Alcoholic mixed drink called braggets made of ale and mead are known to have been popular in the 14th century, while mint julep is believed to have been made first in 18th century Virginia and served as a morning eye-opener.

Over the last 200 years many stories have emerged to explain the origin of the term cocktail. In his 1933 work The Cocktail Book - A Sideboard Manual for Gentleman, John MacQueen tells the legend of the cock's tail and of the lovely young girl called Daisy Who invented it. The story goes that during the American War of Independence, the innkeeper of the Bunch of Grapes and a keen fan of the bloody sport of cock-fighting, discovered that Jupiter, his prize bird, was missing. Some time later, a young officer rode into town with Jupiter under his arm. Squire Allen was delighted to have his bird returned and ordered Daisy to served the soldier the finest refreshment . A toast was drunk to 'the cock's tail', since the mighty Jupiter had not lost a single feather during his absence.

Cocktail Terminology :

Build - Pour the ingredients into the drinking glass.
Dash - A tiny amount, a drop.
Garnish - Decorate or attach to the rim of the glass.
Long - A drink with five measures or more of liquid.
Muddle - Mashing or grinding herbs, such as mint , into a smooth paste in the bottom of glass.
On The Rocks - Poured over ice.
Shake - In a cocktail shaker, shake for 8 to 10 seconds: the whole shaker should feel cold.
Short - Less than five measures of liquid before shaking.
Straight Up - Mixed and served without ice.
Strain - Pour out, leaving behind the ice and any other solids.
Shooter - A short drink, usually downed in one.
Twist - 1-2 inches length of pith-free citrus peel, held skin side over a drink and twisted in the middle to release the essential oil. The peel usually discarded but can, if preferred, be dropped in the drink.