From the 1800s in the plantations of North Virginia to the supper clubs of San Francisco in the 1980s, tapsters across the globe have been busy crafting our favourite cocktails over the last 100 years. Here’s an extract from the Larousse Cocktail book of dates in history of the most famous recipes and the origins of the greatest cocktails of our time.
Seeing that this list was originally publish in 2005, new information might have come to light since then. Feel free to email us your findings, (stating the cocktail, date and source) and we will update it accordingly.
Amendment will be indicated with a *
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1800-1810
- Mint Julep – popularised in the United States around 1800, especially in the plantations of North Virginia.
- Old-Fashioned – first mentioned in the Farmer’s Cabinet on April 28, 1803. The first published definition of the Cocktail appeared in an editorial response in The Balance and Columbian Repository of 1806. s*
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1810-1840
- Tom & Jerry – invented by British journalist Pierce Egan in the 1820s
- Sazerac – invented in 1838 by Antoine Amedie Peychaud in New Orleans.*
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1840-1850
- Pimm’s Cup – Invented in the 1840s by James Pimm at an oyster bar in London.*
- Spritzer – Invented in 1842 by Ányos Jedlik in Hungary s.*
- Pink Gin – drink since 1848 by officers of the Royal Navy.
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1850-1880
- Brandy Crusta – invented in 1853 by Italian bartender Joseph Santini at his bar, Jewel of the South, in New Orleans.**
- Pisco Punch – Invented around 1853 by Duncan Nicol at the Bank Exchange & Billiard Saloon in San Francisco s.*
- Americano – Invented in 1860 at Gaspare Campari’s bar in Milan.*
- Martinez – invented between 1860 – 1870, but first published in O.H. Byron’s The Modern Bartender, in 1884.*
- Blue Blazer – invented by Jerry Thomas at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco.
- Manhattan – invented at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the early 1870s.*
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1880-1890
- East India – First published in 1882 in Harry Johnson’s New and Improved Bartender’s Manual.*
- Champagne Julep – First appeared in Harry Johnson’s Bartender’s Manual in 1882 s.*
- Dry Martini – Origin Unknown. Probably created between 1884 and 1888 in San Francisco. First recipe appeared in Harry Johnson’s Bartender Manual in 1888.*
- Ramos Gin Fizz – Invented in 1888 by Henry C. Ramos at his bar, the Imperial Cabinet Saloon, in New Orleans s.*
- Turf – invented between 1888 and 1895 in the United States; attributed to Harry Johnson.
- Stiff Horse’s Neck – Invented between 1895 and 1897. Origin unknown s.*
- Black Velvet – popularised in the United States; originally called Champagne Velvet in the United States.
- Bijou – invented at the end of the 1880s in the United States; attributed to Harry Johnson.
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1890 – 1900
- Stinger – appeared at the start of the 1890s in the United States; originally called Judge Cocktail.
- Remsen Cooler – invented before 1895 by a naval officer, William Remsen, at the Union Club in New York.
- Daiquiri – invented in 1898 by a group of engineers at the Venus Hotel in Santiago de Cuba.
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1900-1910
- Bronx – appeared between 1899 and 1908 in the United States; attributed to Johnnie Soloon of the hotel Old Waldorf-Astoria in New York.
- Lone Tree – invented between 1900 and 1904 at the Myopia Hunt Club in Hamilton (Massachusetts).
- Clover Club – invented between 1900 and 1908 at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia for the members of the Clover Club.
- Cuba Libre – Origin unknown. Popularised by Cuban soldiers between 1868 and 1878 as a mix of molasses, water and rum, but the current mixture was only establish after 1902 e.*
- Zaza – invented between 1904 and 1907 by Frank Newman at the Grand Hotel in Paris.
- Rose – invented in 1906 by Johnny Milta at the Chatam in Paris.
- Absinthe Veilleuse – invented before 1908 in Paris by Paul Geoffroy.
- Bamboo – invented before 1908 in Yokohama by Louis Eppinger.
- Tomate a I’Absinthe – invented before 1908 in France.
- Jack Rose – invented in New York; it was created by Jacob Rosenzweig, nicknamed Bald Jack Rose.
- Alexander – First appeared in Jack’s Manual on The Vintage & Production, Care & Handling of Wines, Liquors &c., by Jacob Abraham Grohusko in 1910.*
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1910-1920
- Singapore Sling – invented between 1910 and 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore.
- Bull’s Eye – First appeared in Jack’s Manual on the Vintage & Production, Care & Handling of Wines, Liquors & c. by J. A. Grohusko published in 1916 s.*
- Sidecar – Invented between 1917 and 1918 by an American army captain in Paris.*
- Caipirinha – Origin unknown. Invented between 1917 and 1918 in Piracicaba, Brazil s.**
- Ward Eight – invented between 1918 and 1922 in the United States, perhaps in the 8th district of Washington, also known as Ward Eight.
- Grasshopper – Invented around 1919 at the Tujague bar in New Orleans s.*
- Negroni – invented in 1919 by Fosco Scarselli and Count Camillo Negroni at Caffè Giacosa in Florence, Italy.*
- White Lady – Originally believed to have been created by Harry McElhone at London’s Ciro Club in 1919.*
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1920-1930
- Pussy Foot – invented in 1920 in London by Robert Vermeire.
- Whizz-Bang – invented in 1920 by Tommy Burton at the Sports’ Club in London.
- Mary Pickford – invented between 1920 and 1926 in Cuba , by Fred Kaufman.
- Bloody Mary – Fernand Petiot claimed to have invented the Bloody Mary in 1921 at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris e.*
- Royal Highball – invented in 1921 by Frank Meier, for the opening of The Ritz Hotel’s Cambon Bar.
- Bloodhound – introduced in 1922 in London by the Duke of Manchester.
- Florida – popularized in 1922 in London.
- Monkey Gland – invented before 1922 by Harry McElhone.
- Paradise – popularized in 1922 in London.
- Queen Cocktail – invented in 1922 in New York by Harry Craddock.
- Scoff-Law – invented in 1924 by Jock at Harry’s Bar in Paris.
- French 75 – invented in 1925 by Harry McElhone at Harry’s Bar in Paris.
- Mimosa – Invented by Frank Meier in 1925 at The Ritz Hotel bar in Paris.*
- Blue Bird – invented in 1927 by Frank Meier.
- Claridge – invented before 1927 by Léon, barman at the Claridge Hotel in Paris.
- Diabola – invented before 1927 by Frank Newman in Paris.
- Acacias – invented in 1928 by Mademoiselle Doudjam for an amateur cocktail competition at Biarritz.
- Frozen Daiquiri – invented between 1928 and 1930 by Constantino Ribalaigua Vert at the Florida in Cuba.
- Biltong Dry – invented by Harry Craddock and first appeared in the Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930.**
- Buck Family – probably invented in London, by McGarry of Buck’s Club.
- Alfonso – popularized in France during the visit of King Alphonse Xlll of Spain to Deauville.
- Commodore – appeared in the United States; attributed to Phil Gross who worked in Cincinnati.
- Depth Bomb – invented in England.
- Mojito – first appeared in Cuba; nowadays it is made without bitters.
- Presidente – invented by Constantino Ribalaigua Vert at the Florida in Cuba
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1930-1940
- Macka – invented in France at the start of the 1930, probably at the Bar Basque at St-Jean-de-Luz.
- Olympic – invented between 1930 and 1934 by Frank Meier at The Ritz Hotel bar in Paris.
- Bee’s Knees – invented between 1930 and 1936 by Frank Meier at The Ritz Hotel bar in Paris.
- Red Lion – invented in London in 1933 by Arthur A Tarling.
- Zombie – Invented by Donn Beach in 1934 at Don the Beachcomber restaurant in California.*
- Hurricane – Invented by Pat O’Brien in the mid 1940’s at his speakeasy called Mr. O’Brien’s Club Tipperary in New Orleans s.*
- B & B – probably appeared in 1937 in New York; attributed to the Club 21.
- Black Rose – invented before 1936 by Frank Meier at The Ritz Hotel bar in Paris.
- Green Hat – invented before 1936 by Frank Meier at The Ritz Hotel bar in Paris.
- Highbinder – invented before 1936 by Frank Meier at The Ritz Hotel bar in Paris.
- Prince of Wales – appeared in 1936 in France; attributed to Jack Van Land of Harry’s Bar in Le Touquet.
- Margarita – Origin is unknown, but Carlos “Danny” Herrera claims he invented the drink in 1938 at his restaurant, Rancho La Gloria, in Mexico.*
- Hemingway Special – invented for Ernest Hemingway in 1939 by Antonio Melan in Cuba.
- Pink Daiquiri – invented in 1939 in Cuba; also known as a Daiquiri No 5.
- Doctor Funk – invented by Don the Beachcomber in California.
- Floridita Daiquiri – invented by Benjamin Orbon at the Florida in Cuba.
- Marama Rum Punch – invented by Don the Beachcomber in California.
- Pearl Diver -invented by Don the Beachcomber in California.
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1940-1950
- Moscow Mule – invented in 1941, probably at the Cock ‘n’ Bull restaurant in Hollywood.
- Irish Coffee – invented in 1943 by Joe Sheridan at Foynes airport in Ireland.
- Mai Tai – Invented by Victor J. Bergeron in 1944 at his restaurant, Trader Vic’s in Oakland, California.*
- Scorpion – recipe published in 1946 by Trader Vic, who invented it in Oakland, California.
- Vodka Martini Extra-Dry appeared at the Stork Club in New York in 1946.
- Bellini – invented in 1948 at Harry’s Bar in Venice by Arrigo Cipriani.
- El Diablo – recipe first published at the end of the 1940s in the United States.
- Screwdriver – Origin unknown. Invented in the late 1940s in the United States. s *
- Red Snapper – first publication of the name given to a Bloody Mary at the Saint Regis Hotel in New York.
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1950-1960
- Black Russian – invented around 1950, probably by Gustave Tops at the Métropole Hotel in Brussels.
- Tamanaco Dry – invented at the start of the 1950s by Jacques Hébrard at the Tamanaco Hotel in Caracas; initially known as the Jack’artini.
- Harvey Wallbanger – Origin unknown. According to folklore, Donato Antone invented the Harvey Wallbanger in 1952. s *
- Kir – invented in 1904 at Dijon; renamed Blanc Cassis (1951)
- Pina Colada – Invented by Ramón “Monchito” Marrero Perez on August 16, 1954, at the Caribe Hilton in San Juan, Puerto Rico. s *
- Golden Dream – invented by LeRoy Sharon at Marineland in California.
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1960-1970
- Blue Lagoon – invented in 1960 by Andy McElhone at Harry’s Bar in Paris.
- Banana Daiquiri – invented by Trader Vic.
- Bossa Nova – invented by Cecil E Roberts at the Nassau Beach Hotel in the Bahamas.
- Joe Kanoo – invented by D R Lunan at the Sheraton Hotel in Kingston; initially called the Jonkanoo Screwdriver.
- Montego Bay – invented by Trader Vic.
- Mulata – invented in Cuba and attributed to José Maria Vasquez.
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1970-1980
- Tequila Sunrise – Invented in the early 1970s by Bobby Lazoff and Billy Rice while working as young bartenders at The Trident in Sausalito, California.s *
- Blue Hawaiian – invented at the start of the 1970s in the United States.
- Cape Codder – invented at the start of the 1970s in the United States.
- Long Island Iced Tea – Robert Butt claims to have invented the drinks in 1972 while he worked at the Oak Beach Inn on Long Island, New York.s *
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1980-1990
- Apple Sunrise – invented in 1980 by Charles Schumann in Munich.
- Midnight Moon – invented in 1982 by Colin Peter Field in Paris.
- Aristo – invented in 1984 by Duschan Tistler at Passau in Germany.
- Carol Channing – invented in 1984 by Dick Bradsell in London.
- Creativity – invented in 1984 by Peter Roth in Zurich.
- Lady Killer – invented in 1984 by Peter Roth at the Kronenhalle Bar in Zurich.
- Basic – invented in 1986 by Duschan Tistler at Passau in Germany.
- Purple Hooter – invented between 1980 and 1987 at the Balboa Café in San Francisco.
- Sex on the Beach – Invented by Ted the bartender in 1987 at the Confetti’s Bar in Florida as part of a promotion for a peach schnapps company.s *
- Cosmopolitan – invented by Toby Cecchini, of The Odeon in Manhattan in 1987.*
- Espresso Martini – invented in London by Dick Bradsell in the late 1980s.*
- Bramble – invented in London by Dick Bradsell.
- Fuzzy Navel – appeared in San Francisco; attributed to Pat O’Shea’s Mad Hatter.
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Since 1990
- Black Widow – invented in 1992 in New York by Dale DeGroff, author of The Craft of the Cocktail.
- Woo Woo – invented in 1993 at Julie’s Supper Club in San Francisco.
- Apple Pilar – invented in 1994 by Colin Peter Field in Paris.
- Serendipiti – invented in 1994 by Colin Peter Field in Paris.
- Anejo Highball – invented in New York in 1995 by Dale DeGroff, author of The Craft of the Cocktail.
- Burgos – invented in 1995 by Colin Peter Field in Paris.
- Ginger Champagne – invented in 1995 by Colin Peter Field in Paris (or Benderitter).
- Beam Me Up Scotty – invented in 1996 by Willi Haase at the Hudson Bar in Berlin.
- Cable Car – invented in 1996 in San Francisco by Tony Abou-Ganim.
- Dusty Rose – invented in New York in 1996 by Dale DeGroff, author of The Craft of the Cocktail.
- Tropicana – invented in 1996 by Willi Haase at the Hudson Bar in Berlin.
- Fiesta – invented in 1997 by Colin Peter Field in Paris.
- Just Try – invented by Mauro Mahjoub at the Negroni Bar in Munich in 1998.
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Agave Punch – invented in New York in 1999 by Dale DeGroff, author of The Craft of the Cocktail.
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Baccarat – invented by Peter Roth in Zurich in 1999.
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Breakfast Martini – invented in 1999 in London, by Salvatore Calabrese, author of Classic Cocktails.
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Betty Blue – invented in 2000 by Mauro Mahjoub at the Negroni Bar in Munich.
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GG – invented in 2000 in London, by Salvatore Calabrese, author of Classic Cocktails.
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Apple Martini – appeared in the United States around 2000, no doubt in New York (recipe given is European version).
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French Spring Punch – invented in London between 2000 and 2003 by Dick Bradsell.
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Russian Spring Punch – invented in London between 2000 and 2003 by Dick Bradsell.
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Treacle – invented in London between 2000 and 2003 by Dick Bradsell.
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Clockwork Orange – invented in 2001 in Paris by Colin Peter Field.
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Delmarva – invented in Los Angeles in 2001 by Ted Haigh, known by the nickname of ‘Dr Cocktail’.
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Jam Daiquiri – invented in Valencia (Spain) in 2001 by Rafael Ballesteros.
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Meringue – invented in Los Angeles in 2001 by Ted Haigh
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Evolution – invented in Valencia (Spain) in 2002 by Rafael Ballesteros.
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Francis the Mule – invented in Los Angeles in 2002 by Ted Haigh.
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Gotham – invented in 2002 in Seattle, Washington, by Robert Hess, also known by the name ‘Drinkboy’.
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Jaizkibel – invented in Valencia (Spain) in 2002 by Rafael Ballesteros.
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Twistin – invented by Peter Roth in Zurich in 2002.
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European Beauty – invented in Valencia (Spain) in 2003 by Rafael Ballesteros.
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Hondarribia – invented in Valencia (Spain) in 2003 by Rafael Ballesteros.
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Lemony Snicket – invented in Los Angeles in 2003 by Ted Haigh.
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Playa del Mar – invented by Navajoe Joe in London.
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*Amendments to the original list
** New additions to the original list.
