The Medicinal History of Cocktails and Spirits

🍸 What if your cocktail started as medicine?Nearly every ingredient behind the bar has a surprising history as medicine. In this lecture, cocktail historian and Doctors and Distillers author Camper English takes apart the classic 1930s drink Corpse Reviver No. 2—a mix of gin, citrus, liqueur, fortified wine, and absinthe—to reveal the wild and wacky ways all of its ingredients were used to treat different conditions.From the juniper to thwart plague and citrus against scurvy to quinine for malaria and wormwood to expel internal parasites, many of today’s cocktail staples were once employed to cure disease and prevent death—often with questionable results! Through the lens of one famous drink, this talk uncovers the long and unappreciated relationship between cocktails and medicine, showing how the contents of our liquor cabinets and medicine cabinets were once one and the same. 💊

Limited copies of Doctors and Distillers will be for sale at the event. You can reserve one in advance at this link - but purchase your admission ticket here first to ensure you’ll be there to pick it up!

Learn more about Camper English at his website Alcademics.com.

🕰 Event Details

​​​​What should I expect?

​​7:00-7:35 --> arrival & chats

​​7:35-8:20 --> lecture

​​​​​8:20-9:00 --> q&a and more chatting

​​​​Who's invited?

​​​​Anyone with an interest in learning new things, meeting new people, and doing fun things on weeknights! Lots of people came solo to our last event, so don't be afraid to do the same—you’ll meet some awesome people!

​​​​What about parking?

​​​​There's no parking on-site, so we recommend street parking or using public transportation.

​​Do I have to be 21+?

​​​​Yes! This lecture is hosted at a bar that requires all occupants to be 21+.

​​Will this event be photographed or recorded?

​​Photos and short video clips may be taken for promotional purposes. By attending, you consent to being photographed or recorded. We do not do full recordings of lectures at this time.

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​​🧾 Policies

​​​The lecture is sold out! Can I join a waitlist?

​​​Unfortunately, Luma does NOT support waitlists for paid events yet. We recommend checking back on the event site the day before / the day of the event! Attendees are likely to drop out.

​​​​What about refunds?

​​You can refund your ticket up to 24 hours before the event starts. Since this is a limited-space event, we encourage you to update your RSVP if you can’t make it—this helps us keep spots open for others. NOTE - you do NOT need to email us for a refund, we will issue one within 48 hours upon changing your RSVP to "Not Going" :)​

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​​🧠 Community Guidelines

​​Big Brain events are designed to be welcoming, curious, and respectful spaces for learning and connection.

​​By attending, you agree to treat speakers, staff, venue employees, and fellow attendees with respect and to follow all venue rules and staff instructions.

​​Harassment, disruptive behavior, or excessive intoxication will not be tolerated. For the safety and comfort of everyone, Big Brain and the venue reserve the right to refuse entry or remove any attendee at any time, without refund, if behavior is deemed unsafe, disruptive, or disrespectful.

​​🍸 Alcohol & Safety

​​Depending on the venue, alcohol may be sold and served exclusively by the venue in accordance with California law. Big Brain is not responsible or liable for alcohol service, overconsumption, or any actions resulting from intoxication. By attending, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with a public indoor event and agree that you are solely responsible for your own conduct, safety, and transportation before, during, and after the event.

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