<P> When used to refer to any generic alcoholic mixed drink, cocktail may mean any beverage that contains two or more ingredients if at least one of those ingredients contains alcohol . </P> <P> When a mixed drink contains only a distilled spirit and a mixer, such as soda or fruit juice, it is a highball; many of the International Bartenders Association Official Cocktails are highballs . When a cocktail contains only a distilled spirit and a liqueur, it is a duo and when it adds a mixer, it is a trio . Additional ingredients may be sugar, honey, milk, cream, and various herbs . </P> <P> The origin of the word cocktail is disputed . The first recorded use of cocktail not referring to a horse is found in The Morning Post and Gazetteer in London, England, March 20, 1798: </P> <P> Mr. Pitt, two petit vers of "L'huile de Venus" Ditto, one of "perfeit amour" Ditto, "cock - tail" (vulgarly called ginger) </P>

Where does the word cocktail come from wikipedia