Cameron Miranda
Jerry Thomas, the famous 19th-century bartender, broke a drinking law prohibiting drinking on Sundays. This incident took place during the final years of his career while he was working at the Central Park Hotel. Thomas, also known as The Professor, is considered the founding father of modern bartending and the creator of American mixology. He was a master of publicity and is known for his flamboyant style and charismatic personality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the law | Sunday's Prohibition Blue Laws |
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What You'll Learn
Jerry Thomas broke a drinking law
Jerry Thomas, the founding father of modern bartending, was caught breaking a drinking law that prohibited drinking on Sundays. At the time of his death, Thomas was working at the Central Park Hotel. A reporter from the Dramatic Mirror caught him in the act of drinking on a Sunday, which was prohibited by law at the time.
Thomas was a true mixology pioneer, known for his charismatic and flamboyant style behind the bar. He was a genius at publicity and self-promotion, once even using a hot air balloon to advertise his appearance at the new American Bar in London's Cremorne pleasure gardens.
Born in 1830 in the small town of Sacketts Harbor, New York, Thomas began bartending in New Haven before the gold rush brought him to California. He worked across the state in various positions and also travelled and worked extensively throughout the US, collecting recipes from all over the country.
Thomas was the author of the first bartender's guide, "How to Mix Drinks, or The Bon Vivant's Companion," published in 1862. The book defined the American school of drinking for the next century and solidified his legacy as the founding father of modern bartending.
His signature drink was the Blue Blazer, a flaming stream of whiskey poured between two metal tumblers. Thomas was often adorned with diamond jewellery, including cufflinks, stickpins, and rings. He was a member of the Fat Men's Association in New York and an avid attendee of prize fights. He ran his own saloons, some more successfully than others, and was a true American icon.
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Drinking was prohibited on Sundays
Blue laws continue to be enforced in parts of the United States, Canada, and some European countries. In the U.S., blue laws have been upheld by the Supreme Court as constitutional despite their religious origins, provided they are supported by secular justifications. For example, the Court has cited the need to secure a day of rest for mail carriers and to protect workers and families, thereby contributing to societal stability and guaranteeing the free exercise of religion.
While blue laws vary across the United States, many states continue to impose tighter restrictions on the sale of alcoholic drinks on Sundays. For instance, in Arkansas, 39 out of 75 counties are "dry", meaning the sale of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited entirely. In Indiana, Sunday carry-out alcohol sales are only allowed between noon and 8 pm. In Texas, alcoholic beverage sales are distinguished by type of alcohol sold and where the alcohol will be consumed, with separate permits and different laws applying to each category.
The enforcement of blue laws has evolved over time. In recent years, states and localities have moved away from the blanket prohibition of all commercial activities on Sundays. However, the sale of alcoholic beverages remains one of the two major areas that continue to be restricted in some places, along with motor vehicle sales.
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Thomas was caught by a reporter
Jerry Thomas, the famous 19th-century American bartender, was caught by a reporter from the Dramatic Mirror breaking a drinking law in effect at the time. Thomas was working at the Central Park Hotel when the incident occurred. The law he broke prohibited drinking on Sundays, also known as the Sunday Prohibition Blue Laws.
At the time, Thomas was already a well-known figure in the bartending world, often regarded as the creator of American mixology and the mastermind behind many inventive cocktails that are still enjoyed today. He was known for his personal charisma and flamboyant, dramatic style behind the bar. Born in 1830 in the little town of Sacketts' Harbor, upstate New York, Thomas began bartending in New Haven before venturing to San Francisco during the gold rush. He worked in various positions across California and other parts of the country, including Saint Louis, New Orleans, Chicago, and Charleston.
In addition to his bartending skills, Thomas was a genius at publicity. He once promoted his appearance at the new American Bar at the Cremorne pleasure gardens in London by dropping leaflets from a hot air balloon. He was also known for his extravagant jewellery, including diamond cufflinks, stick pins, and rings. Thomas authored the world's first surviving cocktail book, "How to Mix Drinks, or The Bon Vivant's Companion," published in 1862. The book defined the American school of drinking for the next century and solidified his legacy as one of the founding fathers of modern bartending.
Thomas' signature drink, the Blue Blazer, captures his flamboyant personality. It involves a flaming stream of blazing whiskey poured between two metal tumblers, showcasing the theatre he brought to cocktail bars in the 19th century. His impact extended beyond his drinks, as he decorated his bar with fine billiards tables and colossal paintings of himself mixing drinks. He even tended bar with a pair of pet white rats frolicking on his shoulders.
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The incident occurred at the Central Park Hotel
Thomas was a master of publicity and a flamboyant showman, known for his dramatic style and personal charisma. He was also a wanderer, working in several cities across the US, including New York, San Francisco, Saint Louis, New Orleans, Chicago, and Charleston. He collected recipes from across the country during his travels, compiling them into "How to Mix Drinks, or The Bon Vivant's Companion" in 1862, the first bartender's guide. This book essentially defined American drinking culture for the next century and solidified Thomas' status as the founding father of modern bartending.
Thomas was also known for his unique bar tendencies, such as tending bar with pet white rats on his shoulders and decorating his bar with colossal paintings of himself mixing drinks. He even took bets on uncertain outcomes, including elections and sporting matches. His signature drink, the Blue Blazer, was a flaming stream of whiskey poured between two metal tumblers, a testament to his flair for theatrics.
Despite his iconic status, Thomas experienced financial ups and downs. At one point, he had to auction off his possessions after a failed investment, and he died at the relatively young age of 55, leaving his family with no fortune. Nonetheless, his legacy as a pioneer of American mixology and a master of his craft endures.
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The law was called Sunday's Prohibition Blue Laws
Jerry Thomas, the famous 19th-century American bartender, broke a drinking law called the "Sundays Prohibition Blue Laws" that prohibited drinking on Sundays. This incident took place during the Prohibition era in the USA, a time when alcohol was completely illegal in the country.
Thomas, known as "The Professor," is considered by many to be the founding father of modern bartending. He was a genius for publicity and a master of flamboyant, dramatic flair bartending. His signature drink, the Blue Blazer, was a flaming stream of blazing whiskey poured between two metal tumblers, capturing his charismatic and extravagant personality.
Thomas began bartending in New Haven and later worked in various positions across California during the late 1840s and early 1850s. He was a compulsive wanderer, working in cities like Saint Louis, New Orleans, Chicago, and Charleston, always collecting new drink recipes during his travels.
In addition to his bartending fame, Thomas led a fascinating life. He was a sailor, a Forty-Niner in the California Gold Rush, a theatrical impresario, an artist, a volunteer fireman, a 33rd-degree Mason, and more. He wrote the first bartender's guide, "How to Mix Drinks, or The Bon Vivant's Companion," in 1862, which defined American drinking culture for over a century.
The impact of Jerry Thomas's legacy on the cocktail world is undeniable, and his influence continues to be celebrated even today.
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Frequently asked questions
Jerry Thomas broke a drinking law that prohibited drinking on Sundays.
Jerry Thomas broke the law towards the end of his career while working at the Central Park Hotel.
Jerry Thomas was caught drinking by a reporter from the Dramatic Mirror.
