Yesterday's London Times
Yesterday's London Times
To Drink or Not to Drink? Spirits and Temperance in Victorian London
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Cheers! Did you know that cocktails as we know them today have their origins in the Victorian Era? It’s true! But the Victorian relationship with alcohol is complicated - it’s a lot more than just booze; it is also an examination of class, equality, opportunity, and values. In this episode, we will explore:
- what motivated the middle class temperance movement, and the hypocrisy that surrounded it
- why many in the working classes began to embrace teetotaling
- how unsafe living conditions and unfair labour practices pushed other working class men into the comforts of the Victorian pub
- the connection of temperance to suffrage
- why the UK failed to embrace total prohibition
- the inventions and innovations that transformed the oily rotgut of the Georgian Era into the purified spirits we know today
- the showmanship that began to permeate cocktail culture
- the rise of the iconic London hotel bars, where one can still enjoy spirits, culture, and ambiance today
We will also dig more deeply and question:
- how classism and societal mores shape the values and overall culture of the Victorian Era
* Jen lovingly dedicates this episode to Mary G., with whom many spirits were toasted, countless laughs shared, and infinite memories made - all beginning in London. Rest easy, dear friend - this one’s for you ♥️
Photos and links can be found in our show notes.
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