Just about everyone knows that a cocktail is an alcoholic mixed drink that can be made with a single spirit or a combination of spirits, mixed with other ingredients such as flavored syrups, tonic water, bitters, juices, and/or herbs.

They also know that some of the most well-known cocktails include the Negroni, Martini, Margarita, Old-Fashioned, and Whiskey Sour. What many people might not realize, however, is that there is a holiday dedicated to cocktails called World Cocktail Day. This holiday is observed annually on May 13th and encourages everyone who is of legal drinking age to try out their favorite cocktail.

The History of World Cocktail Day

People have been making mixed drinks since the invention of alcohol, but the concept of the modern cocktail as we know it didn’t really begin to take shape until the 18th century. According to popular belief, the first cocktail was the Sazerac — a cocktail made using cognac or rye whiskey, absinthe, a sugar cube, and two dashes of bitters, originally from New Orleans.

However, some people have disputed this claim and stated that drinks made with cognac, bitters, and absinthe were common at that time. The origins of this holiday are currently unknown. By that, we mean that we don’t know who invented it or when it was invented.

However, that doesn’t mean that we’re entirely clueless about this holiday. We do know that it was placed on May 13th because that is when the term “cocktail” was first used in print, in 1806, referring to the Old Fashioned.

Some Entertaining Facts About Cocktails

Below are some entertaining facts about cocktails that we feel everyone will be able to impress their friends and family with. Let’s take a close look at these facts before we continue with how this day is celebrated.

• The first book of cocktail recipes was published in 1862 by Jerry Thomas.
• The most popular drink in the world is the Old Fashioned.
• The original Whiskey Sour recipe includes egg white, which creates a foamy froth in the drink.
• March 24th is National Cocktail Day.

Observing World Cocktail Day

During World Cocktail Day, bartenders all over the world take the time to showcase their cocktail-making skills. There are even competitions that bartenders can enter to find out who the most creative and innovative bartender is. Of course, this isn’t limited to professionals in restaurants and bars.

People can also celebrate this holiday and discover who in their social circle is the best at making exotic cocktails. Once that’s been determined, they can use the hashtag #WorldCocktailDay to spread the word.