The famous cocktail of peach juice mixed with Prosecco or champagne is said to have been invented in Venice at Harry’s Bar in the 1930s, but named only in 1948 (in honour of the painter Giovanni Bellini, c1430–1516). Our earliest evidence in English comes almost two decades later than the drink is said to have been named, in 1965:

1965 Harper’s Bazaar Dec. 108/1 Bellinis. You know, peaches in champagne.

Can you help us find an earlier example? English travel writing or guidebooks, or cocktail books and menus might be a good place to start.

Watch a video where OED editor Katherine Martin talks about this Appeal:

Posted by OED_Editor on 2 October 2012 17.38
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