Fruity mixed drinks are for risk takers only

One of the earliest definitions of a cocktail as an alcoholic drink appeared in the May 13, 1806, edition of The Balance and Colombian Repository, where the editor answered the question "what is a cocktail?"" a Cock-tail is a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters.” The fruity mixed drinks we are more familiar with today began developing during prohibition. During prohibition lower quality alcohols were available. Moonshine that could literally make you go blind, or kill you, sometimes made it into the speakeasies. People started adding fruit juice, honey, sugar, or whatever else they could think of to cover up the taste of some pretty raunchy alcohols. The sweeter taste also made it easier to throw back quickly if your speakeasy got busted.  The harsher the alcohol = the fruitier your drink had to be to cover it up. It makes sense that only the real risk takers would be willing to drink the fruitiest mixed drinks.