Food & Drink
Cocktails Deep Dive Quiz
From Prohibition speakeasies to modern mixology — shake up your knowledge.
From Prohibition speakeasies to modern mixology — shake up your knowledge.
The Espresso Martini was invented in 1983 by London bartender Dick Bradsell, and it has since become one of the most ordered cocktails worldwide. This deep dive quiz covers everything from the first printed use of the word "cocktail" in 1806 to modern molecular mixology techniques.
Each round presents 10 randomized questions from a pool of 50, with four multiple-choice options and instant feedback after every answer. Your final score comes with a performance tier and shareable results.
You'll explore the history of Prohibition-era speakeasies, learn why bartenders shake cocktails with citrus but stir spirit-forward drinks, discover the origins of tiki culture, and test your knowledge of classic recipes from the Old Fashioned to the Negroni. Whether you're a home bartender or a cocktail enthusiast, there's plenty to challenge you.
The Sazerac, originating in New Orleans in the mid-1800s, is often cited as the oldest American cocktail. However, the Old Fashioned has a strong claim as the oldest cocktail recipe, as it follows the original definition of a "cocktail" published in 1806: spirit, sugar, water, and bitters.
In the novels and films, Bond orders a vodka martini "shaken, not stirred." Purists argue this is technically incorrect — spirit-forward cocktails like martinis should be stirred to maintain clarity and silky texture. Shaking over-dilutes and aerates the drink. Some theories suggest Ian Fleming simply preferred the colder temperature that shaking produces.
Shaking is used for cocktails containing citrus juice, dairy, or egg whites — it chills rapidly, dilutes more, and creates aeration and froth. Stirring is used for spirit-forward cocktails like Martinis, Manhattans, and Negronis — it chills gently while preserving clarity and a silky mouthfeel.
Last updated: April 2026