Monday Mashups: 3 Must-See Museums

Happy Monday Mashup! Typically, food and drink is limited at museums because of the magnitude of the work being displayed. But, believe it or not, there are some museums out there that cater to those that are thirsty. Yes--it's true! Check out these three must-see museums that send you on your way with an adult beverage in hand; enhancing your ability to appreciate its beauty!

Museum of the American Cocktail - New Orleans, LA
Leave it to famed barman Dale DeGroff and the city of New Orleans (the only city in the nation to actually have its own officially legislated cocktail, the Sazerac and holiday, Mardi Gras) to dream up the country’s first museum dedicated to the cocktail. Located in the Southern Food & Beverage Museum in Central City, MOTAC takes its alcohol preservation seriously. You’ll find everything from antique bottles, books, openers and even rotating exhibits like the current “New Orleans Prohibition Raids, 1919–1933.” We love the history and New Orleans flair this museum instills. Can't wait to visit!

Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey History - Bardstown, KY
Any bourbon lover will have this Kentucky spot on the hit list for a visit! Named after whiskey distiller and spirited historian Oscar Getz, who died in 1983, the museum is chalk-full with Getz’s own fascinating collectibles from the Revolutionary War to Prohibition and beyond. Here, you’ll find pro- and anti-whiskey advertisements, legal documents and licenses, stills gone quiet, and if not the largest, certainly one of the most interesting collections of old whiskey bottles in the country. As you peer into the past, it is only natural to honor this icon with a glass of whiskey in your hand.

George Washington's Distillery and Gristmill - Alexandria, VA
Thanks to the passionate work of some spirited archeologists, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, American historians and preservation-minded distillers, the distillery that George Washington ran from 1797 to his death in 1799 was authentically rebuilt and launched more than 200 years after it began at his Mount Vernon estate. Amazing! Twice a year at this working distillery, manager of historic trades Steve Bashore literally stokes the fires that fuel the old ways of whiskey distilling. But even when the stills are silent, it’s more than worth it to tour through this authentic glimpse into the past and see how the founding father himself found ever more spirited uses for his agricultural leanings. A taste of history!

Next time you travel, take a trip to the past and visit these three must-see museums to devour the details of this history and appreciation of adult beverages!