how did alcoholic drinks get the name COCKTAILS?

Answer 1

The earliest known printed use of the word "cocktail," as originally determined by Dr. David Wondrich in October 2005, was from "The Farmer's Cabinet", April 28, 1803, p [2]: "11. Drank a glass of coctail--excellent for the head ... Call'd at the Doct's. found Burnham--he looked very wise--drank another glass of cocktail."

The second earliest and officially recognised known printed use of the word "cocktail" (and the most well-known) was in the May 13, 1806 edition of the Balance and Columbian Repository, a publication in Hudson, New York , where the paper provided the following answer to what a cocktail was:

"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."
The first publication of a bartenders' guide which included cocktail recipes was in 1862: How to Mix Drinks; or, The Bon Vivant's Companion, by Professor Jerry Thomas. In addition to listings of recipes for Punches, Sours, Slings, Cobblers, Shrubs, Toddies, Flips, and a variety of other types of mixed drinks were 10 recipes for drinks referred to as "Cocktails". A key ingredient which differentiated "cocktails" from other drinks in this compendium, was the use of bitters as an ingredient, although it is not to be seen in very many modern cocktail recipes.

During Prohibition in the United States (1919-1933), when alcohol possession was illegal, cocktails were still consumed in establishments known as speakeasies. Not only was the quality of the alcohol available far lower than was previously used, but the skill and knowledge of the bartenders would also decline significantly during this

Answer 2

The earliest known printed use of the word "cocktail," as originally determined by Dr. David Wondrich in October 2005, was from "The Farmer's Cabinet", April 28, 1803, p [2]: "11. Drank a glass of coctail--excellent for the head ... Call'd at the Doct's. found Burnham--he looked very wise--drank another glass of cocktail."

The second earliest and officially recognised known printed use of the word "cocktail" (and the most well-known) was in the May 13, 1806 edition of the Balance and Columbian Repository, a publication in Hudson, New York , where the paper provided the following answer to what a cocktail was:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocktail

Answer 3

According to the Straight Dope, "There are as many proposed origins for the word as there are girlie-drinks in a fern bar. The first recorded use of 'cocktail' was in 1806, and it seems fairly accepted that it is of American origin."

The article goes on to reference English fermentation, botched translations and other possible sources. In the end, pick the one that works best for you.

Answer 4

Because in former times c o c k wasn't a four-letter word and was used for a male hen, a rooster. Since roosters have a multicoloured tail the metaphoric connexion with the drink with multiple ingredients was easy enough.

Answer 5

There are many theories, none of which I recall, but the OED says the question remains unanswered. I'm inclined to agree. Them English boys is clever.

Answer 6

ever watch the cartoon ducktales ? well cocktails was named after a slightly more adult version, Scrooge mc duck and his three nephwes, go figure.

Answer 7

a faucet in colonial u.s. replace into called a "cock" and its dregs stated as "tail." Upon tasting the vile blend, one disgusted customer proclaimed, "Hereafter i visit drink cocktails of my very own brewing," and proceeded to concoct his very own mixed drink.

Answer 8

Break the word down...
The first part -cock-comes out when too much is consumed
The second part-tail- is what you receive when too much is consumed