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Intervistata in occasione del suo ritiro, stimò di avere preparato un milione di cocktail e servito centomila clienti. Women entering any male-dominated profession—including bartending—was almost unheard of, making Coleman’s rise to prominence a historic accomplishment. Di certo, il giorno in cui fu annunciato il suo ritiro ben cinque giornali di Londra ripresero la notizia, a conferma della sua fama.

Morirà nel 1966, alla veneranda età di 91 anni, essendo già diventata una leggenda della mixology.

Ada Coleman – A Trailblazer Behind the Bar

Crafting Classics: Ada Coleman’s Pioneering Spirit at The Savoy

Ada “Coley” Coleman’s name shines brightly in the history of bartending as one of the first female bartenders to achieve international acclaim.

ada coleman bartender song

Non miscela drink, non ancora: lavora nel negozio di fiori dell’albergo.

  • Working Conditions: Barmaids faced long hours, no labor protections, and could be dismissed without cause or forced to pay for customer-caused damages. At the time, women’s roles in society were largely limited to the domestic sphere. This was a time when bartending was dominated by men, but Coleman’s charisma, extraordinary bartending skills, and dedication soon made her a force to be reckoned with.

    Dettaglio importante, quest’ultimo, perché alla morte del genitore fu proprio D’Oyly Carte a offrirle un lavoro in uno degli hotel di sua proprietà. Un tipo che, parola di Ada, era il meglio del meglio quando si trattava di esprimere un giudizio su un cocktail.

  • The State of Barmaids in Early 1900s England

    • Report on Employment of Barmaids: A 1905 publication by the joint committee discussed the moral and health concerns of women working as barmaids.

      Her life reminds us that bartending has always required not just skill but passion, artistry, and a dedication to making the guest’s experience unforgettable.

      Let us raise our glasses to Ada “Coley” Coleman—a woman whose life and legacy crafted the soul of modern mixology.


    Written by

    Isaac Ergas, Editor-in-Chief of Bartending News and founder of FindBartenders.com and 786-Bartend, brings 33 years of bartending and 20 years of industry education.

    Her most renowned creation, the Hanky Panky cocktail, has stood the test of time as a classic in the cocktail canon.

    In need of income, Coleman accepted a post in the hotel’s flower shop before being transitioned to service in the hotel’s American Bar, where she was promoted to head bartender in 1903.

    Coleman’s warm personality, passion for customer service, and groundbreaking mixology skills earned the bar an elite clientele—Coleman counted among her customers Charlie Chaplin, Mark Twain, and the Prince of Wales.

    It was for one of her regulars, comedy actor Charles Hawtrey, that Coleman created the drink that would become her signature—the Hanky Panky.

    The iconic drink, comprised of gin, vermouth, and Fernet Branca, is still served at the Savoy today, and was recognized by Drinks International in 2015 as one of the world’s 50 best-selling cocktails.

    Ada Coleman retired from service in 1925 when the American Bar was closed for renovations.

    Her legend lives on at American Bar, where she was the only woman to hold the post of senior bartender for nearly 100 years, until Philippa “Pippa” Guy was announced to the position in 2017.

    In 2016, Liquor.com named Ada Coleman one of the nine most important bartenders of all time.

    Ada Coleman died in 1966, at age 91.

    Before ascending to the role of head bartender at the Savoy’s prestigious American Bar, she gained experience as a barmaid at a local British club.

    They reportedly did not speak to each other, partly because Burgess was unable to replicate Coleman's popular cocktails when she was absent.

  • Ada Coleman Project: An organization aiming to increase inclusivity and representation of women in bartending roles, using Ada's legacy as inspiration. Her leadership at the Savoy as a woman in one of the world’s most prestigious bars was a rarity that challenged societal norms and demonstrated the potential for inclusivity in the hospitality industry.

    Her rise came roughly a generation after Jerry Thomas, the “Father of American Mixology,” had elevated bartending into a respected profession.

    Beyond her creative flair, Coleman was known for her meticulous attention to detail and an innate ability to perfectly balance bold flavors.


    Ada Coleman at The Savoy

    During her time at the Savoy, Coleman served a host of distinguished patrons, ranging from members of royalty to 1920s-era celebrities and political elites.


  • Social Attitudes: There was a push to phase out barmaids due to perceived moral risks and the belief that women should not work in bars.
  • Post-Retirement: Little is known about her life after leaving the Savoy; she died in 1966 at age 91. Non solo: rivela un talento fuori dall’ordinario, dal punto di vista tecnico e creativo.


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    Ada Coleman, la regina della mixology

    Parlare di Ada Coleman significa fare un salto indietro nel tempo di circa 120 anni e puntare lo sguardo sulla città di Londra.