The History of Cocktails at The Gin Men 

At The Gin Men, we love gin and cocktails. They carry history, rich and deep, and knowing that 

history makes tasting them a journey. The word “cocktail” first appeared in a London paper on 

March 20, 1798. Yet the mixing of spirits goes back much further, tangled with influences from 

distant lands. 

In the 17th century, people drank punch. It was a strong mixture of spirits, sugar, water, fruit, and 

spices. These drinks reflected the adventurous tastes of the time, shaped by Englishmen who 

first savored Indian flavors in the early 1600s. 

In 1731, James Ashley became England’s first celebrity bartender. He opened the Sign of the 

Two Punch Bowls in London. There, he made a variety of punches, highlighting seasonal fruits 

and spices, with gin as the main spirit. It was a time when gin had captured hearts and minds. 

No specific recipes from Ashley have survived, but we can imagine the punches he crafted from 

the fruits and spices of his day. 

Here is a recipe that might resemble what James Ashley would have served, but with a touch of 

our own style. 

Fun Fact 

The word “punch” comes from the Hindi word “panch,” meaning five, referring to its five 

traditional ingredients.