2. 

is an alcoholic mixed drink that contains two or
more ingredients—at least one of the
ingredients must be a spirit.
Cocktails were originally a mixture of spirits,
sugar, water, and bitters. It now means almost
any mixed drink that contains alcohol. A
cocktail today usually contains one or more
kinds of spirit and one or more mixers, such
as soda or fruit juice. Additional ingredients
may be sugar, honey, milk, cream, and
various herbs.

3. 


March 20, 1798- first recorded use of the
word cocktail is found in The Morning Post and
Gazetteer in London, England
April 28, 1803 - first recorded use of the
word cocktail in the United States is said to be
in The Farmer's Cabinet
May 13, 1806 - A definition of cocktail appeared
in The Balance and Columbian Repository, a
publication in Hudson, New York, in which an
answer was provided to the question, "What is
a cocktail?" It replied:

4. 
Cock-tail 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, inasmuch as it
renders the heart stout and bold, at the same time
that it fuddles the head. It is said, also to be of great
use to a democratic candidate: because a person,
having swallowed a glass of it, is ready to swallow
any thing else
1862 - The first publication of a bartenders’ guide
which included cocktail recipes - How to Mix Drinks; or,
The Bon Vivant's Companion, by "Professor" Jerry
Thomas.

5. 

May 1917 - The first "cocktail party" ever
thrown was allegedly by Mrs. Julius S. Walsh
Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri
1920–1933 - Prohibition in the United States
when alcoholic beverages were illegal, cocktails
were still consumed illegally in establishments
known as speakeasies. The quality of liquor
available during Prohibition was much worse
than previously. There was a shift
from whiskey to gin, which does not require
aging and is therefore easier to produce
illicitly.

6. 

late 1960s and in the 1970s - Cocktails became
less popular as other recreational drugs became
common.
1980s - cocktails again became popular,
with vodka often substituted for gin in drinks
such as the martini. Traditional cocktails and
gin began to make a comeback in the 2000s.

7. 

late 1960s and in the 1970s - Cocktails became
less popular as other recreational drugs became
common.
1980s - cocktails again became popular,
with vodka often substituted for gin in drinks
such as the martini. Traditional cocktails and
gin began to make a comeback in the 2000s.