There is a lot of controversy over where and how the "cocktail" came into existence. Numerous stories which all see some what plausible in their own right are all over books and the Internet. It seems that no one really knows for sure but some tales lend themselves to the possibility of being true.

It seems that the Cocktail dates back to the 19th century. The publication The Balance in May of 1806 says this when describing a drink, "Spirits with other spirits and additives". Then goes on to say the additives are sugar water and bitters. Sure sounds like a Cocktail to me!

Some say California is the birthplace of the Cocktail. Some literature shows the word Martini was actually named and recorded in California. The ingredients were: 4 parts sweet red vermouth,one part gin, red cherry and a cherry.

The story goes that a bartender at the Occidental Hotel in San Fransisco made a drink for a gold miner who was passing through on his way to the town of Martinez. Hence, the Martini!

They say the the first Cocktail party was given by Mrs. Juius S. Walsh on a Sunday in May of 1917 in St Louis Missouri. The 50 guests were said to arrive at 12:00 for Cocktails. Lunch was served at 1:00 and cocktails were stopped.

The Catholic Arcdiocese bought the Walsh home at 4510 Lindell Blvd where it is still used today by the Church.

One might think that the Prohibition might have had a negative impact on the rise of the Cocktail but no, no, no. In fact, you can almost credit The Prohibition for helping launch the Cocktail.

Prohibition did not stop alcohol in fact it spawned an amazing amount of Bootleggers, Speakeasies, and private parties serving alcohol. The forbidden is so enticing. Where there is a will there is a way. Many people made extreme amounts of money in this "no selling of alcohol" time.

The Cocktail grew in this period not only for the demand of the "forbidden fruit" but for another reason. The alcohol tasted so bad thanks to the bootleggers something had to be done to made it more palatable. The adding of sugar and other ingredients forced a rise in different types of Cocktails.

When we think of cocktails and cocktail parties we tend to have a very defined image in our heads. Film and literature are really what bought about the image of wealth and class which is still associated with the Cocktail and Cocktail Parties today.

Cocktail parties were one of the main venues for people to socialize. Party throwers and goers used the Cocktail Party as a ladder to help them climb socially. It was and is today important to invite just the right people to have the perfect mix at a Cocktail Party. Parties can be a veritable mix of the "Who's Who" in the business world. The infancy of many large business mergers and acquisition were forged over Cocktails albeit lunch or dinner.

Today there has been a resurgence of The Cocktail and The Cocktail Party. Numerous new cocktails have been invented and the intimate Cocktail Party is back. Younger people have grown to love The Cocktail and Cocktail Party. It is not always the well established who are throwing parties today. Many young and upcoming men and woman are entering the world of the Cocktail.

"Shaken not stirred" is part of American language today. The exact phrase is from James Bond in Gold Finger 1969 and is this, "A Martini, Shaken, Not Stirred".

Countless movies have shown us images of the Cocktail Crowd. From he smoking jacket, to the ascot to the cigarette holder. We base our ideas from Hollywood and its glamorous view of The Cocktail.

Here are some famous movie lines about The Cocktail:

"Give me a whiskey, ginger ale on the side.....and don't be stingy baby". Anna Christie 1930

"Mind if I drink with you". Jean Harlow 1932

"Let there be dancing in the streets, drinking in the saloons, and necking in the parlor: A night at The Opera 1935

"Why don't you get out of that wet coat and into a Dry Martini". Every Days a Holiday 1937

"Look sweetheart I can drink you under any god damn table you want, so don't worry about me". Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf 1966.

Humphrey Bogart's last words, "I never should have switched form scotch to Martinis".

Cocktails named after Hollywood celebrities:

Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks ,Great Garbo, Ginger Rogers, Jean Harlow, Mae West and others.

Every Cocktailer will need the basics: Shaker, long handed bar spoon, jiggers, mixing glass, ice cracker.

Glasses: Highball, tumblers-clear and uncut the best for aesthetic value, martini glasses.

Ingredients:Whiskey, scotch,rum. bandy, bourbon, triple sec, sweet/dry vermouth, vodka, and tequila.

Mixers: tonic, ginger ale, bitters, fruit juices, lemon, lime, cherries.

Cocktail Book

Cocktails have changed over the years. New ingredients have been added and trendy names have been given out. Here are a few cocktail recipes you can use at your Cocktail Party.

The Martini:4-6 cracked ice cubs, 3 measures gin,1tsp dry vernouth, Place cracked cubs in mixing glass. Pour the gin and vermouth over the ice. Stir well to mix. Strain into chilled cocktail glass and garnish with olive.

Manhattan:4-6 cracked ice cubs, dash of bitters, 3 measures of rye whiskey, 1 measure sweet vermouth, cherry. Put ice into mixing glass, dash of bitters, and pour in the whiskey and vermouth. Stir well to mix. Strain into chilled glasses and decorate.

Sidecar: 4-6 cracked ice cubs, 2 measures of brandy, 1 measure triple sec, 1 measure lemon juice, orange peel twist. put ice in shaker, pour brandy triple sec and lemon over ice. Shake vigorously until frost forms. Strain into chilled glass and decorate with orange peel.

Whiskey Sour: 4-6 cracked ice cubs, 2 measures American blended whiskey, 1 measure lemon juice, 1 tsp sugar syrup. Put ice in shaker, pour whiskey, lemon juice and sugar syrup over cracked ice. Shake vigorously ubil frost forms. Strain inot chilled cocktail glass and garnish with sherry and orange slice.

Mint Julep: Leaves from one fresh mint sprig, 1 tbs sugar syrup, 6-8 crushed ice cubs, 3 measures bourbon whiskey, fresh mint sprig. Put mint leaves into small chilled glass and mash with tsp. Add crushed ice to fill tumbler, them add bourbon. Decorate with mint prig.

Long live the era of the Cocktail Party. The cocktail party and all its frills is a genre amongst itself. It represents glamour, wealth, success, class, social interaction and fun. A true cocktailer can hold their alcohol without showing its effects. The Cocktail party is not an excuse for drunken escapades. As long party goers and throwers are responsible I say carry on with the world of the Cocktail Party!!!!!