History of Cocktails

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a "Cocktail" as "an iced drink of wine or distilled liquor mixed with flavoring ingredients."

The word, which was originally meant to describe a concoction of distilled alcohol with any type flavored ingredient, has gradually come to encompass basically any mixed bevarage, alcoholic or non-alcoholic, depending on whom you ask.

As to the origins of the name, I've heard varying stories, few of which can be substantiated by verifiable documents. Nonetheless, I've listed several of the most common, endearing (and at times, bizarre) stories I've heard over the years.

History of Cocktail #1

When tracing the history of cocktails, one cannot do without the story about cocktails and breakfast.

Cocktails were originally a morning drink - back in the turn of the century, and even before, most men would wake up and start off the day with a bit of alcohol.

The cock in "Cocktail," therefore, stems from the metaphor for the rooster that would herald the beginning of the day. The tail part of "Cocktail" was used to refer to the tail end of the day because traditionally, people would end the day with an evening drink, usually right after dinner.

Join the two words together, and you get "Cocktail." - Source: Ted Haigh Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails

History of Cocktails #2

The history of cocktails cannot be complete without mentioning this crazy origin story.

One bartender told me this story, which I thought was quite amusing. During the early 20th century, mixed alcoholic drinks would be served with a feather from a cock's tail.

Some say the feather was meant simply for decoration, while other posit that it was meant as a signal for teetotalers that the drink contained alcohol. With the passing of various city health codes, however, this tradition soon came to an end.

Thank goodness!

History of Cocktails #3

Colonial taverns used to keep their spirits such as brandy, gin, brandy, and rum in casks.

As the liquid in the casks lowered, the dregs or pulp of the distillate, would gather at the bottom. These were referred to as "tails" whiled the barrel itself was knows as the "cocks."

Instead of throwing these distillate away, the tavern keeper would combine the "tails" into an additional cask, which would then sell at a reduced price. Patrons would put in special requests for these cheaper drinks, which were known as "Cock Tailings" - aka the tailings from the cask, or the cock.

History of Cocktails #4

Another story that alludes to the rooster has to do with cockfights. Before they would let loose the fighter cocks, people would feed them sips of mixed spirits.

Hence the word "Cocktail."

History of Cocktails #5

According to this theory, the word may have originated in the colorful array of feathers found on a rooster's tail, paralleling the colorful mixtures normally found in various cocktails.

This story would've made sense, however, back in the day, most spirits used to make drinks were quite bland, and without vibrant colors.

History of Cocktails #6

Cocktail may have been derived from the French word for egg cup, which is "Coquetel."

One story tells the tale of Antoine Amedie, a doctor from New Orleans, who mixed his bitters with other herbal ingredients for a stomach remedy served in a coquetel.

The word would eventually come to be pronounced as Cocktail as not all Americans were savvy enough to pronounce the French correctly.

History of Cocktails #7

The word may have its origins from a well known Aztec goddess, Xochitl. Xochitl was also the name of a Mexican princess who served drinks to American soldiers.

So there you have it - the run down on cocktail history.

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