König“!

The King Gin Fizz

• 4cl Gin
• 2cl lemon juice
• 1cl Maraschino liqueur
• 2cl sugar sirup
• Carbonated water
• Berries
• 3-4 twigs of fresh mint

Add all ingredients (except the mineral water) to a shaker filled with ice and shake for about 15 seconds. Strain the contents of the shaker into a highball glass filled with ice and fill up with the mineral water. Garnish with berries and mint.

To the King!

An unforgettable day comes to an end

As is well known, even such beautiful days come to an end. We hope that we were able to serve a new favorite cocktail or two and would like to thank M.J. and Bea who made this wonderful day possible as well as helping to create it.

Maybe there will be an opportunity to repeat such a great day again next year. In any case, we would be very happy about it!

Chet McCay – Beaver Creek Pioneer