A cocktail is a beverage made by mixing several ingredients. Some people think that this is exclusively a female beverage. However, it is not so. For instance, a vodka gimlet (known as a Screwdriver) or a Bloody Mary is often consumed by men as well. There is an abundance of cocktail recipes, which may consist of several alcoholic beverages combined with different juices, syrups, and puree. Nevertheless, do you know who devised cocktails? What country is commonly believed to be the motherland of these alcohols?
History of Cocktails from Different Countries
One of the reasons for the huge quantity of various alcoholic cocktails is that they were invented in different countries. So many types of alcohol, concocting techniques, and ways of serving – it is amazing how inventive human imagination can be.
England. The first records about cocktails, or as they used to be referred to as a “cock-ale”, are found in the descriptions of cockfights, which in old times were a popular entertainment for the public. The mixed drink included a strong alcoholic basis and bitter natural infusions. It was popularly believed that such alcohol might bolster the morale, help to get the victory and prevail.
Spain. Spanish passage “cola de gallo” (cock’s tail) is considered another origin of the modern “cocktail”. As remembered by American sailors, who went ashore at the Gulf of Mexico, there was a tool used by a bartender to mix beverages that looked like a cock’s tail. It was a root of a plant with leaves that resembled big feathers.
The USA. The first written record about a cocktail came to us exactly from the United States – a New York newspaper, dated by the beginning of the 19th century, contained an article where a cocktail was mentioned as a mixture of strong alcohol, liqueur, and sugar. Since the beginning of the 20th century, there was an active dry law (National Prohibition Act), and Americans liked to drink alcoholic beverages when they visited Cuba. The most popular cocktail was the mixture of rum with cola. Its name and recipe remained unchanged until today, it is known under the name Cuba Libre, and it can be found almost at any pub all over the world.
France. According to one of the versions the word “cocktail” is derived from the French word coquetiers – the word that meant glasses for alcoholic beverages made in a sophisticated manner. History tells us about a French pharmacist who opened one of the first pubs in New Orleans. Except for the traditional alcoholic beverages, he offered different mixtures with strong alcohols, natural infusions, and sugar.
Another interesting version also takes its origin from France – the country of many different sorts of wine. The alcohol was called “coquetel”, and it was based on wine in combination with juice, fruits, and other ingredients.
China. The idea to mix various beverages was not new in the 19th and 20th centuries, since the old Chinese more than three thousand years ago mixed different berry and fruit juices. In order to mitigate the temperature and strength of a beverage they added some snow or ice to it. Even though those old times did not provide us with any records about alcohol, the combination of different ingredients allowed us to try some new and exotic flavors.
The First Alcoholic Mixed Drink in History
When discussing the first alcoholic cocktail in history, researchers often point to simple blends of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. This combination is sometimes referred to as the very first alcoholic mixed drink, paving the way for more complex recipes. Although pinpointing the exact moment is difficult, written records from the early 19th century show how these drinks gradually became part of everyday social life. The question when alcoholic cocktails were invented is closely tied to this period, marking the transition from individual spirits to crafted beverages.
The Evolution of Alcoholic Cocktails Through Time
The history of alcoholic cocktails recipes shows that early formulas were modest, often containing just a few ingredients. Over the decades, bartenders experimented with syrups, fresh fruit, and new techniques, which changed not only the taste but also the culture around drinking. The alcoholic cocktail invention timeline spans centuries — from traditional taverns and colonial trade routes to glamorous hotel bars and today’s craft mixology scene. By examining how alcoholic cocktails evolved, we can see how each generation added its own twist, making cocktails both a reflection of history and a creative art form.
Vodka Nemiroff in Cocktails
Vodka is one of the most popular ingredients used by bartenders to concoct alcoholic cocktails. It allows to strengthen the flavor of the original mix making it strong. The company Nemiroff offers two categories of strong alcohol: vodka and liqueur (21%). We produce 13 titles of strong alcohol, which differ in flavor, filtration, strength, and maintenance. In the next article, we will tell you about exotic cocktails that can be based on vodka Nemiroff.
