National Cocktail Day
March 24, 2027
About National Cocktail Day
National Cocktail Day is observed on 24 March each year in the United States, celebrating the art, history, and culture of mixed drinks. From the first printed definition of the word “cocktail” in 1806 to the global craft cocktail renaissance of the 21st century, this day honours the creativity and craftsmanship behind every well-made drink.
How to Celebrate National Cocktail Day
Whether you are a seasoned mixologist or a curious beginner, here are some ways to raise a glass:
- Make a classic cocktail at home — Try your hand at a Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Negroni, or Martini. Classic cocktails require just a few quality ingredients and a bit of technique.
- Visit a craft cocktail bar — Seek out a bar known for its cocktail programme and order something from the menu you would not normally choose. Many bars offer National Cocktail Day specials.
- Take a cocktail-making class — Many bars, culinary schools, and online platforms offer cocktail workshops. Learn the fundamentals of shaking, stirring, muddling, and garnishing.
- Explore the history of a favourite drink — Every cocktail has a story. Research the origins of your go-to drink and share what you learn with friends.
- Host a cocktail party — Set up a home bar with a selection of spirits, mixers, garnishes, and glassware. Assign each guest a cocktail to prepare and share.
- Try a mocktail — The non-alcoholic cocktail movement has exploded in recent years. Experiment with shrubs, bitters, botanical spirits, and fresh juices to create sophisticated alcohol-free drinks.
- Support your local distillery — Many craft distilleries offer tastings and tours. Buying locally produced spirits supports small businesses and gives you a connection to what goes into your glass.
- Share your creations — Post your National Cocktail Day drinks on social media and join the conversation about what makes a great cocktail.
What is National Cocktail Day?
National Cocktail Day is an annual celebration of cocktails and the mixology tradition. The day recognises the long and colourful history of mixed drinks, from early 19th-century taverns to today’s sophisticated craft bars. It is observed by bartenders, spirits brands, restaurants, and cocktail enthusiasts across the United States.
The observance also acknowledges the cocktail’s role as a social ritual — a marker of celebration, conversation, and hospitality that has persisted across cultures and centuries. If you enjoy World Cocktail Day on 13 May, this earlier date offers another chance to explore mixology.
When is National Cocktail Day?
National Cocktail Day falls on Wednesday, 24 March 2027. It is celebrated on the same date every year.
The History of National Cocktail Day
National Cocktail Day was established in 2013 by Jace Shoemaker-Galloway, a freelance writer and holiday enthusiast who created the day to celebrate the joy and history of mixed drinks. The date of 24 March does not correspond to a specific historical event in cocktail history but was chosen to provide a mid-spring moment of celebration.
The history of cocktails themselves, however, stretches back centuries. The word “cocktail” first appeared in print in 1803 in a publication called The Farmer’s Cabinet, where it was mentioned in a humorous diary entry about drinking. The first formal definition came three years later, on 13 May 1806, in the Balance and Columbian Repository, a New York newspaper, which described a cocktail as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters.”
The golden age of cocktails arrived in the mid-to-late 19th century, when bartenders like Jerry Thomas — often called the “father of American mixology” — published recipe books and elevated drink-making to a respected craft. Prohibition (1920-1933) drove cocktail culture underground and, paradoxically, helped spread it internationally, as American bartenders relocated to Europe, Cuba, and beyond. The post-Prohibition era saw the rise of tiki culture and exotic cocktails in the 1940s and 1950s, followed by a long decline in cocktail quality during the 1970s and 1980s when pre-made mixes dominated.
The modern craft cocktail renaissance began in the 1990s, led by bartenders at venues like New York’s Rainbow Room and later the influential bar Milk & Honey. This movement emphasised fresh ingredients, historical recipes, precise technique, and respect for the traditions that National Cocktail Day now celebrates.
Fun Facts About National Cocktail Day
- The first known printed use of the word “cocktail” in reference to a drink appeared in The Farmer’s Cabinet on 28 April 1803.
- Jerry Thomas, the “father of American mixology,” published The Bartender’s Guide in 1862, the first known cocktail recipe book.
- During Prohibition, American bartenders who moved abroad helped establish cocktail culture in cities like London, Paris, and Havana.
- The Martini, one of the world’s most famous cocktails, has been referenced in literature and film for over a century, with James Bond’s “shaken, not stirred” order becoming perhaps the most quoted drinks instruction in pop culture.
- The global cocktail market was valued at over $1.6 trillion in 2022, reflecting the enduring popularity of mixed drinks worldwide.
Why National Cocktail Day Matters
Cocktails represent more than alcohol and ice. They are an expression of craftsmanship, cultural exchange, and hospitality. The cocktail bar has long served as a social gathering point where people connect over shared experiences. National Cocktail Day celebrates this tradition and the bartenders, distillers, and drink innovators who keep it alive. The day also supports the broader hospitality industry and encourages responsible, informed drinking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Cocktail Day?
National Cocktail Day is an annual observance on 24 March celebrating the history, artistry, and social culture of cocktails and mixed drinks.
When is National Cocktail Day in 2027?
National Cocktail Day falls on Wednesday, 24 March 2027.
What was the first cocktail?
The exact first cocktail is unknown, but the word was first defined in print in 1806 as a mix of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters — essentially describing what we now call an Old Fashioned.
Spread the Word
Raise a glass to mixology and share your favourite cocktails on social media with #NationalCocktailDay and #NationalCocktailDay2027. Tag your favourite bartender or bar and celebrate the craft!
Related Awareness Days
- World Cocktail Day — Observed on 13 May, marking the anniversary of the first published definition of the word “cocktail” in 1806.
- National Tequila Day — Celebrated on 24 July, honouring one of the most popular spirits used in cocktails worldwide.
- International Gin and Tonic Day — A celebration on 19 October of one of the world’s most classic spirit-and-mixer combinations.
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