Spirited Saturday - Cocktails with Classic Sodas

The history of cocktails is a fascinating one, spanning hundreds of years and taking us on a journey through different cultures, time periods, and social movements. From the earliest recorded mixed drinks in ancient civilizations to the present-day cocktail renaissance, cocktails have played an integral role in human history and culture. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that cocktails began to emerge as a distinct category of drinks. And while the first cocktail is difficult to pinpoint, one of the earliest recorded mixed drinks was the Sling, which was popular in the late 18th century. It consisted of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters, and was often served hot. 

The first marketed soft drinks appeared in the 17th century as a mixture of water and lemon juice sweetened with honey. In 1676 the Compagnie de Limonadiers was formed in Paris and granted a monopoly for the sale of its products. Vendors carried tanks on their backs from which they dispensed cups of lemonade. By about 1820, improvements in manufacturing processes allowed a much greater output, and bottled water became popular. Mineral salts and flavors were added—ginger about 1820, lemon in the 1830s, tonic in 1858. In 1886 John Pemberton, a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia, invented Coca-Cola, the first cola drink.

Shortly thereafter, spirits were added and the first whiskey (or rum) and Coke was consumed.