Generally, the term "mixed drink" is identical in meaning to "
cocktail"- a beverage consisting of at least one
alcoholic beverage and at least one other liquid, either
alcoholic or
non-alcoholic. There are other ingredients which can be included as well, such as
spices,
fruit, and
honey (and very often, ice). Note that generally the term "mixed drink" does NOT refer to a
shot (or
shooter)--even a shot which is comprised of several mixed ingredients, and refers only to a standard, sippable drink.
Mixed drinks became very popular in the United States during
prohibition, due to the low quality of the home-brewed
alcohol available at the time. Mixing
bootleg alcohol with other liquids helped to hide the foul taste and odor of the liquor. Although most mixed drinks now deal with near-flavorless
vodka, there are also many recipes that use
gin,
whiskey, and
rum.
Mixed drinks vary widely in complexity, both in ingredients and technique. Some are as simple as a
scotch and soda or a
screwdiver, and some have longer lists of ingredients, like the infamous
Long Island Iced Tea and its multitude of variations. To make many mixed drinks, specific glasses are preferred.
For making most mixed drinks, it is advisable to have certain equipment handy. One and one-half ounce
jiggers are easy to find in any kitchen store, and a
strainer is adviseable for anyone who needs to make mixed drinks that
chill, but are not served with ice. Shakers of all shapes and sizes are easily obtainable, and I recommend a short
paring knife for anyone who needs to fix fruit
garnish or add
rimmers to their drinks. I would also recommend keeping a bottle of
bitters handy, in case they have to make an
old-fashioned drink, of which there are several.
The more complex a mixed drink is, the cheaper the alcohol you can get away with using. You shouldn't have a problem using cheap stuff for a
Slow Comfortable Screw Up Against the Wall, but you'll notice a big difference between a
vodka martini made with
Crystal Palace and one made with
Grey Goose.
Many mixed drinks can be found at the
Everything Bartender, as well as at a multitude of other specialized sites.
Good luck and have fun!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_drink
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prohibition
http://www.webtender.com/
http://www.mixdrinx.com/