World Cocktail Day

World Cocktail Day is celebrated on May 13th every year. In other words, it’s just around the corner! What better way to celebrate than raising a glass dedicated to the art of mixology while reading all about it?

History of World Cocktail Day

World Cocktail Day is celebrated globally to honour the creativity and skill that’s poured into the art and craft of creating delicious cocktails. Its origins can be traced back to the beginning of the 19th century. On the 13th of May 1806, The Balance and Columbian Repository — an upstate New York newspaper — published an article in which the author gave the first recorded definition of a cocktail.

In answer to the question, “What is a cocktail?” editor Harry Croswell wrote that it is “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters.”

Cocktails were initially inspired by British punches and were likely enjoyed here in the UK before 1806. However, these early cocktails were fairly simple, containing just a few ingredients. Prohibition in the 1920s fueled the rise of secret speakeasies and underground cocktail bars in the U.S. During this time, bartenders across the pond experimented by mixing smuggled rum, gin, and whiskey with other ingredients to make them easier to drink.

Celebrating World Cocktail Day

There are countless ways to celebrate World Cocktail Day, whether you’re a seasoned mixologist or just starting out on your cocktail journey.

5 Ways to Celebrate World Cocktail Day

1. Host a cocktail party! Gather your friends and enjoy your favourite cocktails, snacks, and music, or mix up a batch of refreshing Gin Rickeys and watch The Great Gatsby!
2. If you’ve never made cocktails before, gather some ingredients and try your hand at creating a few classics.
3. Create your own signature cocktail recipe! It may take a few tries, or you may get it just right the first time. Either way, inventing an original cocktail recipe can be great fun.
4. Drop by a local bar or restaurant known for its innovative cocktails. We serve super tasty craft cocktails every weekend at the Fonthill Brewery taproom and cocktail bar in Tunbridge Wells. Meanwhile, our sister pub, The Ragged Trousers on the Pantiles, serves delicious cocktails every day, including on Monday, May 13th!
5. Sign up for a cocktail-making masterclass and learn some new techniques and recipes.

However you choose to celebrate World Cocktail Day, don’t forget to drink responsibly and have fun!

Popular Cocktail Types & Styles

Certain cocktail types have remained popular over the years, but there are also plenty of innovative and modern twists on old favourites. From classic martinis to trendy craft creations and spicy cocktails, there’s a mix to suit every taste.

Classic Cocktails

Martini

Made with gin or vodka and vermouth, this sophisticated and timeless cocktail is usually served in a chilled cocktail glass and garnished with an olive or a twist of lemon. The ratio of gin to vermouth can vary depending on whether you’d prefer a dry martini (gin-heavy) or a more vermouth-forward “wet” martini.

Manhattan

This classic cocktail uses 2 parts whiskey, 1 part sweet vermouth, and a few dashes of bitters. It’s served in a martini glass and garnished with a cherry. Manhattans are an excellent choice if you’re looking for a strong, spirit-forward cocktail with complex flavours!

Old Fashioned

True to its name, the vintage Old Fashioned dates back to the early 19^th century. It’s made using bourbon (or rye whiskey, if preferred), sugar, and Angostura bitters. The rich, intense cocktail is usually garnished with a citrus twist.  

Gimlet

According to (fictional) private detective Philip Marlow, “A real gimlet is half gin and half Rose’s Lime Juice and nothing else. It beats Martinis hollow.”  The result is a sweet-sour drink—best served chilled! While the gin-to-lime ratio can be adjusted to taste, it’s typically 1 part lime to 2 parts gin.

Negroni

This classic Italian cocktail is a firm favourite amongst cocktail connoisseurs. Made using equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, the Negroni offers a bitter and complex flavour profile. It makes for an excellent aperitif to enjoy before dinner!

Daiquiri

The classic Daiquiri is a super refreshing, tangy cocktail made with rum, lime juice, and sugar syrup, shaken with ice and strained into a chilled glass. Modern twists on the classic cocktail include different fruit juices and flavoured syrups to create variations, such as the much-loved strawberry daiquiri.

Margarita

The Margarita is a hugely popular cocktail made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur. Usually served in a salt-rimmed glass and garnished with a lime wedge, margaritas are loved for their refreshing and tangy flavour.  Modern margaritas are often made with blended ice to create frozen versions!

Tiki and Tropical Cocktails

Mojito

Originating in Cuba, the traditional Mojito is made with rum, mint leaves, lime juice, sugar, and soda water. Probably the king of refreshing cocktails, the mojito is served over ice in a highball glass and garnished with fresh mint. This drink was made for sipping in the sun!

Piña Colada

The piña colada is a smooth, sweet, and creamy tropical cocktail made with rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. Often garnished with a slice of pineapple or a cocktail cherry, this delicious cocktail is perfect for enjoying on hot days!

Mai Tai

The Mai Tai originated in California in the 1940s. Although there is some controversy around the drink’s origins, Victor Jules Bergeron claimed to have created the cocktail. The story goes that he offered the drink to two friends from Tahiti. After taking the first sip, his friend exclaimed, “maita’i” which in Tahitian means “excellence.”

The excellent sweet and tangy cocktail is made with rum, lime juice, Orgeat syrup, and orange liqueur, shaken with ice and served over crushed ice.

Craft Cocktails

Craft cocktails are high-quality, well-crafted cocktails created using fresh, premium ingredients and more attention and skill than you’d expect from a regular cocktail bar. These cocktails often feature unique flavour combinations and beautiful presentation.

Mocktails

Mocktails are the perfect way to enjoy the flavours and aesthetic of a cocktail without the effects of alcohol. You can create a fantastic range of these delicious non-alcoholic drinks using fruit juices, alcohol-free spirits, sugar syrup, and other ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a cocktail?

A cocktail is a mix of two spirits, mixers, and additional ingredients such as fruit. The first definition of a cocktail was given on May 13^th, 1806, where it was described as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters.”

2. What are the most popular cocktails?

In no particular order, some of the most popular cocktails are:

• Martini
• Margarita
• Mojito
• Espresso Martini
• Daiquiri
• Negroni
• Old Fashioned

3. Are cocktails always alcoholic?

A cocktail is an alcoholic drink made with two or more spirits. A mocktail is a non-alcoholic alternative that resembles the flavours and aesthetic of a cocktail.

4. What’s the difference between a cocktail and a mixed drink?

A cocktail is a type of mixed drink. However, not all mixed drinks are cocktails. A mixed drink refers to any beverage that consists of two or more ingredients, while a cocktail is made with two or more spirits mixed with additional ingredients such as fruit juice, bitters, or soda water.

Today, a mixed drink usually refers to a drink consisting of one spirit and one mixer, i.e. vodka and Coke or gin and tonic.