GREETINGS!
Welcome to Williams and Graham. Our modest establishment is a celebration of the long lost art of bartending . Bartending and the practice of mixology are generally considered to be one of the United States of America’s original contributions to global culinary society. The “Golden Age” of bartending began in the early 1850s when a natty gentleman bartender by the name of Jerry Thomas wrote the book The Bar-Tender’s Guide (alternately titled How to Mix Drinks or The Bon Vivant’s Companion). This cocktail renaissance thrived for almost sixty years until the so-called “Noble Experiment” of Prohibition. When Temperance became law, the great bartenders of our land spread to the far reaches of the world to practice their art. By the time Prohibition finally ended in 1933, the craft of bartending in America had hit an all time low. We had gone from grand barrooms to back alley blind pigs, from serving world-class spirits to peddling rot-gut and bathtub gin. A sad decline indeed . . . in turn, it has taken seventy plus years for us to take back our credibility. So, it is extremely important to us here at W&G to honor history, methodology, and the art of bartending. It all begins with hospitality because it is the foundation upon which our craft is built.
Cheers & Good Drinking
Sean Kenyon - Barman/Proprietor Todd Colehour - Founder
Danny Jacks - General Manager Saydee Hopkins - Bar Manager
Agave Spirits
Mezcal and Tequila are truly native Mexican spirits, and there is a heritage and history and culture associated with this exotic elixir dating back over a thousand years. Before the Spaniards brought alembic stills to Mexico in the early 1500’s, the Aztecs consumed a wine-like liquid called Pulque (lightning nectar, a gift from the gods) made from fermented syrup extracted from the heart of the agave plant, which the Spanish called Vino de Mezcal. Although the consumption of Pulque was reserved almost exclusively for religious ceremony, the agave plant, also known as the maguey, was utilized by Mexico's Native Americans for virtually everything from food and drink and sugar to shoes, soap, building supplies, rope, and even as medicine, and was affectionately referred to as mother’s milk. These pre-Conquest civilizations worshipped two goddesses, who will forever be linked to the agave, in spirit, in life, and in virtually all forms of art, Xochiquetzal, goddess of intoxication and desire [many believe this to be the origin for our word cocktail], and Mayahuel, goddess of fertility. It is time that we, the Tequila and Mezcal consumers of the world, pay our respects to the artisan producers that have truly mastered their craft. If you sincerely desire el mejor, the finest of exotic elixirs, perhaps the most complex and exciting spirits in the world today, consider the heritage, the history, the culture of Mexico’s national spirit, the pride of an entire nation, and at the very least, be sure the bottle says 100%Agave, hecho en Mexico.
Steve Olson, New York, NY
DRINKS
Rum, Rhum, Cachaça, & Arrack
Blood, Sugarcane, Sweat, Magic.
If the Maguey produces nectar of the Gods then sugarcane produces the Amrita of the beast. It’s fueled bloodshed, glory, tears and laughter. No other spirit has had more of a checkered past than that from the Saccharum Officinarum; The grass that gives honey without bees. It is the most versatile of all the imbibable distillates. Whether toasting Poseidon while plundering the high seas to offering it on an alter to the Mayan gods for the season’s blessings. Rum. Ron. Rhum. Aguardiente. Cachaca. Rumbullion. Under whatever name or style, the transcendent effect on your senses once your taste buds are engulfed is undeniable. The moon and the stars seem within reach. The creation of man and the dawn of time stand before you. Swashbuckling; leading a rebellion; or hunting a jaguar with a spear as you enter manhood, the Sugarcane Serum is alive! So drink rum dear reader. Spark creativity, change, or happiness. Whatever the end result, know that you will never be alone, for the world drinks with you. ¡Revolución! ***Results may vary. Void where prohibited. Colors may vary. Author may or may not have sampled some aged rum when writing.
Danny Valdéz, New Orleans LA Drinks>
DRINKS
Botanical Spirits
Gin! If you love cocktails, (you’re here at Williams & Graham, so you must) then you love gin even if you don’t know it yet. Gin has been the foundation of the cocktail world since there were cocktails. Why? Imagine a spirit made lovingly from the most exotic flavors on earth with strength to spare. Gin is a base you can hammer with bitters, tickle with sweeteners or push with citrus and it stands it’s ground, gets better even. Gin is like the Hulk, the more you beat on it the mightier it becomes. In the right hands a gin cocktail will change your life. Changed mine. Forget what you think you know. Let us show you why everyone who makes drinks for a living reveres the botanical lady. Trust the Captain. Trust the Crew. Gin!!! Shout it from the rooftops!
Jon Santer, The Prizefighter, Emeryville, CA
DRINKS
Vodka
…It will leave you breathless. Vodka is America's favorite spirit by a long shot. It makes bachelorette parties bearable, and without vodka, no one would ever get laid on prom night, and middle-aged men could never pull good looking young women on South Beach. On a more serious note… Vodka has a long and illustrious history, dating back as far as the 8th century. Poland and Russia both stake claim to creating Vodka which means "little water". The evidence seems to lean towards Poland but it is not an argument to start in Russia where to this day, Vodka is consumed in religious quantities, most often in cold "shot" form with food. Traditional Russian Vodka is commonly made from wheat while its Polish cousin tends to be produced from Rye. Vodka is often accused of (and at one point in America was marketed as) being "flavorless". If you taste closely you will find that wheat based Vodka tends to be light and sweet, while rye based Vodka leans more toward rich and spicy. These days Vodka is made everywhere from just about anything from grapes to milk. We suggest you get to know your Vodka by tasting and finding which one is right for you.
John Lermayer, Sweet Liberty, Miami FL Drinks>
DRINKS
Eau De Vie
It's hard to believe, but cognac used to be an everyday drinking spirit, your first choice for invigorating abowl of Punch, stirring up into a morning "Cock-Tail" or constructing a mighty Julep. And why not? Impeccably distilled in copper pot stills (the way it still is today), aged in oak and blended by the original masters of the art, cognac was and is a perfectly balanced spirit, rich enough to give a drink body but not overpoweringly woody or smoky or anything other than delicious. In other words, the same characteristics that make sipping a good cognac such a comfort and a delight make a well-made Sidecar, Ritz, or Crusta about as good as a cocktail can get. Small wonder it's been the choice of princes and pirates, poets and playboys and discerning drinkers from English Prime Ministers (Winston Churchill's capacity for vintage cognacs was legendary) to American actresses (for her contribution to victory in World War II, Tallulah Bankhead made the ultimate sacrifice and gave up her cognac French 75s for the duration). But why let them have all the fun?
David Wondrich, Brooklyn, NY
DRINKS
Scotch & World Whisky
Scotch whisky is a miracle beverage that for at least five centuries has thrived despite a difficult climate, wars, economic strife and social turmoil. What has kept numerous Scottish communities intact and villages surviving is the amber liquid made from grain, yeast and pure Scottish water. A crucial fourth ingredient is the resolve and ingenuity of the Scots, who have made Scotch the world's favorite whisky through guile and perseverance. Scotch whisky provides legal-age imbibers with a panoramic landscape of aromas, flavors, colors and textures that no other variety of spirit can offer. From floral smelling blends to intensely smoky single malts that seem to take you by the lapels to announce their presence, Scotch whisky is a compelling universe of its own and a bona fide force of nature. Slainte Mhath F.
Paul Pacult, Beverage Alcohol Resource
DRINKS
American Whiskey
American Whiskey was created by the trailblazing immigrant settlers of our country who brought over traditional distilling practices from their respective Motherlands. That knowledge was passed on from generation to generation, and as they spread across the young developing nation they began making whiskey in places like western Pennsylvania and the Kentucky Territory. In lieu of the traditional grains their ancestors used to distill spirits, they used grains that were geographically abundant like rye and corn. American Whiskey became what it is today through trial and error, success and failure, beautiful mistakes, changes due to necessity, excise taxes, politics and the bloodshed of war. It is our contribution to the spiritous univers, and a true American gift that gives the passion, flavor and nuance of our country’s history in a glass.
Will Shine, Brooklyn, NY
DRINKS
Liqueurs & Cordials
As one of the largest categories of spirits, liqueurs offer a wide diversity of flavor. Whether dry or sweet, herbal or bitter, the first liqueur producers shared a common goal- to preserve the beneficial qualities of the raw product. In the Middle Ages fruits, nuts, herbs, flowers and spices were brought to the still as alchemists attempted to find the secrets to eternal life and monastic orders created medicinal tonics. Sugar, an expensive commodity of the time, would be added to improve the often bitter flavor creating the first examples of what are known today as liqueurs. As sugar became more affordable in colonial times these liqueurs became available to the general populace and soon became popular tipples for a wider audience. Whether a complex herbal liqueur or a luxurious fruit brandy, the craftsmanship of the makers must be acknowledged as all well made liqueurs celebrate the essence of the initial raw materials in beautiful spirits that can be sipped alone or provide layers and texture of a well crafted cocktail. Cheers!
Misty Kalkofen, Boston, MA
DRINKS
Aromatics
A friend was on a date one evening, attempting to woo a lovely young woman. After a couple of Negronis to open the appetites and some sparkling dinner conversation thereafter, things seemed to be going well. A happy ending to this night was nearly a lock. Post dinner, he was hoping to continue the conversation. He suavely suggested they stop off at a at a local watering hole for a digestif, of the opinion he was being rather continental and worldly. He thought to himself that a glass of racy, bittersweet Italian amaro or maybe a rich, herbaceous red vermouth on ice would be just the thing to stimulate the senses. But, with a look of bewilderment and obvious frustration his date replied: “I thought we were going back to your place! But, you want to go listen to music? What the fuck is so special about this DJ Steve?” Looking to get the juices flowing before or after a date? Please refer to our list of offerings.
Tad Carducci, The Tippling Bros, New York, NY
DRINKS
Fortified Wines
Ahhh . . . Sherry. Sounds like a girl who sat at your science table in junior high. She was nice, and had a good sense of humor and, if you were smart enough to notice, she was beautiful. But you were in junior high, so of course you didn’t notice. You noticed the obvious and ignored this complex and layered stunner for ripped jeans and a really sexy leather jacket. Well consider this the summer between senior year in high school and heading away to college when the promise of change leads to awakenings and new frontiers. Sherry is sitting there at a house party and you look at her in a way you never have before. Finally you recognize the beauty, but there’s so much more there; she’s complex, she’s versatile and you realize she’s always been there for you no matter your mood. And oh yeah, she’s sexy as hell! You realize it’s time you knew more and you make the walk across the lawn to meet your destiny - - hundreds of years in the making. You’ve never felt such excitement as you know what’s about to happen will by unlike anything you ever experienced. You hope you’re ready but as you look into her eyes for really the first time you know you are in way over your head! She’s got aspects you never even knew you were missing out on till this very moment. Close your eyes and hold on tights . . . this is about to get good.
Andy Seymour, Liquid Productions, New York, NY