What is the
origin of the name "Cocktail"?
 "Shaken, not stirred" is a part of
the language today, and we know where that expression
originated from. Ian Flemings noble action hero James
Bond. But no historians doubt, that the cocktail as
concept originated in America. The term "American
Bar", as it was called in Europe, was introduced in
England in 1859 by Jerry Thomas, one of the most famous
bartenders throughout time (famous for his »Blue
Blazer«). But the term cocktail is even older.
In the american magazine The Balance, in the issue from
May 13. may 1806 you could read: »Cocktail is a
stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind,
sugar, water, and bitters - it is vulgarly called
bittered sling and is supposed to be an excellent
electioneering potion«.
There are several myths on
the origin of the word "Cocktail"...
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| "In the beginning of previous century
there was a lot of fighting between the southern states
and the young king Axolot VIII of Mexico. At the peace-resolution
the american general should meet with the king in his tent,
and the two warlords should enjoy a reconciling drink.
A pretty young woman entered with a magnificent emerald-ornamented
gold cup with a strange drink she had concocted herself.
A gasp came from the assembly of dignitaries, all at the same time
realizing the embarrassment in the situation: since there was only
one cup, either the king or the general had to drink first whereby
the other would be embarrassed. The embarrassing situation was with
one stroke relieved, as the young woman with a silent smile, and a nod to
the king and the general, emptied the cup herself. The situation was
saved. »Who was that woman?« asked the general. »My daughter, Coctel«,
the king replied. The general raised, and bowed to the king, and pronounced
»Coctel shall be famous in my country and all over the world, her name
shall never be forgotten«. And so Coctel became Cocktail!
This story stems back to beginning of 1800.
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| A doctor by name Claudius in the old Rome
did according to reliable sources mix a drink consisting og
wine and lemon juice and dried herbs. This drink he called
"cockwine". Emperor [Lucius Ælius
Aurelius, emperor 180-192]
considered this drink to be an exquisite aperitif, and he had
reputation of being and expert on the area..
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| "Betsy Flanagan, widow after a soldier who fought
in the revolution and herself considered one of
the heroes from the revolution, opened in 1779 an inn near Yorktown where
the american and french soldiers met and had a drink that Betsy had composed,
and was named »Bracer«. Nearby lived an englishman who had some excellent
chickens. Betsy Flanagan could not stand the neighbors, and promised
always to be able to serve her american and french guests roast chicken,
with chickens coming from nightly raids to the arch-enemies farm.
From time to time the officers would mock her, namely when she could not live up to
her promises. One evening, where unusually many officers were gathered,
she ordered them to the living room, where they were served a grand meal
of »Stolen Chickens«. When the meal was over, Betsy ordered the guests to the bar,
where she proudly pointed at the tail-feathers, now used for decorating the bottles with
»Bracer«. This was a positive surprise, and the officers gave three cheers,
for Betsy Flanagan, the colonists cause and the defeat of the englishmen.
Then they began drinking, and continued until early morning. »Lets have some
more cocktail« one proclaimed, and a french officer
enthusiastically shouted »Vive le Cocktail!!!« From "The Spy" by Fenimore Cooper.
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| In a bar in an american harbor, the owner had a
gigantic ceramic container with form as a cock. Every evening
the leftovers from drinks served was poured into this cock.
Less economically fortunate guests could for a cheap price
get a drink from this cock, served from a tap at the tail.
From this came the term cocktail. It was said, that the quality was
especially high the day after english sailors had been visiting,
as there was a good mixture of rum, gin and brandy in the cocktail.
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The settlers in America had,
in spite of the harsh life also time to enjoy sports and games.
It is known that riding and shooting was popular, as well as lassoing was
a popular pastime. What was most sought in the scarce hour off, was the cockfight though.
Just before the start of a cockfight, alcohol was mixed in the cocks food, the
mixture kept as a secret by each team. This mixture increased the fighting spirit
(which also happens for some humans when we get too much to drink), and then the fight
began.
It's from these cock-fights some mixologist think the term cocktail stems.
If the men were to have a fist fight, they were beforehand agitated by a strong drink.
This drink was called "cockpride", and many are of the opinion
that this is the originator of the cocktail. This could be plausible, since there
is a proverb from that time saying: "The cocktail blows him to a man".
The mixologists leaning toward the cockfights also refers to a proverb from the time.
When the fight was over. the owner of the winner cut the tail of the dead cock,
and with raised glass he proudly proclaimed: "Let us have a drink on the cock's tail".
Source: "Cocktail Bogen" af Aloisia og Hugo Jensen, 1967 (danish).
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...Die Bereitung der Sorbets,
der Juleps und anderer Eisgetränke verstand man dagegen im Vorderen
Orient un in Persien. Ja selbst der Begriff Cocktail,
buntshillernder Hahnensweif, scheint aus Alt-Indien importiert zu zein.
Es ist ursprunglich die Bezeignung für Mischblutpferde, die britische Kavallerie
hat sie übernommen und in die neue westindische Kolonie verpflantzt. Europa
wiederum ist seit Hippocrates mit Rezepten zu Kräuterweinmedizinen beschäftigt.
Die Mythen der Hellenen erzählen von den süßen Mischungen, die Hebe,
die Bardame des Olymps, und Ganymed, der schöne Mundschenk der Götter, im
Elysium servierten.
Source: "888 Cocktails" by Aladar von Wesendonk, n.y.
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 The shaker is closely
connected with cocktails. The science of shakers, and how
to use them is widely described.
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