What is the origin of the word 'cocktail'?

Answer 1

According to historians Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown the earliest known printed use of the word "cocktail" appeared in London's Morning Post and Gazetteer, March 20, 1798. It was in a satirical list of drinks ordered by politicians in the Axe and Gate tavern on the corner of Downing Street and Whitehall, in the heart of British politics:1

Mr Pitt, two petit vers of "L'huile de Venus"

Ditto, one of "perfeit amour"

Ditto, "cock-tail" (vulgarly called ginger)

1. Anistatia Miller and Jared Brown (2009). Spirituous Journey, A History of Drink, Book Two: From Publicans to Master Mixologists. Mixellany Limited. ISBN 9781907434068

The earliest known printed use of the word "cocktail" in the United States was in The Farmer's Cabinet, April 28, 1803:2

"Drank a glass of cocktail - excellent for the head . . . Call'd at the Doct's. found Burnham - he looked very wise - drank another glass of cocktail."

2. David Wondrich (2007). Imbibe!: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a Salute in Stories and Drinks to "Professor" Jerry Thomas, Pioneer of the American Bar. Perigee Trade.

Answer 2

An alcoholic drink, usually consisting of distilled sprits, and a non-alcoholic mixer. One bartender garnished his drinks with a brightly colored feather from the tail of a rooster (known as a Cock) , and dubbed his drink "Le Cock Tail"