Sasha Petraske, Man Who Pioneered Modern Cocktail Renaissance, Dies at Age 42

by Emily Lee on Aug 26, 2015 in Culture

The craft cocktail world lost an idol today. Sasha Petraske, the man who pioneered a renaissance of interest in pre-Prohibition era cocktail culture, passed away at his home in Hudson, New York. He was 42 years.

In 1999, Petraske opened Milk & Honey on New York's Lower East Side. The speakeasy-style cocktail den quickly went on the radar for its top-quality booze and elaborate garnishes. If bespoke cocktails weren’t enough to lure customers to the door, the mystique surrounding the tiny bar sure was. Eager New Yorkers needed to acquire a secret phone number to secure a reservation behind 134 Eldridge Street's discrete door.
 
His influence can be seen in countless details now common to cocktail bars around the world, including hidden entrances, a focus on classic cocktails and formal attire worn by bartenders. He also championed the “bartender’s choice” found on many cocktail menus, the use of jiggers to measure out drinks, and even the use of cucumber slices in water glasses.
 
But Petraske’s role as a cocktail innovator and legendary proprietor had a circuitous start. As a teenager, he attended Stuyvesant High School but dropped out to take a job in a cafe. Soon after, he took a cross-country bicycle trip, lived in San Francisco for a while and joined the Army, serving for three years. Back in New York, he worked at Von, a bar in East Village and began to dream of opening his own—one that would reflect his love of jazz, vintage clothes and old-fashioned decorum.
 
Petraske stumbled upon his break when he saw an ad in The Village Voice for a narrow commercial space priced at $800 a month. He learned that the landlord had been a childhood friend of his and promised to run a well-mannered establishment. Broke but determined, Petraske borrowed money from friends and eventually opened Milk & Honey on Dec. 31, 1999. He adopted many stylistic aspects — rules of etiquette, quiet atmosphere, large ice cubes — from Angel’s Share, a bar he admired in the East Village.
 
Petraske went on to open other similarly styled bars with a number of partners, many of them former Milk & Honey bartenders. These included Little Branch in Greenwich Village; Dutch Kills in Long Island City, Queens; Middle Branch in Midtown Manhattan; the Varnish in Los Angeles; and the Everleigh in Melbourne, Australia. Petraske also opened a roomier version of Milk & Honey in London with Jonathan Downey, a British entrepreneur.
 
According to Robert Simonson of The New York Times, Petraske was a man who “gave many bartenders their careers and their names.” Sam Ross, creator of the Penicillin cocktail, cut his teeth at Milk & Honey under Petraske’s guidance. He now operates Attaboy at 134 Eldridge in place of the original Milk & Honey.
 
Simonson says Petraske always maintained “humility and perspective” – qualities not often found in bartenders. “He was an endearing, necessary anomaly, an anti-business idealist who reinvented bartending as a profession."
 
In 2012, Milk & Honey moved to a larger space on West 23rd Street, but the new location did not last long. The building was sold, and a demolition clause in the lease forced him to vacate. Although Petraske had suffered financial setbacks in recent years, he planned to open a third version of the bar. Petraske had also been planning to open a new bar, Falconer, this fall in Brooklyn’s Red Hook neighborhood—a testament to his independence and commitment to the craft cocktail scene.
 
Check out the video below for a little more about Sasha Petraske.

Photo and video via YouTube

 


Tags: Cocktails
Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

For this exciting installment of Behind the Bar, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Liana Oster, the head bartender at Dante in New Yo...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 7, 2020
Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

PBR has launched their own whiskey. Let's keep an open mind and see what is inside this bottle....read more ›

by Carrie Dow Sep 24, 2019
The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

There's a new investigative series about one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the wine world....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Sep 13, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
Try These Summer Cocktails This Season in D.C.

Try These Summer Cocktails This Season in D.C.

It's officially summertime in the city, and we can't think of a better way to cool off from DC's heat and humidity than with a cold, boozy cocktail in...read more ›

by Lanna Nguyen Jul 31, 2019
Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Scientists may have discovered a more environmentally friendly way to make one of the world's most popular spi...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jul 23, 2019
Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Negroni Week 2019 is June 24-30, so drink this classic cocktail for a good cause....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 19, 2019
What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, or cab and feel unsafe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself....read more ›

by Nina Starner Jun 19, 2019
D.C.'s Best Wine Bars

D.C.'s Best Wine Bars

Whether you're a wino or a wine novice, DC is home to a number of wine bars perfect for casual sipping or for expanding your palate. ...read more ›

by Lanna Nguyen May 29, 2019
Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

This time on Behind the Bar, we spoke to Kat Corbo of The Study, who recently won Speed Rack 2019....read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 15, 2019
Where to Drink Outside in D.C. During Summer 2019

Where to Drink Outside in D.C. During Summer 2019

Patio weather has arrived! Grab your friends, stake a spot at the bar and take advantage of these outdoor spots for drinking and dining. ...read more ›

by Lanna Nguyen May 14, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close