What we wrote in 2008: “We do know that the term [cocktail] originated in America, showing up in publications around the early 19th century. All featured products are curated independently by our editors. So the term may have come to be applied to alcoholic drinks that were similarly blended rather than pure spirits. According to drinks historian David Wondrich, the recipe first appeared in 1927 at the height of Prohibition in a book called “Here’s How” that was published by a New York humor magazine. The most refreshing summer cocktail around! Another fantastic tidbit from the Saveur article by Wondrich is that George Washington, while arranging the surrender of New York by the British, hosted a sort of cocktail hour at which he offered wine and bitters. Patrons wanting this cheaper alcohol would come in asking for ‘cock tailings.’, Another popular story comes from New Orleans, where an apothecary by the name of Peychaud (of bitters fame) served a mixed brandy drink in a French eggcup. Bonus points if you serve it in the iconic copper mug, but it tastes just as good from any other glass. ARRIVE. We are also a full wine bar and serve craft cocktails & local hand-crafted brews on tap. You may unsubscribe at any time. At any rate, you know what you have to do at your next cocktail party: Ask everyone if they know the origin story of the word, and if they don’t, regale them with the whole tale (but try not to make anyone who repeats one of the older, now-debunked theories feel like a horse’s ass for being behind the times). 1 1/2 shots vanilla vodka; 1/2 shot passionfruit liqueur (like Passoa) And olives, in some cases. A Molotov cocktail is a simple type of improvised incendiary device. No summer plans? Peychaud’s guests shortened the name to ‘cocktay,’ and eventually it became ‘cocktail.'”. Tip Top Canned Cocktails Classic cocktails are easier than ever to find thanks to canned versions like these from Tip Top. Check out all funny articles and original content by Cracked's witty columnists. And a zesty orange twist for garnish. Wonder what Mencken would have made of that…not to mention mocktails. As ginger and pepper were also common ingredients used to liven up alcoholic drinks (and by extension, their imbibers), the theory is that the term “cock-tail” was applied to those invigorating libations after the practice of unpleasantly surprising the poor horses with spicy suppositories. Eventually the drink was named coquetier, the French term for an eggcup. When the casks got near empty, the dregs, or tailings, would be mixed together into one barrel and sold at a reduced price—poured from the spigot, which was referred to as the cock. Blue Hawaiian Recipe Transport yourself somewhere sunny and relaxing with this tropical pineapple and coconut cocktail. Classic cocktails range from elegant three-ingredient drinks to frothy, fruity concoctions. Of all the ones Mencken researched, he thought this to be the most likely: During the Colonial period, tavern keepers stored their spirits in casks. DEPART. Drink less, but better. Peychaud’s guests shortened the name to ‘cocktay,’ and eventually it became ‘cocktail.'”. Type “origin of word cocktail” into your search engine and you may see a dictionary entry that explains the term cock-tailed originally described a horse with a docked (or clipped-short) tail, and “cock-tailed” became a sort of pejorative for racehorses without thoroughbred pedigrees—with mixed lineage, if you will. Even later on, “cocktail” came to encompass all the many variations of boozy tipples both shaken and stirred that we enjoy today, and the origin of the word itself faded into blessed obscurity—until the intrepid Wondrich unearthed it for our collective benefit. Give guests something to sip on while they’re digesting their newfound knowledge. Uncle Nearest 1856 Premium Whiskey.