What’s in a name? When it comes to cocktails, the meaning, the magic, the legend, the lure. A drink by any other name would be as tasty, but would it be as tempting? Would Alcohol and Quinine sound as chic as Gin and Tonic?
Speaking of Gin and Tonic, it was the Far East in the 1800s, when quinine was the only — and bitter — tonic for malaria. But add gin, the men of the British military discovered, and the “cure” became a cosmopolitan drink.
When Giuseppe Cipriani of Venice’s Harry’s Bar mixed peach purée with Prosecco in the 1930s, the color reminded him of a painting by Giovanni Bellini. And so we have the Bellini.
One day, before World War II, a man with a warehouse of vodka he couldn’t sell met a man with a warehouse of ginger beer he couldn’t sell. They put them together, added lime and — voilà! — the Moscow Mule.
The gin-based Singapore Sling was created — where else? — in Singapore in 1915 at the Raffles Hotel. The Mint Julep came to be in Mint Springs near Vicksburg, Miss., in 1842, when someone first placed fresh mint in bourbon.
When Jenny Jerome gave a party at the Manhattan Club in New York City in 1874 for New York Gov. Samuel J. Tilden, she asked the bartender to create a new drink. “Begin with bourbon,” she said. She then named it after the club. She went on to become Lady Randolph Churchill and mother of Sir Winston. The Manhattan went on to become one of the world’s most popular drinks.
Then there are the tales of how the cocktail itself came to its name. One tells of a maiden who served a mixed drink to an army officer. Her name? “Octelle, sir.” In another version, the king’s daughter mixed a potion for a visiting dignitary. Her name? “Coctel, sir.” Or it could have been the barmaid, Betsy Flanagan, who stirred her drinks with feathers from a cock’s tail and the Frenchman who exclaimed, “Vive le cocktail!” Or perhaps the horse trader who gave his tired old nag a drink of spirits to jolt him up for sale. It worked so well, he even cocked his tail.
Read This Next
2013 Airline Of The Year And Hotel Of The Year
2013 / December 2013
Dec 5, 2013All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedMarch 2021
Mar 8, 2021Venture Out in Vienna, a City of Opulence and Grace
Brewing long and deep at its center before radiating out to the rest of Europe, Vienna boasts an illustrious history and lasting intellectual impact. The Austrian capital dates back to Celtic and Romen rule, the latter inhabitants using the center city as a military hub among many other employments.
Sponsored Content
The Greatest Show on Earth
Step right up to the greatest show on Earth as FXExpress Publications, Global Traveler, trazeetravel.com and whereverfamily.com celebrate their 2020 award winners! Join the big top on Dec. 14 as we virtually award the winners of the 17th annual GT Tested Reader Survey awards, including the Airline and Hotel of the Year; the 17th annual Wines on the Wing Airline Wine Survey; the eighth annual Leisure Lifestyle Awards; the sixth annual The Trazees; and the third annual Wherever Awards.
Daily
Mar 8, 2021Redeem AAdvantage Miles for At-Home COVID-19 Testing
Whether taking a COVID-19 test before boarding a flight or looking up different travel restrictions before planning your trip, travel has looked a little bit different this past year. With all the extra steps for traveling, American Airlines is committed to finding ways to provide ease and more flexibility and choices for passengers when traveling.
January/February 2021
Mar 8, 2021Take Time to Indulge in Well-Being at Canyon Ranch Lenox
Even in “normal” times, folks gravitate to wellness resorts to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle, destress and be nurtured. In this COVID-19-era state of elevated anxiety, people seek even more natural beauty and caring hospitality, healthy food, fitness activities and beauty and body treatments. Canyon Ranch Lenox also provides an extensive staff of experts offering a multitude of health, wellness and spiritual well-being modalities that alleviate personal issues.
Daily
Mar 5, 20213 Recipes for Lent from New Orleans’ Top Chefs
The Lenten season continues through April 3. This year, New Orleans’ top chefs share some Lent-friendly recipes for at-home dining.
SoJo Spa Club: Tranquility with an Urban View
Daily
Mar 4, 2021Mondrian Doha Review
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 3, 2021eFlyer News
Mar 3, 2021Explore Fairbanks Highlights New Aurora Tracker Video
The lights of the aurora borealis appear frequently in the Fairbanks region of Alaska, with a growing number of Aurora Trackers in the area. A new video from Explore Fairbanks features five Fairbanks Aurora Trackers sharing their thoughts and photography on the northern lights.
eFlyer Deals
Mar 3, 2021Gaylord Hotels Announces Spring Specials
Gaylord Hotels invites guests to Spring It On at Gaylord Texan, Gaylord Rockies, Gaylord Palms and Gaylord Opryland. March 12–May 16, craft the perfect spring break getaway with Gaylord’s themed family programming and more.
eFlyer Deals
Mar 3, 2021Workcation Offer at Karisma Hotels & Resorts
Remote workers looking for an upgrade from their home offices might want to consider Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ Workcation offer. Those booking an extended stay of 10-plus nights are eligible for discounts of up to 15 percent off best available rates; those booking 20-plus nights enjoy up to 25 percent off. The offer is available at Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ diverse portfolio of properties.
ShareThis