cocktail

A cocktail is a mixed alcoholic drink typically composed of a base spirit combined with one or more modifiers and often diluted with ice or water. Classic cocktails combine a base alcohol with flavoring agents such as liqueurs, syrups, bitters, citrus, and herbs. The preparation methods (shaking, stirring, muddling, and straining) influence texture and clarity, while garnishes enhance aroma and appearance. Cocktails differ from simple mixed drinks by relying on a balance of sweetness, acidity, and strength rather than a single spirit served neat or on the rocks.

The word cocktail has ambiguous origins and first appeared in print in the early 19th century. Definitions have evolved; historically a cocktail referred to a drink of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters, later expanding to any mixed drink with at least two ingredients. The modern cocktail culture emerged in the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the rise of professional bartending, speakeasies during Prohibition, and the postwar expansion of cocktail menus. In recent decades, the craft cocktail movement has emphasized precise recipes, fresh ingredients, and technique.

Cocktails are categorized by base spirit or style, such as whiskey-based old-fashioned and Manhattan; gin-based martini and negroni (with vermouth and bitter); rum-based daiquiri and mojito; tequila-based margarita; vodka-based cosmopolitan, and many other regional variations. Common components include sour elements (citrus juice), sweeteners, bitter tinctures, and diluting ice. Glassware, technique, and garnish contribute to the overall presentation and aroma.

Today, cocktails are a global culinary genre, served in bars, lounges, and restaurants, with ongoing innovation driven by seasonal ingredients, sustainability, and consumer interest in low- or no-alcohol options.