Featured 08:55, 22 Apr 2010 Who invented the word “cocktail”? 1st Shared By 406.media The term “cocktail” was invented in Elmsford, New York. A barmaid named Betsy Flanagan decorated her establishment with the tail feathers of cocks. One day a patron asked for “one of those cock tails.” She served him a drink with a feather in it. ID) ?>