Although many premium products are often enjoyed neat or over ice, cocktails are the most popular way to enjoy distilled spirits. An invention of nineteenth-century America, early cocktails mixed a spirit with sugar and water. Today, the range of ingredients for mixing cocktails has expanded far beyond these basic categories and is limited only by imagination and taste.
Virginia ABC offers a wide variety of mixers and mixing ingredients, but our selection only begins to cover the possibilities. If you have difficulty locating a specific ingredient, please talk to staff at your local Virginia ABC store about how to obtain it.
There are limitless possibilities for cocktail ingredients beyond those listed on this page, from orange juice, coffee, tea and cola to eggs, cream, Worcestershire sauce and honey. Visit our recipes section to explore the mysterious ways that ingredients combine into perfect cocktails.
The term "cocktail" has a highly debated origin, with a highly debated etymology. Does it refer to a coquetier, a small egg cup? Is it somehow derived from cock-tail, the term for a horse's docked tail? There are at least seven theories to explain the origin of the term.
Spirited Virginia is your guide to new products, creative cocktails, in-store tastings, promotions and what's hot in the world of spirits and entertaining (21 or older).
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Virginia ABC empowers its customers to make mindful choices about alcohol. Browse our Sip Responsibly section for information and resources to keep Virginians safe and healthy.