“But first, cocktails”

“But first, cocktails” is a saying that has been printed on many images. “But first, coffee” is a similar popular saying.
     
“But first, cocktail for an hour” was printed in The Globe and Mail (Toronto, ON) on April 23, 1970. “But first cocktails” was printed in the Orlando (FL) Sentinel on July 12, 1987. “But first, cocktails” was posted on the newsgroup alt.music.monkees on August 10, 2003. “But first cocktails” was posted on Twitter by Green Mountain Guardian on June 27, 2008. “great eggspectations.  but first, cocktails” was posted on Twitter by Elizabeth on August 18, 2008. “But First Cocktails” was posted on Google Books in 2018.
       
“OK, but first cocktails” was posted on Twitter by Jytte Saelen on February 18, 2015. “Ok, But First Cocktails” was posted on Google Books in 2019. “Ok, but first, cocktails” was posted on Twitter by The Smashed Pig on November 11, 2019. “OK, but first coffee” is a related saying.
     
     
23 April 1970, The Globe and Mail (Toronto, ON), “After a Fashion: 41 countries held a ball” by Zena Cherry, pg. W4, col. 4:
But first, cocktail for an hour.
 
12 July 1987, Orlando (FL) Sentinel, “Don’t Drop In” by Pat Jordon, pg. 34:
“Oh, it’s lovely,” he said of our apartment, and immediately commandeered the sofa. He opened his bags, spread his things around our living room, displaced our toiletries in the bathroom with his own voluminous collection, and then told us he liked to eat dinner late. “About 9-ish,” he said. He checked his watch. “But first cocktails.”
 
14 July 1995, Courier-Post (Cherry Hill, NJ), “Medford’s answer to an evening on the Left Bank” by Eileen Smith, pg. 20, col. 1:
But first, cocktails.
     
Google Groups: alt.music.monkees
Think Diffident, Part II
The
Aug 10, 2003, 5:09:59 PM
to
Conclusion of ” Think Diffident” by Geoff Edgers, WIRED magazine.
(...)
But first, cocktails.
   
Twitter
Green Mountain Guardian
@vt_guardian
is completely packed. Let the nomadness begin! But first cocktails.
1:44 PM · Jun 27, 2008·Twitter Web Client
   
Twitter
Elizabeth
@lizbminton
great eggspectations.  but first, cocktails.
5:44 PM · Aug 18, 2008·Twitter Web Client
   
Twitter
JG Heithcock
@jgheithcock
But first cocktails…
8:12 PM · Dec 11, 2008·Twitter Web Client
   
Twitter
Nora Crutcher Drake
@noraclark
but first, cocktails.
7:58 PM · Aug 28, 2009·Twitter Web Client
 
Twitter   
Billy Harris
@billyharris
Replying to @chefmarcmurphy
@chefmarcmurphy ok! But first cocktails in #miami #SOBEWFF next week!!
11:10 AM · Feb 15, 2014·Twitter for iPhone
 
Twitter
Jytte Saelen
@CoachJytte
OK, but first cocktails http://instagram.com/p/zQqIMcMpkX/
6:04 PM · Feb 18, 2015·Instagram
   
Twitter
Sbraga Restaurant
@sbragaphilly
But first, cocktails. #sbragaphilly
Sbraga Dining
12:11 PM · Nov 21, 2015·Twitter for iPhone
 
Google Books
Title But First Cocktails: A 6x9 Inch Matte Softcover Journal Notebook with 120 Blank Lined Pages with a Funny Wine Drinking Cover Slogan
Author GetThread Journals
Edition illustrated
Publisher Independently Published, 2018
ISBN 1720255695, 9781720255697
Length 122 pages
     
Google Books
Title Ok, But First Cocktails: A 6x9 Inch Matte Softcover Journal Notebook with 120 Blank Lined Pages and a Funny Wine Drinking Alcohol Cover Slogan
Author GetThread Journals
Publisher Independently Published, 2019
ISBN 1798293978, 9781798293973
Length 122 pages
   
Twitter
The Smashed Pig
@thesmashedpig
*us anytime anyone tries to make plans*
“Ok, but first, cocktails.” 
509 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Pig nose http://thesmashedpig.com
7:50 PM · Nov 11, 2019·Hootsuite Inc.
 
Twitter
timdunlop
@timdunlop
But first, cocktails….
3:36 AM · Jul 15, 2021·Twitter for iPhone
 
Twitter
Hugh Smithson-Wright
@HRWright
Replying to @HRWright
But first - cocktails at @TheConnaught Bar
12:59 PM · Aug 7, 2021·Twitter for Android