Registration opens:
June 01st, 2026

Author: Brooke Barbier

A Revolutionary Take on Cocktails & History

A happy hour featuring craft cocktails and ciders from Ironbound Farm sets the stage for Brooke Barbier's presentation of "Cocked and Boozy: An Intoxicated History of the American Revolution."

This first-come, first-served event is intended for adults ages 21 and older. Registration is encouraged, but does not guarantee a seat.

Step back in time to the candlelit taverns of 1776 and the years before as public historian Brooke Barbier examines the surprising role that alcohol played in shaping the nation. In her latest book, "Cocked and Boozy: An Intoxicated History of the American Revolution," Barbier uncovers how a good pour influenced politics, relationships and the colonial economy. Pairing great stories with great libations, each chapter concludes with an 18th-century cocktail recipe. Join us at the Nassau Inn for an evening of unexpected history, storytelling and spirited sips.

5 p.m.: Provisions

Start the evening in the Yankee Doodle Tap Room with Happy Hour, featuring craft cocktails and ciders from Ironbound Farm inspired by the book.
 

6 p.m.: The Boozy Backstory

Registered guests continue to the Prince William Ballroom for a lively, visually engaging discussion with the author. Enjoy book-inspired cocktails featuring Ironbound Cider, purchase copies of the book from Labyrinth Books, and learn about the Historical Society of Princeton’s newest exhibit, "On the Road to Revolution at Dohm Alley."

About the author: 

Brooke Barbier received her PhD in American history from Boston College. In 2013, she founded Ye Olde Tavern Tours, a popular outing that takes guests into historic sites and taverns to learn about Boston’s revolutionary and drunken history. She is the author of "Boston in the American Revolution: A Town Versus an Empire" and the award-winning "King Hancock: The Radical Influence of a Moderate Founding Father." Her next book, "Cocked and Boozy: An Intoxicating History of the American Revolution, examines the influence of alcohol on the creation of the United States."

Presented in partnership with Yankee Doodle Tap Room & Nassau Inn, Labyrinth Books, Ironbound Farm and the Historical Society of Princeton. Public Humanities programs are presented with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations Pexpressed in this programming do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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