Cocktails are widely popular in almost all countries or cultures. A cocktail can be described as the mixture of drinks; usually one is alcohol, along with other ingredients such as fruit juice, flavored syrup, or cream. Cocktails recipe varies widely across the globe. Thus, there are different kinds of cocktails based on its ingredients. Here are some interesting and fun facts about cocktails for every cocktail fan:

History of cocktails!

The exact origin or the history of cocktail is unclear. However, the word “cocktail” has been mentioned as a beverage in The Farmers Cabinet, 1803 in the United States. Moreover, the first formal definition of cocktail drink was given in The Balance and Columbian Repository, in 1806. Professor Jerry Thomas shared the first ever cocktail recipe in 1862; in first publication of a bartenders’ guide. It was entitled “How to Mix Drinks – The Bon Vivant’s Companion”. Over the course of time, cocktails evolved and gained popularity. The term “cocktail party” was coined by Mrs. Julius S. Walsh Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri in 1917. Today, cocktails are served in almost every restaurant and are popular among people. In addition, the traditional recipe of cocktails is now changed and diversified.

Top 12 amazing and interesting facts about cocktails you shouldn’t miss!

Here are some interesting facts about cocktails!

1. International Bartenders Association (IBA) has an “official” list of cocktails!

Though cocktails are of many kinds, but the International Bartenders Association (IBA) has an official record of all cocktails. As per their guidelines, there are three types of cocktails:

• Unforgettable – for instance Gin Fizz, Sidecar and Negroni
• Contemporary Classics – it includes including Cosmopolitan and Black Russian
• New Era Drinks - it includes Espresso Martini, Dark ‘N’ Stormy and vesper

Besides, this list comes handy during the world cocktail competition.

2. Cocktails were popularized in America by illegal bars or Speakeasies!

During the prohibition of alcohol sale in America, the illegal bars popped up in country. These illegal bars were also known as “speakeasies”. There is an interesting story behind this term. These illegal bars had female bartenders who would quite down loud, noisy customers so as not to be caught. For using the words “speak easy, boy, speak easy”, the term “speakeasies” became popular. Interesting! On the other hand, cocktails became popular as it was the easiest way to disguise the alcohol. Therefore, the bartenders would mix alcoholic beverage with different drinks.

3. This is why there is specific cocktail glass!

The cocktail is served in specific stemmed glass with inverted cone bowl. People often confuse cocktail glass with martini glass. The later one is the subtype. It has v-shaped bowl, longer stem and rounded base. The cocktail glasses have thicker bottom. This prevents the mix-up of non-liquid ingredients before the addition of liquids.

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4. The Black Velvet cocktail was made to mourn the death of Prince Albert!

In 1861, a bartender created the Black Velvet cocktail that contains a layer of Guinness and sparkling wine. It was his unique way to pay homage to the deceased Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband.

5. Atomic cocktail was introduced in 1945, less than an hour after atomic bombing on Hiroshima!

As crazy as it sounds, the atomic cocktail was a real, radium-based, alcoholic beverage. On 6^th August, 1945, less than an hour after the bombing on Hiroshima, the he nattily- dressed barmen of the Washington Press Club made this alcoholic drink that they named “atomic cocktail”. It was served in missile shaped bottles. Of course, the prolonged consumption of this drink had adverse effects.

6. Fun facts about cocktails – their unique names and story behind!

Core is the primary flavor of any cocktail. Proper balance enhances the core with sweetness, acidity and then seasoning. There are six basic cocktails; Old Fashioned, Martini, Daiquiri, Sidecar, Whiskey Highball, and Flip. Furthermore, there is a long list of cocktails and some of these have quite interesting story behind the name or how they were made. Here are some of these: The word “cocktail” was coined by horse dealers in 1700s. In order to cock a horse’s tail and make it appear more spirited for the show, the dealer would give it a ginger suppository. Therefore, adding spices like ginger or pepper to alcoholic beverages also got this name “cocktail”. Cocktail shakers were invented in the late 1860s. Moreover, the drink manuals were specified that some drinks be shaken; some should be mixed in cocktail glass and one should use a fork to stir the drink instead of a spoon.

• Tom Collins

The famous cocktail Tom Collins has main ingredients of gin, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water.  Interestingly, this combination is the result of a Victorian-era hoax. In 1874, in New York, people on a night out would found that a man named Tom Collins had been going around the town slandering and insulting them. Of course they became furious but they set about to find the scoundrel. However, no one knew who the man was. Thus, the pranksters fooled the innocent people. On the other hand, the bartender decided to cash this hoax so they introduced a long citrus Tom Collin cocktail.

• Death in the Afternoon

There is a cocktail “Absinthe and Champagne” or, “Death in the Afternoon” created by Ernest Hemingway. It contains absinthe and champagne and Hemingway published its recipe in his book Death in the Afternoon, in 1932. This cocktail is known for its decadence and potency.

• Screwdriver cocktail

The screwdriver cocktail was originated in 1920 when the Persian Oil Workers couldn’t find the spoon to stir it so they used a screwdriver.

• Rich Dead Nazi

There is this cocktail named “Rich Dead Nazi” and its ingredients are Goldschläger, Jägermeister, and peppermint schnapps.

• A cocktail that is good to cure malaria!

The gin & tonic cocktail is said to be helpful to fight malaria.

• Bloody Mary cocktail

The name of “Bloody Mary” cocktail was inspired by England’s Queen Mary I. she was notorious as “Bloody Mary” because of her fondness for chopping the heads off Protestants. Bloody marry was introduced in 1900s; it’s a blend of tomato juice, vodka and additional spices. The tomato juice represents blood.

• Toronto Cocktail

The “Toronto Cocktail” was first introduced in 1922. This was the time when alcohol was illegal in Ontario, so bartenders decided to disguise the alcohol as cocktail.

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7. Sourtoe Cocktail is served with a mummified toe in it!

Sourtoe Cocktail is served with a real mummified human toe in it. This unique cocktail is severed in a downtown bar in Yukon, Canada. There is this interesting legend about this cocktail that dates back to 1920. It is said that bootlegging brothers who placed one of their frostbitten toes in moonshine as a memen-toe.  The preserved toe was later discovered in 1973 and here the Sourtoe Cocktail Club was born. A huge number of tourists visit the bar to have this unique cocktail. However, keep in mind, you cannot chew or swallow the toe. According to the general manager of the bar, people also donate their toes to them. For instance, they have one big toe donated by  a British Marine who lost it to frostbite during the Yukon Arctic Ultra marathon. Interesting!

8. The Bloody Mary cocktail taste better on a plane!

Another of incredible and interesting facts about cocktails! The famous Bloody Mary cocktail tastes better while on a plane. Here is the scientific reason behind it. The higher altitude affects people’s taste buds, and the drink tasted stronger in the air. Therefore, you feel the stronger and umami flavor of this cocktail.

9. The National Cocktail of Brazil!

Brazil has a national cocktail, the Caipirinha. This cocktail is prepared by mixing fruits sugar, cachaça, and lime together.

10. In 2014, a bartender created a cocktail "The Paper Anniversary" that tastes like money!

The award-winning cocktail that exactly tasted like money was made in 2014 Bombay Sapphire by Remy Savage of Little Red Door in Paris. For this, he used three ingredients; gin, saline solution, and "paper syrup.” Furthermore, Savage was able to source actual bank notes printed at this mill and use them as a garnish. For his unique cocktail, he won the award of Most Imaginative Bartender competition.

11. Guinness world record for the world’s largest cocktail!

The Guinness world record for the world’s largest cocktail is 39,746.82 liters (8,743 UK gal; 10,499 US gal). Nick Nicora made this record on July 13, 2012 in Sacramento, California, USA. The cocktail was a margarita and it was made in a big cocktail shaker.

12. You can have world’s most expensive cocktail in Tokyo!

Tokyo offers you the world’s most expensive cocktail currently available. This cocktail is “Diamond Is Forever”, served at the Ritz-Carlton in Tokyo and it costs you US$22,600. It consists of Grey Goose vodka with a lime twist. The reason why it is so expensive is because it comes with a single one-karat diamond.   So these were some interesting and fun facts about cocktails. Stay tuned for more interesting content.