Mixed drink supplies drinks, distilled beverages (e.g., vodka, gin, and whiskey and fermented beverages (e.g., beer, wine, and sake) form the base of the drink. Alcoholic or not, mixed drinks incorporate some type of drink mixer, which adds sweet or sour tones (e.g., simple syrup, sour mix, and grenadine), carbonation (e.g., soda or seltzer water), or a combination of both (e.g., sodapop and tonic water). Fruit juices, dairy products, coffee, tea, and several other beverages are used, too. While certainly not required, a cocktail garnish adds a festive touch to any mixed drink. Generally, the more fruit flavors in a drink, the more
Barley The preparatory "kykeon" or mixed drink of the initiates, prepared from barley and herbs, referred in the Homeric hymn to Demeter, whose name some scholars believe meant "Barley-mother". The practice was to dry the barley groats and roast them before preparing the porridge, according to Pliny the Elder's "Natural History" (xviii.72). This produces malt that soon ferments and becomes slightly alcoholic. Pliny also noted barley was a special food of gladiators known as "hordearii", "barley-eaters". However, by Roman times, he added that wheat had replaced barley as a staple. Tibetan barley has been a staple food in Tibetan cuisine since