A fruit cocktail is a combination of fruits, fresh or preserved, that are sliced into small, bite-size pieces. The dish is also known as a fruit cup. Often, syrup is made to drizzle over the fruits for flavor and to prolong freshness. While the term cocktail usually refers to an alcoholic mixed drink, in this case, the term refers to a food served as a first-course appetizer, like a salad. In other instances, the dish is eaten as a dessert. The dish can be prepared at home and in restaurants, but it is also sold widely as a canned food.