Everything You Need to Know About the Bizzy Izzy
The Bizzy Izzy is more than just a cocktail; it is a piece of history preserved in print. It was created by Tom Bullock, a pre-Prohibition legend who became the first African American to publish a cocktail book, The Ideal Bartender, in 1917. Bullock was the head bartender at the St. Louis Country Club, where his skills were so renowned that even Theodore Roosevelt famously sang the praises of his mint juleps. The Bizzy Izzy is a testament to Bullock’s mastery of balance, blending the spicy heat of rye with the nutty complexity of Sherry and the tropical sweetness of pineapple—a combination that was revolutionary for its time.
