Mark your calendars! On May 13th, cocktail enthusiasts worldwide raise a glass of mixed drinks to celebrate World Cocktail Day.
This special day is a chance to celebrate the rich history, artistry, and global influence of mixed drinks.
It's a day to explore new flavor combinations, learn about iconic cocktails from different cultures, and, most importantly, have fun experimenting with your own creations.
But where did this boozy holiday come from, and how can you celebrate it in style?
A Toast to History: The Origins of World Cocktail Day
Where exactly did this boozy holiday come from, you ask?
The truth is, there's a bit of mystery surrounding its exact origin, but the stories behind its potential beginnings are fascinating!
The 1806 "Cocktail" Definition
The most widely accepted theory points to 1806. On May 13th of that year, a New York tabloid called The Balance and Columbian Repository published the first known definition of the word "cocktail."
Responding to a reader's question, Editor Harry Croswell described a cocktail as "a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters."
This definition marked a turning point, naming this increasingly popular mixed drink.
However, it was only in 2006 that the International Bartenders Association (IBA) started celebrating this day, honoring the wide variety of cocktails and the bartenders making them.
Cocktails: A British or American Innovation?
There are differing opinions on the origins of cocktails as a drink. While the 1806 definition solidified the term in the US, some believe cocktails originated in 19th-century Britain.
However, another theory credits American bartender Jerry Thomas, who published "The Bartender's Guide" in the mid-1800s. This book served as an encyclopedia of cocktail recipes and techniques, further solidifying the cocktail's place in American culture.
Prohibition and the Rise of Creative Cocktails
The American prohibition era (1920s-1933) presented a unique challenge for alcohol lovers.
With high-quality alcohol scarce, bartenders got creative, using inventive mixes to mask the taste of less desirable spirits. For example, the Bee's Knees cocktail was created to improve and mask the taste of illegally brewed "bathtub gin."
This period gave birth to many popular cocktails we still enjoy today, including the rum mojito, the Sidecar, and the Tom Collins.
Today, World Cocktail Day is A Celebration of Global Mixology
World Cocktail Day isn't just about classics like the Old Fashioned or the Manhattan. It's a chance to explore the vibrant world of cocktails from every corner of the globe.
From Brazil's refreshing Caipirinha to Italy's potent Negroni, each country has its unique cocktail culture.
A World Tour in Cocktails!
The Old Fashioned (USA)
This timeless drink, believed to have originated in the 1800s, celebrates simple, high-quality ingredients.
Traditionally made with whiskey, sugar, bitters, and a citrus twist, the Old Fashioned is a testament to the power of balance and craftsmanship.
The Margarita (Mexico)
This vibrant tequila-based cocktail is a Mexican icon.
While there are variations on its origin story, one popular tale credits a socialite named Margarita with inventing it in the 1940s.
Regardless of its exact origin, the Margarita's refreshing blend of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur has captured hearts (and taste buds) worldwide.
The Daiquiri (Cuba)
This simple yet sophisticated rum cocktail is a staple in Cuban culture.
Legend has it that an American engineer named Jennings Cox invented it in the early 1900s, using ingredients readily available in a remote Cuban mining camp.
The Daiquiri's clean flavor profile, featuring rum, lime juice, and sugar, makes it a timeless classic.
The Caipirinha (Brazil)
This refreshing, muddled cocktail is a true taste of Brazil.
Cachaça, a Brazilian sugarcane spirit, is mixed with fresh limes and sugar to create a drink that's both sweet and tart.
The Caipirinha is a perfect companion for a hot summer day.
The Negroni (Italy)
This sophisticated Italian apéritif combines gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
Its origins are a bit hazy, but its popularity has soared in recent years.
The Negroni's bitter-sweet flavor profile is a delightful twist on the traditional cocktail experience.
The Singapore Sling (Singapore)
This gin-based cocktail is a national icon of Singapore.
Invented in the early 1900s at the Raffles Hotel, the Singapore Sling is a complex blend of gin, cherry brandy, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine, and bitters.
Its vibrant pink color and sweet-tart flavor make it a truly unique experience.
The Pisco Sour (Peru)
This national drink of Peru is a delicious combination of Pisco (a grape brandy), lime juice, sugar, egg white, and Angostura bitters.
The egg white in the Pisco Sour creates a frothy texture and a smooth, balanced flavor.
The Mai Tai (Polynesia)
Transport yourself to the tropics with this rum-based cocktail featuring almond syrup, orange curaçao, orgeat syrup (almond-flavored syrup), and lime juice.
The Mai Tai's complex flavor profile and festive presentation make it a delightful escape.
Mixing Up the Fun: World Cocktail Day Ideas
So, how can you celebrate World Cocktail Day in a fun and flavorful way?
Here are a few World Cocktail Day ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Take a Global Cocktail Tour
Why not set out on a taste bud adventure around the world? Pick a few countries that pique your interest and research their signature cocktails. You can find plenty of easy-to-follow recipes online.
Quick & Easy Party Tip
To make things easier (and more affordable – cocktail ingredients add up), use Art & Rev's canned cocktails as a base to spice things up.
For example: Feeling like a trip to France?
Our Citrus Vodka Soda is the perfect base for a delightful French Kiss (the cocktail, not the kiss). A French Kiss is usually made with bubbly and Chambord (a raspberry liqueur), but we’ll be cheating a bit.
Pour half a can of our Vodka Soda into a beautiful glass. Add a splash of cranberry juice for a touch of sweetness, and top it off with a few fresh raspberries – a Parisian vibe made easy.
Host a World Cocktail Day Party
Gather your friends and transform your home into a mini international cocktail festival.
Ask everyone to bring a signature drink from a different country or have a potluck of ingredients and get creative together.
Quick & Easy Party Tip
Running short on time or ingredients? Art & Rev cocktails are your saving grace.
Our range of flavors can be enjoyed straight from the can or used as a base for simple mixed drinks.
Celebrating World Cocktail Day with Art & Rev
While these classic and international cocktails are worth exploring, convenience and quality can sometimes go hand-in-hand.
Art & Rev offers a delicious solution for celebrating World Cocktail Day (or any day!)
Our canned cocktails are crafted with premium spirits, real ingredients, and a higher alcohol and lower sugar content than many spiked seltzers.
But How Did Art & Rev Come About?
The founders of Art & Rev share a passion for good taste, strong cocktails, and the creative spark that ignites when art and music collide.
This very spirit of exploration and appreciation for quality ingredients is what drives their desire to advance the canned cocktail experience.
World Cocktail Day embodies this same spirit of exploration and celebration.
Here's Why Art & Rev is Perfect for World Cocktail Day
- Variety. From the refreshing Orange Gin Spritz to the classic Whiskey Buck, Art & Rev offers a range of delicious flavors to suit your taste.
- Convenience. No need to measure, muddle, or mix! Art & Rev cocktails are pre-made and ready to enjoy – simply pop a can open and pour.
- Quality in Every Sip. Don't be fooled by the convenience. Art & Rev uses high-quality ingredients for a taste that rivals a handcrafted cocktail.
- Perfect for Entertaining. Art & Rev's portability and variety make them ideal for sharing with friends at a World Cocktail Day gathering.
So, raise a can (or two) of Art & Rev to World Cocktail Day!
Explore the world of cocktails, experiment with new flavors, and celebrate the artistry and joy of this delightful beverage.
