1. A mixed drink, usually spirits mixed with fruit juice or other alcoholic drinks
   "The bartender created a new cocktail for the restaurant's summer menu"
    
2. An appetizer served as a first course at a meal
   "We started with a shrimp cocktail"
    
3. A mixture of any substances, emotions, factors, etc. (esp. one that is harmful or disturbing)
   "a cocktail of drink and drugs that led to his death"; "a bewildering cocktail of emotions"

Derived forms: cocktails

Type of: appetiser [Brit], appetizer, mixed drink, starter

Encyclopedia: Cocktail