Where does the word co*cktail actually come from? - TASTE co*cktails (2024)

Mixing spirits and liqueurswith other ingredients to create a flavourful drink has probably been done since the beginning of time (or at least since the first hard spirits were made).Where does the word co*cktail actually come from? - TASTE co*cktails (1)

However, as with most things in the drinks industry there is a debate about when the term ‘co*cktail’ was first used and where it originates from.

Most agree with the April 28, 1803 article from The Farmer’s Cabinet in Vermont, where to drink a co*cktail was claimed to be “excellent for the head.”

But certainly by 1806, the word was being used with its current meaning. In the May 13th edition of the newspaper, Balance and Columbian Repository, the editor defined a co*cktail as “a stimulating liquor composed of spirits of any kind – sugar, water, and bitters”.

Where did the word actually come from?

As with the first instance of the term, the word itself can be left for debate too..but there are three popular theories which we’ve summarised for you:

The Egg-Cup Theory (Coquetier)

According to the online Etymology Dictionary, the origin of the co*cktail is down to a mispronunciation of the French word for eggcup coquetier (pronounced in English as co*cktay). Apparently, a New Orleans apothecary (and inventor of Peychaud bitters), Antoine Amédée Peychaud, served brandy with his bitters in eggcups in the late 18th century.

The Dregs Theory (co*ck tailings)

“co*ck tailings” was a term used to describe the mixture that was created when tavern owners combined the dregs (tailings) of nearly empty barrels together. The resultingmixture from several barrels would then be sold at a discounted price. This only makes sense when you know that the spigot (tap) of a barrel was sometimes referred to as a “co*ck.”

The Docked Horse Theory (co*ck Tail)Where does the word co*cktail actually come from? - TASTE co*cktails (2)

In the 17th Century the term “co*ck tail” was used to describe an animal with a co*ck(rooster)-like tail, specifically for horses with docked tails. Coach horses and hunt horses tails were often docked for practical purposes. By the 19th century, unlike other horses, thoroughbreds did not have docked tails, so when a regular horse was entered into a race, its co*ck tail was noted.

“I can’t afford a thorough-bred, and hate a co*cktail,” Thackeray wrote in 1842.

There are two possible connections: racehorses withco*cked tails were perky and sometimes friskier than those without, so “co*ck your tail up” became a saying similar to eye-opening. The second possibility is that the horses’ tailshad been changed, and adding other ingredients to create a co*cktail adulterated spirits.Since horse racing and liquor go together like peaches and cream, this theory holds that the word “co*ck tail” was soon used to mean an adulterated spirit.

Image credit: BBC Magazine

Where does the word co*cktail actually come from? - TASTE co*cktails (2024)

FAQs

Where does the word co*cktail actually come from? - TASTE co*cktails? ›

Where did the word actually come from? According to the online Etymology Dictionary, the origin of the co*cktail is down to a mispronunciation of the French word for eggcup coquetier (pronounced in English as co*cktay).

Why do they call co*cktails co*cktails? ›

Some claim that the phrase “co*cktail” originated in New Orleans, where the creator of a well-known bitters by the name of Peychaud was known to serve a mixed brandy drink in a French egg cup called a 'coquetier. ' Over time, fans of the beverage would westernize the pronunciation, eventually landing on 'co*cktail. '

What does co*cktail mean in drinks? ›

co*cktail noun (DRINK)

a drink, usually an alcoholic one, made by mixing two or more drinks together: We were all in the bar sipping co*cktails.

Where does the word co*cktail come from horse? ›

Apparently, ginger was used as a suppository to make a horse stick its tail up. If you had an old horse that you wanted to sell, you would insert a ginger in the horse's behind so that it would 'co*ck its tail up' and look happier and healthier. They would refer to this technique as a “co*cktail”.

What was the first named co*cktail? ›

Accounts differ, but most experts agree that the first co*cktail was the Sazerac, a blend of whisky, absinthe, bitters and sugar. Created in New Orleans in the mid-1800s, this is one of the first co*cktails recognisable by name and remains a favourite to this day.

Who invented the last word co*cktail? ›

The Last Word is a Prohibition-era co*cktail that got its beginnings in the Detroit Athletic Club's bar in the early 1920s. The drink was served at the bar throughout this period and was spread further afield by vaudeville performer Frank Fogarty – also known as the 'Dublin Minstrel.

Who named a co*cktail co*cktail? ›

Eventually, Peychaud named the drink a coquetier, the French term for an eggcup. Peychaud's guests shortened the name to “co*cktay,” and eventually it became “co*cktail.”

Is there a difference between drinks and co*cktails? ›

"A mixed drink has a minimum of two ingredients, but once you get to a third ingredient, it's a co*cktail," says Keith Meicher, head bartender at Sepia in Chicago, who was behind the stick pouring vodka sodas (a mixed drink) and shaking gin with rhubarb and lime (a co*cktail) when I asked him this question.

What is the exact meaning of co*cktail? ›

: a usually iced drink of wine or distilled liquor mixed with flavoring ingredients. : something resembling or suggesting such a drink as being a mixture of often diverse elements or ingredients.

How many drinks is a co*cktail considered? ›

For drinks with two or more ingredients

Depending on the recipe, you can have one, two, or more "standard drinks" (also known as alcoholic drink equivalents) in one co*cktail or mixed drink.

Why is a co*cktail called dirty? ›

However, when you add a splash of olive juice, it adds a cloudy appearance and interesting character to the drink that disrupts the clean flavors but still tastes great. The result is that you've dirtied the martini, thus the name, dirty martini.

What co*cktail is named after an animal? ›

Some 70's sippers include the Greyhound (vodka and grapefruit juice) and its gin counterpart the Salty Dog (gin, grapefruit juice, and a salted rim.) The Horse's Neck is a long drink that dates back to colonial times and mixes rum with hard cider.

Why is alcohol called spirits? ›

Origins of the Term “Spirits”

Alcohol was once thought to have mystical properties that could turn common metals into gold. This magical essence, which was believed to be the substance's life force, was referred to as having a “spirit.”

What is the name of 1 co*cktail drink that was created in and is now popular in Belize? ›

While this is one liquor every Caribbean visitor is encouraged to try, even more impressive is that Rum Punch has been declared the national co*cktail of Belize!

What is the oldest co*cktail in America? ›

Peychaud used Sazerac De Forge et Fils brand of cognac, an Absinthe rinse, sugar, and his house-made bitters. Peychaud called his concoction the Sazerac co*cktail because of the spirit he used and the vessel he served it in. Therefore the Sazerac co*cktail created by Peychaud, is known as the oldest co*cktail in America.

What is the father of all co*cktail? ›

Punch is universally considered the oldest co*cktail, the one from which all others are said to have derived. Of Anglo-Saxon origin, like any self-respecting historical drink, Punch has uncertain origins rooted in legend; even its etymology is controversial.

What was America's first co*cktail? ›

The famed Sazerac Coffee House was founded in New Orleans in 1850 and soon became known as the home of “America's First co*cktail,” the Sazerac. Using rye whiskey (in place of French brandy), a dash of Peychaud's Bitters, and Herbsaint, what eventually became the official co*cktail of New Orleans was created.

Who made the first co*cktail? ›

The drink catechism has long held that co*cktails as we know them were created by “Professor” Jerry Thomas, a pioneering and flamboyant American bartender who published the first bar manual in 1862.

Who made first co*cktail in the world? ›

Who invented the co*cktail? It's a topic that has been debated for decades, with evidence pointing at everywhere from London to Mexico. However, many people believe the honour belongs to Jerry Thomas, a New York bartender nicknamed 'The Professor' due to his in-depth knowledge of blending drinks.

What is the world's first co*cktail brand? ›

The Lucas Bols Company: Masters of Taste

Bols The World's First co*cktail Brand includes the number-one liqueur range globally.

What co*cktail is named after a gun? ›

The French 75 received its name after the French 75-millimeter light field gun used during WWI. Because co*cktail names typically are after events or people, the French 75 is no different.

What is a co*cktail man called? ›

In co*cktail culture the term “mixologist” refers to someone who studies the history of mixed drinks, has a rich appreciation of the ingredients and techniques used, and regularly creates new and innovative mixed drinks.

Who is known as the king of co*cktails? ›

Dale DeGroff (born September 21, 1948, Rhode Island), also known as "the King of co*cktails" or "King co*cktail", is an American bartender and author.

Is Jack and co*ke a co*cktail? ›

“While Jack & co*ke is a co*cktail consumers have known and enjoyed across the world, with origins dating back more than a century, we are proud to officially launch Jack Daniel's & Coca-Cola RTD and bring these two iconic brands together in a RTD format for the first time in the U.S.”

What are the three different types of co*cktails? ›

Bar Basics: Core co*cktail Categories
  • Stirred co*cktails. Stirred co*cktails are spirit forward, boozy drinks that typically consist of a base spirit, a sweetener, and modifiers such as bitters, additional spirits, liqueurs, or fortified wines. ...
  • Sours. ...
  • Highballs. ...
  • Flips, Fizzes, Swizzles, and Smashes.

Are co*cktails an American thing? ›

co*cktails are traditionally thought of as an American innovation, but they were actually at least partly inspired by British punches—big bowls of spirits mixed with fruit juice, spices, and other flavors, consumed in punch houses in the 18th century.

What is a co*cktail without alcohol called? ›

A mocktail is a broad term for a non-alcoholic drink, usually a mixture of different fruit juices, alcohol-free alternatives and fizzy drinks. These often are directly recreating famous co*cktails but with no alcohol.

What's another word for co*cktails? ›

synonyms for co*cktail
  • aperitif.
  • appetizer.
  • drink.
  • wine.
  • mixed drink.

Is co*cktail a medical term? ›

1. A combination of drugs used to treat a disease that would not respond adequately to any of them given alone.

What is the basic co*cktail rule? ›

Here's a good guide to one fundamental rule of drink mixing: You need to include a spirit, something bitter, and something sweet to achieve a balanced drink. When you're mixing up a sour co*cktail, one useful rule of thumb is to aim for 3 parts spirits, 2 parts bitter, and 1 part sweet.

What is the strongest co*cktail? ›

Aunt Roberta

It is made 100% with alcohol and no mixers. In equal parts: gin (40% alcohol), vodka (40% alcohol), brandy (40% alcohol), blackberry liquor (40% alcohol), and absinthe (45% alcohol) are mixed together. Don't let the name of this co*cktail fool you; I'm sure your Aunt Roberta probably wouldn't approve.

What is the most alcoholic co*cktail? ›

Aunt Roberta

Considered to be the strongest co*cktail in the world, this drink contains 100% alcohol, with absolutely no mixers whatsoever. Gin, vodka, absinthe, brandy and blackberry liquor are mixed together in equal parts are used to create this lethal mix.

Why are co*cktails called martini? ›

The name may derive from the Martini brand of vermouth. Another popular theory suggests it evolved from a co*cktail called the Martinez served sometime in the early 1860s at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco, which people frequented before taking an evening ferry to the nearby town of Martinez, California.

What is a vodka martini called? ›

Vodkatini / Vodka Dry Martini - the classic with just vodka and dry vermouth. Vesper - a James Bond's "shaken not stirred" Martini with both gin and vodka. Bearskin Martini - a Vodkatini with a hint of Kümmel. Dry Ice Martini - a Vodkatini martini with Canadian icewine.

Why is a martini called dry? ›

First, 'dry' indicates that very little vermouth has been added to the co*cktail, so the gin is the primary focus. The typical ratio is 6 parts gin to 1 part vermouth. However, order 'extra dry' and you'll get the slightest splash of vermouth, or even just a glass-coating wash.

What is a pink pig co*cktail? ›

Creating a pig-tastic co*cktail that you will love time and time again. Our Pink Pig contains: Gordons Pink Gin, (some of our bars may swap this to Puerto D'Indias Pink Gin) Strawberry Syrup, Cranberry Juice with M&S Percy Pig Sauce all Topped with Lemonade.

What is a Jackie O co*cktail? ›

½ oz crème de cassis. 1 oz brandy or cognac. 1 oz lemon juice. 1 oz sparkling wine. orange peel, for garnish.

What is a whistle pig co*cktail? ›

1 1/2 oz WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye Whiskey. 1/4 oz Maple Syrup. 3 dashes Maple Bitters. Club Soda. Fresh Lemon Peel for garnish.

Why is alcohol banned in Alaska? ›

Pressure by national temperance campaigners led the federal government to once again ban alcohol in Alaska - except for "sacramental" purposes - when the first civil government was brought to the territory in 1884.

What does it say in the Bible about drinking? ›

Christians are allowed by God to drink alcohol, but we are forbidden to get drunk. “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18; also see Proverbs 20:1, 23:20, Isaiah 5:22). This is a command from the Spirit-inspired apostle.

What is the rarest co*cktail? ›

The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo's Diamonds Are Forever Martini holds the title as the most expensive co*cktail at 2,000,000 Yen (nearly $19k USD). The decadent drink is made with chilled Absolut Elyx vodka, a hint of fresh lime juice, stirred or shaken, and sparkling with a one-carat diamond at the bottom of the glass.

What is the most famous co*cktail of all time? ›

1. Margarita. As the most ordered co*cktail in the world, the classic Margarita has been one of the most popular co*cktails in America for years and still remains on top. While there are many variations, the traditional recipe consists of tequila, Triple Sec and lime juice.

What is America's favorite co*cktail? ›

The Most Popular co*cktails List Nationwide
Rankco*cktail
1Margarita
2Martini
3Old Fashioned
4Mimosa
1 more row

What is the co*cktail capital of the US? ›

Slick new drinking dens, booze festivals and a mixology museum are stepping things up in America's co*cktail capital. This article was adapted from National Geographic Traveller (UK).

What is the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world? ›

Chemical analyses recently confirmed that the earliest alcoholic beverage in the world was a mixed fermented drink of rice, honey, and hawthorn fruit and/or grape. The residues of the beverage, dated ca. 7000–6600 BCE, were recovered from early pottery from Jiahu, a Neolithic village in the Yellow River Valley.

Where is the birthplace of American co*cktails? ›

New Orleans: The Birthplace Of co*cktails. Many say co*cktails were invented in New Orleans, with the birth of the Sazerac in the early 1800s.

Which country invented co*cktails? ›

The first written mention of "co*cktail" as a beverage appeared in The Farmers Cabinet, 1803 in the United States. The first definition of a co*cktail as an alcoholic beverage appeared three years later in The Balance and Columbian Repository (Hudson, New York) May 13, 1806.

What are the 6 families of co*cktails? ›

The basic types of co*cktails are the Old Fashioned, Daiquiri, Martini, Whisky Highball, Flip, and Sidecar.

What co*cktail was invented in New York? ›

Manhattan, quintessentially NYC

This short drink that is mixed with a spoon (quite an art) was created in the 1870s at a banquet given by Winston Churchill's mother.

What was the most famous co*cktail of the 1920s? ›

Tom Collins. One of the best 1920s co*cktails: the Tom Collins! This nostalgic co*cktail is about as classic as it gets. This tall highball drink is a essentially gin sour, a sweet and sour drink made with gin.

What co*cktail was invented at a hotel? ›

Bloody Mary

Regis. Legend has it that bartender Fernand Petiot at the King Cole Bar in the St. Regis invented the Bloody Mary in 1934. While “Bloody Mary” was Petiot's original name for the drink, the owners of the hotel believe that it wasn't appropriate for their guests, so it hit the menu as the Red Snapper instead.

What is the difference between a co*cktail and a mixed drink? ›

"A mixed drink is a 'one and;' Jack and co*ke, vodka and tonic, gin and tonic," he says. "A co*cktail is something that takes time to make and create. You figured out that you want pineapple, mango, vodka, and lime, shook it, and poured it into the glass.

When was the last word co*cktail invented? ›

The Last Word is a Prohibition-era co*cktail that got its beginnings in the Detroit Athletic Club's bar in the early 1920s. The drink was served at the bar throughout this period and was spread further afield by vaudeville performer Frank Fogarty – also known as the 'Dublin Minstrel.

What co*cktail was invented in Las Vegas? ›

In 1959, Golden Gate Hotel & Casino introduced its famous, world-recognized, 50-cent shrimp co*cktail. From its early roots at Golden Gate to the legacy it has left today, Las Vegas' Original Shrimp co*cktail® returns to the city at Circa Resort & Casino!

What is the origin of co*cktail? ›

Some claim that the phrase “co*cktail” originated in New Orleans, where the creator of a well-known bitters by the name of Peychaud was known to serve a mixed brandy drink in a French egg cup called a 'coquetier. ' Over time, fans of the beverage would westernize the pronunciation, eventually landing on 'co*cktail. '

Why do they call them co*cktails? ›

In a Mexican tavern, English sailors noticed that mixed drinks were stirred with the root of a plant known as cola de gallo, or in English 'co*ck's tail': the sailors brought the name to England, and thence to the US. Coquetel was a term for a mixed drink in Bordeaux, which rapidly became 'co*cktail' in America.

What is the dark age of co*cktails? ›

1970 to 1990. The Dark Ages of Mixology are a time that bartenders look back upon with mixed feelings.

What is America's oldest co*cktails? ›

Peychaud used Sazerac De Forge et Fils brand of cognac, an Absinthe rinse, sugar, and his house-made bitters. Peychaud called his concoction the Sazerac co*cktail because of the spirit he used and the vessel he served it in. Therefore the Sazerac co*cktail created by Peychaud, is known as the oldest co*cktail in America.

What is the world capital of co*cktails? ›

New York and New Orleans are renowned for having some of the most iconic bars in the U.S., whereas Paris is responsible for the origin of the delectable French 75 co*cktail. As popular as these cities are, however, when it comes to co*cktails, none quite compare to London—AKA the co*cktail capital of the world.

What do you call co*cktails? ›

Yet the phrase “mixed drinks” is used interchangeably with “co*cktail” by many people. And that's how co*cktailSpy.com does it. Whether it's a “co*cktail” or a “mixed drink,” it contains alcohol and at least one other ingredient.

What are the law names for co*cktails? ›

Legal Ease co*cktails
  • Cease & Desist. Cease and Desist. 6 mint leaves. 1 tablespoon sugar. ...
  • Too Legit To Acquit. Too Legit to Acquit. 2 ounces coffee, slightly cooled. 1 ounce vodka. ...
  • Hungover Jury. Hungover Jury. 2 ounces vodka. 1 ounce fresh-squeezed orange juice. ...
  • Reasonable Doubt. Reasonable Doubt. 2 ounces dark rum.
Sep 16, 2021

Does co*cktail mean mix? ›

A lot of people use the phrase "mixed drink" interchangeably with "co*cktail." But while a mixed drink also contains at least two beverages combined, none of the ingredients need to be alcoholic. So while a co*cktail is a type of mixed drink, not all mixed drinks are co*cktails.

Why is it called margarita co*cktail? ›

After mixing in tequila, he named the new concoction after the daisy, "margarita" in Spanish. The second story says the drink was created by Dallas socialite Margarita Sames for her 1948 holiday party. Sames wanted to combine tequila and cointreau to make a soothing drink that was neither too sweet nor too sour.

What is the fancy name for someone who makes co*cktails? ›

In co*cktail culture the term “mixologist” refers to someone who studies the history of mixed drinks, has a rich appreciation of the ingredients and techniques used, and regularly creates new and innovative mixed drinks.

What is the fancy word for making co*cktails? ›

Mixology is a term for mixing drinks and bartending. It is generally used to describe the in depth study of mixing co*cktails using specialist techniques and tricks.

What is the difference between mixology and co*cktails? ›

Mixologists study “mixology,” which is a special study of co*cktails that often requires specialized knowledge of the molecular properties of various ingredients being added to a co*cktail.

What is an illegal bar called? ›

speakeasy, also called blind pig or gin joint, place where alcoholic beverages are illegally sold, especially such establishments in the United States during Prohibition (1920–33). In more recent years the term has also applied to legal bars that are modeled on historical speakeasies.

Why is a drinking bar called a bar? ›

The term derives from the metal or wooden bar (barrier) that is often located along the length of the "bar". Over many years, heights of bars were lowered, and high stools added, and the brass bar remains today. Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons.

What are the two types of co*cktails? ›

Bar Basics: Core co*cktail Categories
  • Stirred co*cktails. Stirred co*cktails are spirit forward, boozy drinks that typically consist of a base spirit, a sweetener, and modifiers such as bitters, additional spirits, liqueurs, or fortified wines. ...
  • Sours. ...
  • Highballs. ...
  • Flips, Fizzes, Swizzles, and Smashes.

What is the dictionary definition of co*cktail? ›

noun. any of various mixed drinks, consisting typically of gin, whiskey, rum, vodka, or brandy, with different admixtures, as vermouth, fruit juices, or flavorings, usually chilled and frequently sweetened.

Why is it called Cointreau? ›

Cointreau Distillery was set up in 1849 by Adolphe Cointreau, a confectioner, and his brother Edouard-Jean Cointreau. Their first success was with the cherry liqueur Guignolet, but they also found success when they blended sweet and bitter orange peels and pure alcohol from sugar beets.

Why is Cointreau called Cointreau? ›

The name Cointreau translates to triple dry in French. Flavor: Cointreau has notes of warm spices and has a nice balance between sweet and bitter. It is more complex than a standard Triple Sec, and has a smoother, clean finish.

Why is Cointreau called triple sec? ›

The origin of the name "triple sec" is disputed. Many sources claim it comes from a triple distillation process used to create the liqueur, but others say that a triple distillation is not used. Several sources say that the term is a translation of the French sec, which can mean both "distilled" and "dry".

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