From the old fashioned to the mojito, cocktails are a centerpiece of celebrations and nights out. National Cocktail Day, on March 24, celebrates the craft of mixing drinks for adults of legal drinking age. It is a great day to learn a classic recipe, visit a bar known for its bartenders, or experiment with alcohol-free mocktails that anyone can enjoy. As always, the key is to celebrate responsibly.
History of National Cocktail Day
Mixed drinks are old, but the word 'cocktail' appears in print in the early 1800s. In 1806, a newspaper in Hudson, New York, defined a cocktail as a drink made of spirits, sugar, water and bitters, which is essentially an old fashioned.
In 1862, bartender Jerry Thomas published one of the first bartending guides in the United States, with recipes for punches, sours, slings and cocktails. The late 1800s and early 1900s are often called the golden age of cocktails, when drinks like the martini and Manhattan became popular.
Prohibition from 1920 to 1933 closed legal bars in the United States, and some bartenders moved to Europe and Cuba. After World War II, tiki drinks and sweet cocktails became fashionable. Since the 2000s, a 'craft cocktail' revival has brought back classic recipes and fresh ingredients. Who created National Cocktail Day is not documented.
Why National Cocktail Day Matters
Cocktails are a part of social history and hospitality, and many bartenders treat drink-making as a craft.
The same techniques, balancing sweet, sour and bitter, also make excellent alcohol-free drinks.
How to Celebrate National Cocktail Day
- Learn a classic: make an old fashioned, daiquiri or margarita.
- Make a mocktail: try a virgin mojito or a sparkling citrus spritz.
- Use fresh ingredients: squeeze fresh citrus for better flavor.
- Visit a cocktail bar: ask the bartender for a recommendation.
- Drink responsibly: enjoy in moderation, drink water and never drink and drive.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, a mocktail-making session is an inclusive, fun team activity that anyone can join, with fresh fruit, herbs and sparkling water. If alcohol is served at an after-hours event, provide plenty of non-alcoholic options and food. In classrooms, the day is best approached through history or chemistry without alcohol, such as how acids and sugars balance flavor in lemonade or how Prohibition shaped American life. At home, adults can try a classic recipe, while children help make colorful mocktails. Store alcohol securely and plan safe rides home.
Fun Facts About National Cocktail Day
- A cocktail was defined in print in 1806.
- Jerry Thomas published an early bartending guide in 1862.
- Many bartenders left the U.S. during Prohibition.
National Cocktail Day FAQs
When is National Cocktail Day?
National Cocktail Day is March 24.
When was the word cocktail first defined?
In an 1806 newspaper in Hudson, New York.
What is a mocktail?
A mixed drink made without alcohol.
What is a classic cocktail to start with?
The old fashioned or daiquiri are simple classics with few ingredients.