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THE CLASSIC COCKTAIL TIMELINE

Four centuries.
One glass at a time.

A working archive of the mixed drink, from the punch bowls of the seventeenth century to the modern classics of the twenty-first. Dates are approximate; each entry separates the earliest documented reference from the year the drink may have been invented.

Explore the timeline↓Bartender cocktails↗
Drinks
149
Eras
9
Countries
19
Updated
2026-10-19
Abstract illustration of a classic Martini
ILLUSTRATED ARCHIVEFrom punch bowls to the modern classic.
HOW TO READ THE TIMELINE

Dates are approximate. Each entry separates the earliest documented reference from the year a drink may have been invented, and labels creator and origin claims as documented, attributed, disputed or unknown. We do not force a precise year where the evidence does not support one.

A LIVING ARCHIVE

10 entries are explicitly flagged as needing further verification. Images are original Bartender Stories illustrations, not photographs, so every card has a rights-safe visual while the research record stays honest.

149 of 149 cocktails
1600s–1780s

Punch & the Early Mixed Drink

Before the cocktail there was punch: spirit, citrus, sugar, water and spice, shared from a bowl. Naval grog, warm toddies, slings and flips grew out of the same household and tavern traditions, and their DNA survives in almost every drink that follows.

7 cocktails · 17th–18th century
Abstract illustration of a punch bowl with citrus and nutmeg1600sIndia and the Caribbean; popularised in BritainPunchPunch · RumAbstract illustration of clarified milk punch in a coupelate 1600sEnglandMilk PunchPunch · BrandyAbstract illustration of egg nog in a punch cup with nutmeg1700sEngland and the American coloniesEgg NogEgg drink · RumAbstract illustration of a rum flip with nutmeg1700sAmerican colonies and CaribbeanRum FlipFlip · RumAbstract illustration of a mug of grog with lime1740British Royal NavyGrogHighball · RumAbstract illustration of a gin sling in a rocks glass18th centuryUnited StatesGin SlingSling · GinAbstract illustration of a hot toddy with lemon and steam18th–19th centuryScotland and IrelandHot ToddyToddy · Whiskey
1800–1849

The Cocktail’s Birth

The word “cocktail” enters the record in 1806 as a morning drink of spirit, sugar, water and bitters. From that simple formula came the Cocktail family, the Julep, the Smash and the Cobbler — the first recognisably modern American mixed drinks.

8 cocktails · 19th century
Abstract illustration of a gin cocktail with lemon peelearly 1800sUnited StatesGin CocktailOld Fashioned · GinAbstract illustration of a whiskey cocktail with lemon peelearly 1800sUnited StatesWhiskey CocktailOld Fashioned · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Mint Julep: a frosted silver cup packed with crushed ice, amber droplets and a sprig of mint1803Virginia, with later associations with Louisville, Kentucky, and the Kentucky DerbyMint JulepJulep · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Tom and Jerry mug with nutmeg1820sEngland and the United StatesTom & JerryEgg drink · BrandyAbstract illustration of a Sherry Cobbler: a stemmed goblet packed with crushed ice, amber sherry, an orange wheel, berries and a straw1830sUpstate New York (first recorded)Sherry CobblerCobbler · WineAbstract illustration of a Gin Smash: a wide rocks glass of pale gin over crushed ice with mint and a lime wheel1840sAmerican SouthGin SmashSmash · GinAbstract illustration of a Pimm’s Cup with cucumber and strawberry1840sLondon, EnglandPimm’s CupCup · OtherAbstract illustration of a Whiskey Smash: a tall rocks glass of amber whiskey over crushed ice with mint and a lemon wedge1840sAmerican SouthWhiskey SmashSmash · Whiskey
1850–1889

The Golden Age of the Bar

Ice, the shaker and the professional bartender transformed drinking. Jerry Thomas and his contemporaries codified the Sour, the Collins, the Fizz and the Crusta, while vermouth and bitters opened the door to the Martini and the Manhattan.

28 cocktails · 19th century
Abstract illustration of a Blue Blazer with a flame1850sNew York, United StatesBlue BlazerHot drink · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Brandy Crusta: a stemmed glass with a sugar-crusted rim, amber brandy and a long lemon peel1850sNew Orleans, LouisianaBrandy CrustaCrusta · BrandyAbstract illustration of a Sazerac: a small rocks glass of deep amber rye with a long lemon twist1850sNew Orleans, LouisianaSazeracOld Fashioned · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Champagne Cocktail: a flute of pale gold champagne with a sugar cube, bitters and a lemon twist1855First recorded in Panama in 1855; popularised in the United StatesChampagne CocktailChampagne · WineAbstract illustration of an Americano: a rocks glass of deep red drink over ice with an orange wheellate 1800sItalyAmericanoAperitif · Bitter & liqueurAbstract illustration of Garibaldi1860sItalyGaribaldiAperitif · Bitter & liqueurAbstract illustration of a Japanese Cocktail: a coupe of amber cognac and orgeat with a lemon twist1860New YorkJapanese CocktailOld Fashioned · BrandyAbstract illustration of a John Collins: a tall glass of amber drink over ice with an orange wheel and a cherry1860sLondon, EnglandJohn CollinsCollins · GinAbstract illustration of a Manhattan: a V-shaped cocktail glass of deep red-brown drink with a cherry on a pick1860s–70sNew York City, New YorkManhattanManhattan · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Martinez: a coupe of deep amber drink with a lemon twist and a cherry1860sFirst printed in New York, 1884MartinezMartini · GinAbstract illustration of Milano-Torino1860sMilan and Turin, ItalyMilano-TorinoAperitif · Bitter & liqueurAbstract illustration of a Tom Collins: a tall glass of pale gold drink over ice with a lemon wheel and a cherry1860sLondon, EnglandTom CollinsCollins · GinAbstract illustration of a Brandy Sour: a rocks glass of mellow amber drink under a foam cap with a lemon wheel and a cherry1862New York (first printed)Brandy SourSour · BrandyAbstract illustration of a gin sour in a coupe1862New York, United StatesGin SourSour · GinAbstract illustration of a Whiskey Sour: a rocks glass of amber drink under a foam cap with bitters, an orange wheel and a cherry1870United States (first recorded in Wisconsin)Whiskey SourSour · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of an Absinthe Frappé: a goblet packed with crushed ice, pale green absinthe and mint1873New Orleans, LouisianaAbsinthe FrappéFrappé · Bitter & liqueurAbstract illustration of an Improved Whiskey Cocktail: a rocks glass of amber whiskey with a large ice cube, lemon peel and a cherry1876New YorkImproved Whiskey CocktailOld Fashioned · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of an Amer Picon Punch: a highball of deep amber drink over crushed ice with a lemon peel and a brandy floatlate 1800sCheckUnknownAmer Picon PunchPunch · Bitter & liqueurAbstract illustration of a Bamboo: a coupe of pale amber drink with a lemon twist1880sSan Francisco, California (likely); later Yokohama, JapanBambooAperitif · WineAbstract illustration of a Clover Club: a coupe of blush-pink drink under a foam cap with three raspberries1880sPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaClover ClubSour · GinAbstract illustration of a Gin Rickey: a highball of pale drink over ice with a lime wedge on the rim1880Washington, D.C.Gin RickeyHighball · GinAbstract illustration of an Old Fashioned: a rocks glass with amber whiskey, a large ice cube, orange peel and a cherry1880sHistorical associations with Louisville, Kentucky, and ChicagoOld FashionedOld Fashioned · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Pisco Punch: a tall glass of golden pisco punch with ice, pineapple and lemonlate 1800sSan Francisco, CaliforniaPisco PunchPunch · BrandyAbstract illustration of a Planter’s Punch: a tall glass of deep red rum punch over ice with orange, cherry and mintlate 1800sJamaicaPlanter’s PunchPunch · RumAbstract illustration of a Saratoga cocktail in a coupe1880sSaratoga Springs, New YorkSaratogaManhattan · BrandyAbstract illustration of an Adonis: a coupe of pale gold sherry and vermouth with an orange peel1885–86New York City, New YorkAdonisAperitif · WineAbstract illustration of a Martini: a V-shaped cocktail glass of pale drink with an olive on a pick1888New York (first printed)MartiniMartini · GinAbstract illustration of a Ramos Gin Fizz: a tall glass of pale creamy fizz under a thick collar of foam1888New Orleans, LouisianaRamos Gin FizzFizz · Gin
1890–1919

The Cocktail Comes of Age

The cocktail moved from saloon to hotel bar and across the Atlantic. Dry vermouth, French liqueurs and a new cult of the aperitif produced the Martini’s dry turn, the Daiquiri, the Negroni and a generation of drinks built on precision and balance.

26 cocktails · 19th–20th century
Abstract illustration of a Horse’s Neck: a highball of amber drink over ice with a long lemon spiral insidelate 1800sUnited StatesHorse’s NeckHighball · BrandyAbstract illustration of a Rob Roy: a V-shaped cocktail glass of deep red drink with a cherry and a lemon twist1894New York City, New YorkRob RoyManhattan · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Bijou: a coupe of deep amber drink with a cherry and an orange twist1895United States (first printed, 1895)BijouMartini · GinAbstract illustration of a Widow’s Kiss: a coupe of golden drink with a cherry1895New York City, New YorkWidow’s KissOld Fashioned · BrandyAbstract illustration of a Daiquiri: a coupe of pale drink with a lime wheel on the rim1898Daiquirí, CubaDaiquiriSour · RumAbstract illustration of a Gibson: a V-shaped cocktail glass of pale drink with a cocktail onion on a pick1898San Francisco, CaliforniaGibsonMartini · GinAbstract illustration of a Ward Eight: a coupe of deep red-orange drink with a cherry and an orange peel1898Boston, MassachusettsWard EightSour · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Mamie Taylor: a highball of amber drink over ice with a lime wedge1899Rochester, New YorkMamie TaylorHighball · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of Bronx1900sNew York, United StatesBronxMartini · GinAbstract illustration of a Caipirinha with limeearly 1900sBrazilCaipirinhaSour · OtherAbstract illustration of a Cuba Libre with lime1900Havana, CubaCuba LibreHighball · RumAbstract illustration of a Jack Rose: a coupe of deep rose-pink drink with a lemon twistearly 1900sCheckUnknownJack RoseSour · BrandyAbstract illustration of Ti’ PunchTraditionalMartiniqueTi’ PunchPunch · RumAbstract illustration of a Tuxedo: a V-shaped cocktail glass of pale gold drink with a cherry and a lemon twist1900New York (first printed)TuxedoMartini · GinAbstract illustration of a Brooklyn: a V-shaped cocktail glass of deep red-brown drink with a cherry1908New York City, New YorkBrooklynManhattan · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of Alaska1910sUnited States or United KingdomAlaskaMartini · GinAbstract illustration of Alexander1910sUnited States or United KingdomAlexanderAfter-dinner · GinAbstract illustration of a Stinger: a V-shaped cocktail glass of pale green drink with a mint sprig1910sUnknownStingerAfter-dinner · BrandyAbstract illustration of a French 75 in a flute1915Paris, FranceFrench 75Champagne · WineAbstract illustration of a Singapore Sling: a tall glass of rosy drink over ice with a pineapple wedge and a cherry1915SingaporeSingapore SlingSling · GinAbstract illustration of a pale blue Aviation cocktail1916New York, United StatesAviationSour · GinAbstract illustration of a Southside cocktail with mint1916United StatesSouthsideSour · GinAbstract illustration of a Bacardi Cocktail: a V-shaped cocktail glass of bright pink drink with a lime wheel1917–1920sUnknownBacardi CocktailSour · RumAbstract illustration of Seelbach1917Louisville, KentuckySeelbachChampagne · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of Grasshopper1918New Orleans, LouisianaGrasshopperAfter-dinner · Bitter & liqueurAbstract illustration of a Negroni: a rocks glass with deep red liquid, ice and a curling orange peel1919Florence, ItalyNegroniAperitif · Gin
1920–1933

Prohibition & the Lost Generation

America went dry; its bartenders went abroad. Paris, London and Havana became the laboratories of the cocktail, and the Savoy Cocktail Book preserved a generation of drinks that would otherwise have vanished.

35 cocktails · 20th century
Abstract illustration of a Bee’s Knees cocktail1920sUnited StatesBee’s KneesSour · GinAbstract illustration of a Between the Sheets: a coupe of golden amber drink with a lemon twist1920sParis, FranceBetween the SheetsSour · BrandyAbstract illustration of a Brandy Alexander: a coupe of creamy pale drink dusted with nutmeg1920sLondon, EnglandBrandy AlexanderAfter-dinner · BrandyAbstract illustration of a Clover Leaf: a coupe of pink drink under a pale foam cap with a mint sprig1920sCheckUnknownClover LeafSour · GinAbstract illustration of a Corpse Reviver No. 1: a V-shaped cocktail glass of deep amber drink1920sParis, FranceCorpse Reviver No. 1After-dinner · BrandyAbstract illustration of an El Presidente: a coupe of amber drink with an orange peel and a cherry1920sHavana, CubaEl PresidenteAperitif · RumAbstract illustration of Gimlet1920sBritish Royal NavyGimletSour · GinAbstract illustration of a Hemingway Daiquiri1920sHavana, CubaHemingway DaiquiriSour · RumAbstract illustration of a Last Word cocktail1920sDetroit, MichiganLast WordSour · GinAbstract illustration of a Mary Garden: a V-shaped cocktail glass of deep ruby drink with a cherry1920sCheckUnknownMary GardenAperitif · GinAbstract illustration of a pink Mary Pickford cocktail1920sHavana, CubaMary PickfordSour · RumAbstract illustration of a Monkey Gland: a V-shaped cocktail glass of deep orange drink with an orange peel1920sParis, FranceMonkey GlandSour · GinAbstract illustration of a Pegu Club: a coupe of pale gold drink with a lime wheel on the rim1920sRangoon (Yangon), BurmaPegu ClubSour · GinAbstract illustration of a Pisco Sour with bitters1920sLima, PeruPisco SourSour · BrandyAbstract illustration of a Sidecar cocktail1920sParis or LondonSidecarSour · BrandyAbstract illustration of The Millionaire: a coupe of amber drink under a pale foam cap with a cherry1920sCheckUnknownThe MillionaireSour · GinAbstract illustration of a White Lady cocktail1920sLondon or ParisWhite LadySour · GinAbstract illustration of a Hanky Panky: a wide coupe of deep amber drink with a long orange peel1921London, EnglandHanky PankyAperitif · GinAbstract illustration of a Blood and Sand: a coupe of deep blood-red drink with an orange peel and a cherry1922UnknownBlood and SandSour · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Scofflaw: a V-shaped cocktail glass of coral-pink drink with an orange peel1922Paris, FranceScofflawSour · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of Mimosa1925Paris, FranceMimosaChampagne · WineAbstract illustration of a Boulevardier: a wide rocks glass of deep red-brown drink over a large ice cube with an orange peel1927Paris, FranceBoulevardierAperitif · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of an Old Pal cocktail1927Paris, FranceOld PalAperitif · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of Bicicletta1930sNorthern ItalyBiciclettaAperitif · Bitter & liqueurAbstract illustration of a Bronx Terrace: a V-shaped cocktail glass of pale gold drink with a cherry1930sCheckUnknownBronx TerraceMartini · GinAbstract illustration of a Casino: a V-shaped cocktail glass of pale gold drink with a lemon twist1930sCheckUnknownCasinoSour · GinAbstract illustration of a Corpse Reviver No. 2: a coupe of very pale lemon drink with a lemon twist1930London, EnglandCorpse Reviver No. 2Sour · GinAbstract illustration of Hotel Nacional1930sHavana, CubaHotel NacionalSour · RumAbstract illustration of an Income Tax cocktail1930London, EnglandIncome TaxMartini · GinAbstract illustration of a Mojito with mint1930sHavana, CubaMojitoHighball · RumAbstract illustration of a Monkey Wrench: a wide rocks glass of pale pink drink over ice with a grapefruit wheel1930sCheckUnknownMonkey WrenchHighball · RumAbstract illustration of a Pink Lady cocktail1930sUnited StatesPink LadySour · GinAbstract illustration of Satan’s Whiskers cocktail1930London, EnglandSatan’s WhiskersSour · GinAbstract illustration of a Twelve Mile Limit: a V-shaped cocktail glass of rose-red drink with a lemon twist1930sCheckUnknownTwelve Mile LimitSour · RumAbstract illustration of Remember the Maine cocktail1932Havana, CubaRemember the MaineManhattan · Whiskey
1934–1959

Hotel Bars, Tiki & the Highball

After Repeal, the bar re-entered public life with a new theatricality. Donn Beach and Trader Vic built entire worlds out of rum and fruit, while hotel bars, champagne houses and the post-war highball made drinking a middle-class pleasure.

22 cocktails · 20th century
Abstract illustration of Bloody Mary1934Paris, France; later New YorkBloody MaryHighball · VodkaAbstract illustration of a Zombie cocktail with mint1934Hollywood, CaliforniaZombieTiki · RumAbstract illustration of Death in the Afternoon1935Paris, FranceDeath in the AfternoonChampagne · Bitter & liqueurAbstract illustration of a 20th Century cocktail1937United States20th CenturySour · GinAbstract illustration of Rusty Nail1937Scotland or the United StatesRusty NailAfter-dinner · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Margarita with lime1938MexicoMargaritaSour · AgaveAbstract illustration of Vieux Carré1938New Orleans, LouisianaVieux CarréManhattan · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Hurricane cocktail1940sNew Orleans, LouisianaHurricaneTiki · RumAbstract illustration of Michelada1940sMexicoMicheladaBeer cocktail · OtherAbstract illustration of a Navy Grog cocktail1940sHollywood, CaliforniaNavy GrogTiki · RumAbstract illustration of Pink Squirrel1940sUnited StatesPink SquirrelAfter-dinner · Bitter & liqueurAbstract illustration of Screwdriver1940sUnited StatesScrewdriverHighball · VodkaAbstract illustration of a Moscow Mule in a copper mug1941New York and Los AngelesMoscow MuleHighball · VodkaAbstract illustration of Irish Coffee1943Foynes, IrelandIrish CoffeeCoffee · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Mai Tai with mint and lime1944Oakland, CaliforniaMai TaiTiki · RumAbstract illustration of Kir Royale1945Burgundy, FranceKir RoyaleChampagne · WineAbstract illustration of Bellini1948Venice, ItalyBelliniChampagne · WineAbstract illustration of Black Russian1949Brussels, BelgiumBlack RussianAfter-dinner · VodkaAbstract illustration of White Russian1949United StatesWhite RussianAfter-dinner · VodkaAbstract illustration of an Aperol Spritz: a stemmed glass with amber liquid, ice, an orange slice and an olive1950sUnknownAperol SpritzSpritz · Bitter & liqueurAbstract illustration of a Paloma with grapefruit1950sMexicoPalomaHighball · AgaveAbstract illustration of a Piña Colada with pineapple1954San Juan, Puerto RicoPiña ColadaTiki · Rum
1960–1979

Mid-Century & the Dark Ages

Convenience and sweet liqueurs dominated the 1960s and 1970s. The period is often called the cocktail’s dark ages, yet it produced enduring party drinks, the espresso machine’s future favourite and the first stirrings of the revival.

11 cocktails · 20th century
Abstract illustration of Golden Cadillac1960sUnited StatesGolden CadillacAfter-dinner · Bitter & liqueurAbstract illustration of a Blue Hawaii cocktail1961Honolulu, HawaiiBlue HawaiiTiki · RumAbstract illustration of an Amaretto Sour1970sUnited StatesAmaretto SourSour · Bitter & liqueurAbstract illustration of a layered B-52 shot1970sCanada or the United StatesB-52Layered shot · Bitter & liqueurAbstract illustration of Godfather1970sItaly or the United StatesGodfatherAfter-dinner · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of Painkiller1970sJost Van Dyke, British Virgin IslandsPainkillerTiki · RumAbstract illustration of a Harvey Wallbanger1971California, United StatesHarvey WallbangerHighball · VodkaAbstract illustration of a Long Island Iced Tea1972Long Island, New YorkLong Island Iced TeaHighball · VodkaAbstract illustration of a Negroni Sbagliato with prosecco and orange1972Milan, ItalyNegroni SbagliatoSpritz · WineAbstract illustration of a Tequila Sunrise1972California, United StatesTequila SunriseHighball · AgaveAbstract illustration of a Jungle Bird cocktail1978Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaJungle BirdTiki · Rum
1980–1999

The Cocktail Renaissance

A new generation of bartenders rediscovered fresh juice, balance and the pre-Prohibition canon. Dick Bradsell, Dale DeGroff and their peers turned the bar back into a craft, and the modern classic was born.

6 cocktails · 20th century
Abstract illustration of Dark ’n’ Stormy1980sBermudaDark ’n’ StormyHighball · RumAbstract illustration of an Espresso Martini with coffee beans1983London, EnglandEspresso MartiniAfter-dinner · VodkaAbstract illustration of a Bramble cocktail1988London, EnglandBrambleSour · GinAbstract illustration of a Cosmopolitan cocktail1988New York, United StatesCosmopolitanSour · VodkaAbstract illustration of an Appletini1990sCheckUnited StatesAppletiniMartini · VodkaAbstract illustration of Tommy’s Margarita1990San Francisco, CaliforniaTommy’s MargaritaSour · Agave
2000–present

The Modern Classic

The twenty-first century produced a new canon in real time. Sam Ross, Audrey Saunders, Joaquín Simó and others built drinks that spread through bars fast enough to become classics in a decade rather than a century.

6 cocktails · 21st century
Abstract illustration of a Gold Rush cocktail2001New York, United StatesGold RushSour · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of an Old Cuban cocktail2001New York, United StatesOld CubanChampagne · RumAbstract illustration of a White Negroni2001London, EnglandWhite NegroniAperitif · GinAbstract illustration of a Penicillin cocktail2005New York, United StatesPenicillinSour · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Paper Plane cocktail2008New York, United StatesPaper PlaneSour · WhiskeyAbstract illustration of a Naked and Famous cocktail2011New York, United StatesNaked and FamousSour · Agave
FROM THE CANON TO THE BAR

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