Women Who Shaped the Bar

This week, in honor of Women’s History Month, we take a deeper look at the stories cocktail history too often leaves out—the women who helped shape the bar as we know it today.While the narrative is often centered on legendary male bartenders, this episode widens the lens to reveal a richer, more complete story. Women weren’t just present behind the bar—they were innovators, leaders, and culture-shapers, even when their contributions were minimized or overlooked.As always, we build two cocktails that anchor the conversation. First, the Hanky Panky, created by Ada “Coley” Coleman at the Savoy’s American Bar—one of the most influential cocktails of the early 20th century. Then, the Gin-Gin Mule, Audrey Saunders’ modern classic that helped define the cocktail renaissance and reintroduce balance, freshness, and technique to a new generation.From Coley’s rise to becoming one of the first celebrity bartenders in history to Saunders’ role in mentoring some of the biggest names in modern mixology, this episode connects past and present through two women who quietly—but powerfully—moved the industry forward.Along the way, we explore the barriers women faced behind the bar, from cultural norms to outright legal restrictions, and how those barriers were eventually challenged and dismantled. More importantly, we ask a bigger question: whose stories get preserved—and whose get left behind?This episode isn’t about adding women into cocktail history. It’s about recognizing they were always part of it.So pour yourself something classic or something fresh, and join us as we continue digging deeper into the Barchive—one story, one cocktail at a time.