Introducing SLTN’s Spirit of the Sixties Cocktail Competition finalists

Flowers in her hair

By Lauren McIntosh, The Cocktail Joint

“Marsha P Johnson was one of the most prominent figures of the gay rights movement in the 60s and 70s. A black transgender woman who made such an impact in her short life. She was a hero. 

Alongside Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P Johnson founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), an organisation dedicated to sheltering young transgender individuals shunned by their families. 

She was also at the Stonewall Inn on the evening of June 28th 1969 when the riots began. In the wake of this, Marsha and Sylvia led a series of protests. She then began performing for a drag group called ‘Hot Peaches’. 

This gained the attention of Andy Warhol, who painted and included her in his series ‘Ladies and Gentlemen’. 

In light of recent events in America, with Donald Trump sharing an article including the pink triangle, a symbol used by Nazi Germany to highlight a homosexual, I really wish we were taught about the events of Stonewall and heroes like Marsha P Johnson in school; it might let the world realise we just love who we love and want to be who we want to be.

Lavender-infused Absolut celebrates lavender marriages and Absolut being absolutely amazing supporters of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Briottet Creme de Peche works subtly and represents Marsha’s drag group, layering in some stone fruits for Stonewall with a cordial consisting of cherries, lychees and some plums, sugar and acids, rounding off with pink soda to remind us of what’s happening today, 55 years on from the revolution that started a change.”

Flowers in her hair:

• Lavender-infused Absolut

• Briottet Creme de Peche

• Stone fruit cordial (cherries, lychees & plums)

• Pink soda

• Garnished with edible flowers.