Adelaide

Adelaide Rose Quigley was born into opulence in 19th century Britain. Thought to be named after the wife of King William IV, and the daughter of a railroad owner, Adelaide was in the perfect place to become the typical Victorian lady that many girls in England could only dream about.

However, that was not the life Adelaide dreamed of. Well-schooled and a voracious reader, “Addy” dreamed of being a mystery author like her hero, Agatha Christie. She was also deeply concerned about the education and welfare of the poor, and was often seen reading to young children on the streets of England.

Adelaide decided to leave her beloved home and family to break free of the entrapments of Victorian England. Writing for a handful of newspapers in New York City, Adelaide never wrote the novel as she had dreamed.

However, during a time in which she volunteered at a childrenʼs hospital, Adelaide experimented with an old recipe for an exotic elixir she had read about called Orgeat. Perfecting the balance of almonds, sugar and rose water, Adelaide used the elixir to sweeten the childrenʼs medicines.

Despite her intention to use her Orgeat for the benefit of children, it soon became a staple in bars throughout New York City, as it added a perfectly rich and delicate flavor to many cocktails.