Moonwalk

Joe Gilmore

Jan 11

Here’s a toast to the moon age, a celebration of humankind’s achievements in science and a time when our dreams and our ambition walked together on the surface of the moon. Like Stephan Baumegger, who created this beautifully puzzling homage to that time and accomplishment, there were many others who were moved by the event. Joe Gilmore was the head barman at the iconic American Bar at the Savoy Hotel in London in 1969, when he, along with the whole world, was captivated by the moon landing zeitgeist. Joe joined the Savoy when he was just 18, and was the last direct protégé of Harry Craddock, the most famous head barman there.

Joe’s Moon Walk cocktail was a refreshing champagne sparkler, with grapefruit bitters (or juice) and orange liqueur. Historically, Joe sent a flask of his creation to NASA, and it was the first thing that the crew drank after they got back to Earth. Neil Armstrong even sent Joe a letter, care of the Savoy hotel. Joe never made it to the moon, but he lived to shake his famous cocktail at the bar until the age of 90, and lived to be 93, when he left for the stars. Cheers!