Cocktails, spirits, and the stories they carry
mixellany
1. Original written works of scholarship. 2. Bespoke historical research and publication services. 3. Thought-provoking masterclasses. 4. Online resource for cocktail and drink historical research.
Welcome, all.
Pour yourself a drink and join us for a while. We've been around since Halloween night 1995 as Shaken not Stirred®: A Celebration of the Martini (aka: Martiniplace.com) and show no sign of leaving (even though we have become Mixellany.com). One thing remains the same. We are dedicated to presenting thoughts about all things related to the history of cocktails and spirits, bartenders and bartending: plus a few anecdotes and recipes. Most of all there's healthy dose of reminding you that quality over quantity counts in the true appreciation of the spirits and mixed drinks. (Also being of legal drinking age in your particular country of residence when you enter this site will make all of us feel a whole lot better.)
About us
We traced the first use of the word "cocktail" in print to 1798 on London's Downing Street. We know where the Savoy's Harry Craddock is buried. We discovered Harry Johnson's true birthplace and gravesite. We know how the Martini got its name. And know who created the Bee's Knees.
We are Jared Brown and Dr. Anistatia Miller—the directors of Mixellany Limited®—a consultancy and publishing company that specialises in anything and everything to do with spirits and mixed drinks. Since 1995, we have written more than 36 books, including Shaken Not Stirred: A Celebration of the Martini (1996), the two volume series Spirituous Journey: A History of Drink (2009 & 2010) and most recently A Most Noble Water: Revisiting the Origins of English Gin (2024), The Spirit of Sugarcane, plus The Spirit of Juniper (2026).
Research & publishing
PUBLISHING
Mixellany's publishing division was responsible for the Mixologist series of cocktail journals, the republishing of the rare classics The Café Royal Cocktail Book and El Arte de Hacer un Cocktail y Algo Mas, and titles by other noted authors, including Gary Regan and Shawn Soole.