For some , the term `` mixologist '' suggests pretension and expensive drinks . It's a bit of an oxymoron to say that you're not really a mixer if your drink isn't made by someone else ( or at least it should be ) DeGroff and others say the term helps differentiate beer slingers from barkeeps who study the craft of cocktail making .
For some , the term `` mixologist '' suggests pretension and expensive drinks . Dating to the 1850s , the term was resurrected by New York bartender Dale DeGroff in the 1980s . DeGroff and others say the term helps differentiate beer slingers from barkeeps who study the craft of cocktail making .