“bathtub gin” slowed further progress from
1920 to 1934. In the 1950s, mixologists
discovered the value of vodka as a largely
flavorless alcohol, and the appeal of sweet-
tart fruit juices and sweet liqueurs. Over the
next few decades they concocted such broadly
popular drinks as the mai tai, piña colada,
screwdriver, daiquiri, margarita, and tequila
sunrise. In the 1970s, vodka dethroned
whiskey as America’s best-selling spirit.
The late 20th century brought a modest
revival of interest in the more austere classic
cocktails, and in fine distilled spirits of all
kinds, mixed with nothing more than water.
Food Words: Alcohol
Our word alcohol comes from medieval
Arab alchemy, which strongly influenced
Western science and gave it several other
important terms, including chemistry,
alkali, and algebra. To the Arabs, al kohl
was the dark powder of the metal