A short history of the cocktail...

1803 First written mention of a “cocktail” as a

beverage, in the US (the text said: “Drank a glass of cocktail, excellent for the head”)

1806 First official definition: “Cock-tail is a stimulating liquor composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters … it renders the heart stout and bold, at the same time that it fuddles the head”

1862 Release of How to Mix Drinks, including 10 cocktail recipes

1917 The first “cocktail party” is thrown, in Missouri 1920-1933 Prohibition in America sees cocktails become popular because of their accessibility over beer and wine

1960s Cocktails decline in popularity

2000s New styles of mixology bring about the rise of a new cocktail culture