To honor world-renowned performer, WWII spy, and activist Josephine Baker, Do It for the Cocktail Culture has collaborated with Avec Drinks to bring you The Creole Goddess Cocktail.
We LOVE what Lashana Daniels has stared at Do It For the Cocktail Culture, which explores Black culture through the lens of the liquor industry and promotes Black contributions in celebratory ways. One of the fun things is telling stories of Black historical figures through a “Cocktale Hour” experience, which has recipes in honor of a person and then a fun event to follow. PS. You definitely should reach out to her about this she can craft a cocktail about you/a friend too!
Below find the story behind the Cocktale - as written by Lashana
Josephine was born in St Louis, Missouri, with showbiz in her blood. Highlighting young Josephine’s beginnings in the “Show-Me'' state, we created a rum mule-inspired cocktail utilizing Avec’s low sugar ginger beer alternative to reference Missouri’s state animal, the mule.
When Josephine was 16, she lived in New York and worked her way up to a chorus line dancer in Broadway's groundbreaking Black play Shuffle Along. To celebrate her participation in the Harlem Renaissance, we have used HH Bespoke Spirits’ dark aged rum. The HH Bespoke Spirits brand is inspired by the style and cultural history of Harlem's past.
At 19 years old, Josephine moved to Paris to dance, further her career, and eventually became a headliner. The Creole Goddess cocktail celebrates Josephine’s stardom in the “City of Light” and is named after her beloved French given nickname.
During one of her performances, Josephine danced on stage wearing nothing but a banana skirt, jewelry, and sandals. We added French liqueur brand Giffard’s Banane du Brésil to pay homage to this iconic performance.
Josephine enjoyed wealth and success in France until she was forced to flee when Nazi Germany invaded Paris. During WWII, she was recruited by French counter-military intelligence to be a spy. After completing a slew of dangerous missions, Josephine was declared a national hero. To salute Josephine’s fighting spirit and her dedication to France, we have included Black-owned Josephine Baker tribute cognac brand Sephina Spirits to commemorate this honorable moment and her empowering story.
