Nglish: Cocktail Translation for Spanish Speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia Article on Cocktail A cocktail is a mixed alcoholic beverage that is usually served in a short glass. If you have too many cocktails, you may not find your way home. A cocktail usually contains one type of strong alcohol, such as gin or whiskey, mixed with something else. For example, a screwdriver cocktail is vodka mixed with orange juice. Many cocktails are mixed with a type of fruit juice that hides the taste of alcohol. The word is also used as an adjective to describe things associated with these popular drinks. For example, you can buy a new cocktail dress to wear to an upcoming cocktail. How upsetting!.