In 1956, someone bet New Jersey resident Thomas Fitzpatrick that he couldn't get to Washington Heights in Manhattan in fifteen minutes. He took drastic measures to prove his drinking buddy wrong. Twice.
drinks
Tinkering with Hurricanes and Drinking ‘Stormfury’
A US government project to weaken hurricanes wasn't too successful - but it did manage to scare Fidel Castro.
Frozen Beer Heats up in L.A.
An ice cold beer -- it's the iconic summer tipple. The paradox: how do you keep that beer ice-cold in the summer heat? We head to L.A. restaurant Chaya, the first restaurant in America licensed to sell the solution: frozen beer.
Inventing the Typewriter – and the Hunt and Peck
Christopher Latham Sholes’ “literary piano” led to the 1868 invention of the typewriter - and, along with it, the QWERTY keyboard layout. Learn about some of the quirks of Sholes’ device, and then try to type the alphabet while drinking this cocktail.
Jane Fonda’s Workout and The VHS
Jane Fonda blazed a trail for leg-warmer-wearers everywhere with the release of her first workout video tape in 1982. It went on to sell millions of copies, which spiked VCR sales, and helped grow the fitness industry nationwide. While you certainly shouldn’t drink alcohol while exercising, here’s a custom (healthy!) concoction for your post-workout wind-down.
The Most Famous Punch Bowl in Sports History
In 1892, a certain Lord Stanley of Preston purchased the most notorious punch bowl in sports history. Learn about some of the (in)glorious moments in the lifespan of Stanley's "Cup," and then fill it with this sweet Canadian cocktail.
Gumming-Up History
This week in 1891, Chicago entrepreneur William Wrigley began giving away bubble gum. Learn about how he turned this chewy afterthought into a billion-dollar model of marketing...and then blow bubbles in this custom cocktail.
You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby and The Sullivan
This week back in 1908, women in NYC were barred from smoking in public. Hear how they won back the right to slowly kill themselves, then celebrate your right to partake of this vice: “The Sullivan,” as drafted by bartender Lauren Davis of the Raines Law Room speakeasy in New York’s Flatiron District.
Pay up, Beardo!
This week in 1698, Tsar Peter the Great tried to change the face of Russia… by instituting a beard tax. Fight the power - and put some hair on your chest - with a classic cocktail from America’s most famous Russian-themed restaurant.
Replaying the Story of the Instant Replay
In December 1963, CBS’ Tony Verna changed the world of sports by replaying a crucial moment in an Army v. Navy college football game.