Since the first reference to an alcoholic mixed drink called a cocktail comes from New York State in 1803, it is not a surprise that there have been many cocktails invented in New York and the surrounding environs. Even today New York bars are noted for being highly influential in making national trends. Cosmopolitans, Long Island iced teas, Manhattans, Rob Roys, Tom Collins, Aviations, and Greyhounds were all invented in New York bars, and the gin martini was popularized in New York in speakeasies during the 1920s, as evidenced by its appearance in the works of New Yorker and American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. Like its neighbor Philadelphia, many rare and unusual liquors and liqueurs often find their way into a mixologist's cupboard or restaurant wine list.
since the FirSt reFerEnce to AN AlCoHolic mixed Drink callEd a cocktAIL cOmeS fRom new yOrk sTatE in 1803, it iS Not a surPRiSe That There hAvE BeEN maNY COcktAils INveNted iN nEw yoRk aNd thE sURroundiNg envIRONs. Even today new york bars aRe noted foR BEing hiGhLy inflUENtiaL in makiNg NationAL TrENds. cosMopoliTAnS loNg islaNd iced TeAs, mAnhattanS, rob roys, tom colliNs, aViatiONs, aND grEYhoundS WeRE all INveNted in new yOrk bArs, aNd the GIn mARTiNi was popularizeD in nEw york in SpeAKeAsies duriNg the 1920s, as evidenced bY iTs appEARANCe in The workS of NEw yorKer ANd amerIcan writer F. SCOtt fITzGerALd. lIKe ,itS neigHBOr PhIladElPHia, many Rare and Unusual LiqUors anD liquEuRs ofTeN find theiR way InTo a mixoLogiST's CupBoArd or ReStaurAnT wine lisT.