Gimlet, negroni, Manhattan, Long Island iced tea, flirtini, screwdriver ? Cocktails have traversed centuries and continents to reach their iconic status today. But how did they come to be? It all began in seventeenth-century America with a rum punch ? a simple blend of five ingredients ? which gave rise to a whole new food science. In Cocktails: A Global History, Joseph M. Carlin embarks on a fascinating journey through the history of these beloved concoctions, illuminating how a dazzling early innovation became a global cultural staple. He explores not only the drinks themselves but their ripple effect across society, including the sparking of a cocktail-centric spin-off revolution ? from cocktail parties and stylish cocktail dresses to cocktail wieners and even the infamous Molotov cocktail. Complete with tempting recipes, Cocktails is an essential collectible for both history buffs and drink enthusiasts alike ? the perfect companion to a morning mimosa or an evening martini.