Category:Cocktails

Although the word Cocktail is now widely used to mean any mixed drink, alcoholic or otherwise, it did at one point in time refer to a specific type of mixed drink.

Earliest Use of the word "Cocktail"

"The Farmer's Cabinet", April 28, 1803.

"Drank a glass of cocktail -- excellent for the head ..."

"Call'd at the Doct's. found Burnham -- he looked very wise--drank another glass of cocktail."

Earliest Complete Definition of the word "Cocktail"

Balance and Columbian Repository, May 13, 1806

"Cocktail is a stimulating liquor composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters--it is vulgarly called a bittered sling and is supposed to be an excellent electioneering potion, inasmuch as it renders the heart stout and bold, at the same time that it fuddles the head. It is said, also to be of great use to a Democratic candidate: because a person, having swallowed a glass of it, is ready to swallow anything else."