While classic cocktails have become regular fixtures within American mixology, there were times when this wasn't so. Delve into the narrative of the re-emergence of these nostalgic drinks, with a special focus on the Gin Blossom, which led the charge in the cocktail revival of 2008. The woman at the helm of this mixology revolution was Julie Reiner, a New York-based bar owner, author, and innovator renowned for deviating from the normative usage of pre-mixed bottles and infusing her artisanal spirit into her drinks.

Armed with her rich Hawaiian background where she frequently picked fresh ingredients from her parents’ backyard for their cocktail parties, Reiner set the stage for a revolution in the cocktail world. She honed her skills in San Francisco's Red Room during the 1990s, before making the shift to New York with her wife and future business partner, Susan Fedroff. Here, she brought to life the cocktails of the bygone era at West Village’s C3 bar, impressing critics such as Dale DeGroff, author of The Craft of the Cocktail.

Reiner made a statement in the industry in 2003 with the opening of Flatiron Lounge. A passion project built around a historical Art Deco bar, the Lounge featured a vintage cocktail roster inspired by old recipes that some thought to be obsolete. Deep-diving into antique books, Reiner yearned to recreate these forgotten concoctions with ingredients thought to be long phased out.

In the midst of her quest to impart a vintage feel to her soon-to-launch Brooklyn venture, Clover Club, she was approached by Eric Seed, the founder of Haus Alpenz. His salvaging expeditions to Europe in search of lost cocktail components helped Reiner realize her dream cocktail with long-lost enigmas like apricot liqueur and eau-de-vie.

Reiner brought to life the Gin Blossom, a revamped version of the martini designed to cater to the masses. Taking inspiration from the original 50/50 martini formula, it comprised gin and the newly sourced eau-de-vie on an equal footing, allowing inexperience drinkers to find it accessible. The addition of apricot eau-de-vie, possessed of a strong yet nuanced apricot essence, played a crucial role, providing a fruity depth to the mix.

Refusing to be overwhelmed by robust spirits, Reiner opted for a citrus-enhanced Plymouth gin for the Gin Blossom, crafting what she terms as 'a martini for the masses'. This drink stood apart from the intensely boozy cocktails which were the event of those times. The Gin Blossom found mass appeal and has never really left the menu since, becoming a constant through various interpretations across media.

Today, Reiner reflects on the impact of her iconic Gin Blossom, with no intention of changing a single detail. Even as the cocktail world continues to evolve and while she continues to launch new ventures like The Saloon and a reprise of the famous ’90s bar, Milady’s. However, the Gin Blossom remains a classic that can only be savoured at Clover Club, a symbolic representation of a time when creativity was rediscovered in American mixology.

Ultimately, the Gin Blossom wasn't just a fruitful venture for Reiner's career but also found a special place in her personal life. This classic cocktail remains her wife’s favorite drink.