Spirited Holidays: Difference between revisions

From Chanticleer Society
(Created page with "Below are a collection of "not necessarily highly researched" days which appear to be in some way cocktail/drink related. We should try to add and update to this list when add...")
 
 
(59 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
Below are a collection of "not necessarily highly researched" days which appear to be in some way cocktail/drink related. We should try to add and update to this list when additional dates, or additional information comes to light.
Below are a collection of "not necessarily highly researched" days which appear to be in some way cocktail/drink related. It also includes dates of "notable historic importance" which may provide a reason to celebrate as well. We will try to add and update to this list when additional dates, or additional information comes to light. When possible we will attempt to look up any factual information which might support or explain the reason these dates were chosen. There are some of these dates which the Chanticleer Society itself has decided to declare in order to mark specifically important dates.


==JANUARY==
==JANUARY==


National Hot Tea Month
January: National Hot Tea Month (US and Canada)


National Irish Coffee Week (4th week)
Last Week of January: National Irish Coffee Week


1             Bloody Mary Day (sometimes... See December 1)
January 1: Bloody Mary Day (#1)


11          National Hot Toddy Day
January 1, 2000: Milk & Honey opens in New York<ref>[https://www.mlkhny.com/newyork/ Milk & Honey New York website]</ref>. The bar was created by [[Sasha Petraske]] and despite its hidden location, and its "reservations only" requirement, it gained popularity amongst cocktail enthusiasts and soon-to-be craft bartenders.


16          Prohibition began (1920)
January 11: National Hot Toddy Day


17          National Hot Buttered Rum Day
January 12: National Hot Tea Day
:: Established in 2016 by the National Tea Council of the USA <ref>[https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/drink-to-your-health-this-new-year-tea-council-of-the-usa-declares-first-ever-national-hot-tea-day-300199016.html Tea Council of the USA Declares First Ever National Hot Tea Day] (PRNewswire)</ref>


19          Champagne Day
January 16, 1920: [[American Prohibition]] began


24          The Beer Can was introduced (1935)
January 17: National Hot Buttered Rum Day


25          Robbie Burns Day
January 19: Champagne Day (conflicts with Champagne Day on December 31)


25          National Irish Coffee Day
January 24, 1935: The Beer Can was introduced


31           National Brandy Alexander Day
January 25: Robbie Burns Day
 
January 25: National Irish Coffee Day
 
January 31: National Brandy Alexander Day


==FEBRUARY==
==FEBRUARY==


First Saturday of February:               Pisco Sour Day
First Saturday of February: Pisco Sour Day
::The National Day of Pisco Sour is celebrated every first Saturday of February, according to a resolution of the Ministry of Production published in 2004. Before that, it was celebrated on February 8th.
 
February 4: 1862 - Facundo Bacardi Masso, and his brother Jose, bought the Santiago de Cuba distillery and started making rum.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacardi Bacardi] (Wikipedia)</ref>


The National Day of Pisco Sour is celebrated every first Saturday of February, according to a resolution of the Ministry of Production published in 2004. Before that, it was celebrated on February 8th.
February 7: National Hangover Awareness Day


4              1862 - Facundo Bacardi Masso, and his brother Jose, bought the Santiago de Cuba distillery and started making rum. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacardi)
February 10, 1945: Rum and Coca Cola by Andrews Sisters hits #1


7              National Hangover Awareness Day
February 11: Don't Cry Over Split Milk Day


10          Rum and Coca Cola by Andrews Sisters hits #1 (1945)
February 17: National Café Au Lait Day


11          Don't Cry Over Split Milk Day
February 18: Drink Wine Day


17          National Café Au Lait Day
February 22: National Margarita Day


18          Drink Wine Day
February 22: Don Beach's Birthday


22          National Margarita Day
February 24: World Bartender Day  


22          Don Beach's Birthday
:Origin unknown, earliest reference year discovered so far is 2017.


27           National Kahlua Day
February 27: National Kahlua Day


==MARCH==
==MARCH==


1             Beer Day (in Iceland) - March 1, 1989 is when the 74 year prohibition of beer ended in Iceland. This apparently is a well-celebrated holiday in Iceland.
March 1: Beer Day (in Iceland)
::March 1, 1989 is when the 74 year prohibition of beer ended in Iceland. This apparently is a well-celebrated holiday there.


3             National Mulled Wine Day
March 3, 1897: Bottled In Bond Day
::On March 3rd, 1897, Congress passed the [[Bottled in Bond]] Act. The intent of this act was to create some strict guidelines that would allow customers to know that the whiskey they were buying was actually whiskey.<ref>[https://www.whiskeyculture.com/what-does-bottled-in-bond-mean/ "What Does Bottled In Bond Mean?"] (WhiskeyCulture.com)</ref>


4              First tavern in U.S. opens (1634)
March 3, 2003: A Tribute to "Professor" Jerry Thomas Father of the Cocktail - The Plaza Hotel, New York City
::Featuring Jerry Thomas cocktails served by [[Dale DeGroff]], [[Ted Haigh]], [[Robert Hess]], George Papadakis, [[Sasha Petraske]], [[Gary Regan]], [[Audrey Saunders]], and [[David Wondrich]]. Presented in cooperation with Slow Food NYC<ref>[http://drinkboy.com/Articles/Article.aspx?itemid=23 A Tribute To Jerry Thomas], Robert Hess (DrinkBoy.com)</ref><ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/26/dining/26NOTE.html Shaken, Stirred or Mixed, The Gilded Age Lives Again], William Grimes (New York Times)</ref>.


16          Bock Beer Day
March 3: National Mulled Wine Day


17          St. Patrick's Day
March 3: Bottled-In-Bond Day
::In 1897, the US government passed the Bottled-In-Bond law.


17          National Green Beer Day
March 4, 1634: First tavern in U.S. opens


20          Bock Beer Day
March 5: National Absinthe Day
::March 5th, 2007 marks the day in the US when Absinthe was once again legal.<ref>[https://france-amerique.com/en/the-return-of-the-green-fairy/ "The Return of the Green Fairy"] By Clément Thiery
(March 4, 2021)</ref>


27          The corkscrew is patented (1860)
March 16: Bock Beer Day


==APRIL==
March 17: St. Patrick's Day


8              Milk in Glass Bottles Day
March 17: National Green Beer Day


15          Income Tax Day (also Accountant's Day)
March 20: Bock Beer Day


16          Kingsley Amis' Birthday (1922) Gravesite reads "supreme clubman, boozer and blimp."
March 24: National Cocktail Day
::By some accounts, March 24th is apparently "National Cocktail Day", but not only is there no reference to which "Nation" it is that celebrates it on that day, there is already a "World Cocktail Day" (May 13). World Cocktail Day was declared in 2006 by the "Museum of the American Cocktail" in order to celebrate the day, 100 years prior, that the definition for the "Cocktail" is first found in print.


19          Alcohol Content allowed on labels (1955)
::The first occurrence of "National Cocktail Day" appears to have occurred in 2013 when Jace Shoemaker-Galloway declared it as such for the holiday website she was running. <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220324172725/https://www.holidailys.com/single-post/national-cocktail-day-cheers-1 holidailys.com : National Cocktail Day] (via Archive.org) </ref>


26          National Pretzel Day - celebrate this one with a beer
March 27, 1860: The corkscrew is patented.<ref>[https://patents.google.com/patent/US27615A/en?oq=27615 Corkscrew Patent #27615] (Google Patents)</ref>


==MAY==
March 27: International Whisk(e)y Day


National Egg Month
::Was first announced in 2008, and was created in honor of the late British writer [[Michael Jackson]] to celebrate his birthday. <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_whisk(e)y_day International Whisk(e)y Day] Wikipedia</ref>


Second Week: American Craft Beer Week
==APRIL==


Second Week: World Cocktail Week (Designated by The Museum of the American Cocktail)
April 8: Milk in Glass Bottles Day


4              National Homebrew Day
April 9: Gin & Tonic Day (USA)


4              National Orange Juice Day
April 15: Income Tax Day (also Accountant's Day)


4              Bourbon Whiskey Defined (1964)
April 16: Kingsley Amis' Birthday (1922)
::Gravesite reads "supreme clubman, boozer and blimp."


http://www.justaddbourbon.com/bourbonbuzz/print.aspx?id=209
April 19: Alcohol Content allowed on labels (1955)


Senate Concurrent Resolution 19
April 26: National Pretzel Day
::Celebrate this one with a beer


In the Senate of the United States
==MAY==


May 4, 1964
May: National Egg Month


Ordered to be printed as passed
Second Week of May: American Craft Beer Week


Concurrent Resolution
Second Week of May: World Cocktail Week


Whereas it has been the commercial policy of the United States to recognize marks of origin a applicable to alcoholic beverages imported into the United States; and
::As declared by The Museum of the American Cocktail in 2006


Whereas such commercial policy has been implemented by the promulgation of appropriate regulations which: among other things, establish standards of identity for such imported alcoholic beverages; and
May 4: National Homebrew Day


Whereas among the standards of identity which have been established are those for "Scotch whiskey" as a distinctive product of Scotland, manufactured in Scotland in compliance with the laws of Great Britain regulating the manufacture of Scotch whisky for consumption in Great Britain and for "Canadian whisky" as a distinctive product of Canada manufactured in Canada in compliance with the laws of the Dominion of Canada regulating the manufacture of whisky for the consumption in Canada and for "Cognac" as grape brandy distilled in the Cognac region of France, which is entitled to be so designated by the laws and regulations of the French Government; and
May 4: National Orange Juice Day


Whereas "Bourbon whisky" is a distinctive product of the United States and is unlike other types of alcoholic beverages, whether foreign or domestic; and
May 4: [[Bourbon Whiskey Definition|Bourbon Whiskey Defined]] (1964)


Whereas to be entitled to the designation "Bourbon whisky" the product must conform to the highest standards and must be manufactured in accordance with the laws and regulations of the United States which prescribe a standard of identity for "Bourbon whiskey"; and
May 5: Cinco de Mayo


Whereas Bourbon whisky has achieved recognition and acceptance throughout the world as a distinctive product of the United States:
May 6: Beverage Day


Now, therefore, be it
May 6-13: World Cocktail Week


Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring),
::As declared by The Museum of the American Cocktail in 2006. The specific dates here (May 6 to May 13) coincides with the dates in 1806 when the term "cock-tail" appeared in "The Balance and Columbian Repository (May 6, 1806), and then when the editor wrote a response to a reader which contains the first known occurrence of the definition of a cock-tail (May 13, 1806). This essentially provides us with two, often overlapping, "World Cocktail Week" celebrations, one during the second week of May, and another specifically on the dates May 6 thru 13. If you're confused, maybe you need to have a drink to settle down.


That it is the sense of Congress the recognition of Bourbon whisky as a distinctive product of the United States be brought to the attention of the appropriate agencies of the United States Government toward the end that such agencies will take appropriate action to prohibit the importation into the United States of whisky designated as "Bourbon whiskey."
May 8: "Have A Coke" day


May 13: World Cocktail Day


5              Cinco de Mayo
::As declared by The Museum of the American Cocktail in 2006. The word "cocktail" is first defined in print (1806)<ref>[https://imbibemagazine.com/origin-of-the-cocktail/ The Origin of the Cocktail] (Imbibe Magazine)</ref>


6              Beverage Day
May 16: Charles Hires invents Root Beer (1866)


6-13      World Cocktail Week
May 20: Last episode of "Cheers" airs (1993)


8              "Have A Coke" day
May 25: National Wine Day


13          World Cocktail Day: The word "cocktail" is first defined in print (1806)
May 28: Ian Fleming's Birthday (1908)


16          Charles Hires invents Root Beer (1866)
May 30: National Mint Julep Day


20          Last episode of "Cheers" airs (1993)
==JUNE==


25          National Wine Day
June: National Ice Tea Month


28          Ian Fleming's Birthday (1908)
June: National Dairy Lovers Month


30          National Mint Julep Day
June: Second Saturday - World Gin Day


==JUNE==
June 1, 1494: Scotch Whiskey Day
::(As declared by the Chanticleer Society) - Friar John Cor was recorded on June 1, 1494 as procuring supplies for the making of copious amounts of whisky for his Majesty, King James the IV. Not particularly an event of note excepting that this is the first known recorded use of the word whiskey and indicatory of a healthy and long established tradition of distilling whisky in Great Briton, else wise he'd not been making 1500 bottles of the stuff.
::"To Friar John Cor, by order of the King, to make aqua vitae VIII bolls of malt." - Exchequer Rolls 1494-95, Vol x, p. 487.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cor John Cor] (Wikipedia)</ref>
 
June 4: National Cognac Day


National Ice Tea Month
June 7, 1917: Dean Martin is born


National Dairy Lovers Month
June 8, 1751: Vodka Day
::(As declared by the Chanticleer Society) The first written usage of the word vodka in an official Russian document in its modern meaning is dated by the decree of Empress Elizabeth of June 8, 1751, which regulated the ownership of vodka distilleries.


1              Scotch Whiskey Day (mine)
June 10: Iced Tea Day


Friar John Cor was recorded on June 1, 1494 as procuring supplies for the making of copious amounts of whisky for his Majesty, Jimie the IV. Not particularly an event of note excepting that this is the first known recorded use of the word whiskey and indicatory of a healthy and long established tradition of distilling whisky in Great Briton, else wise he'd not been making 1500 bottles of the stuff.
June 12, 1744: Cachaca Day
::"The SBC (Sociedade Brasileira da Cachaça) wants to declare June 12 the International Day of Cachaça because June 12, 1744, Portugal, then colonizer of Brazil, prohibited the production and distribution of cachaça in the country."<ref>[http://www.brazzil.com/p25jul96.htm News From Brazil]</ref>


"To Friar John Cor, by order of the King, to make aqua vitae VIII bolls of malt." - Exchequer Rolls 1494-95, Vol x, p. 487.
June 16: Harry MacElhone was born this day in 1890.


4              National Cognac Day
June 19: National Martini Day


7              Dean Martin is born (1917)
June 20: Ice Cream Soda Day


8              Vodka Day (mine)
June 21: John Lermayer Day<ref>[http://www.johnlermayer.com/ John Lermayer Day]</ref>


The first written usage of the word vodka in an official Russian document in its modern meaning is dated by the decree of Empress Elizabeth of June 8, 1751, which regulated the ownership of vodka distilleries.
::As declared by the city of Miami Beach in memory of John Lermayer.<ref>[https://thirstymag.com/john-lermayer-day-miami/ June 21st officially named John Lermayer Day] Thirsty Magazine</ref><ref>[https://www.miaminewtimes.com/restaurants/john-lermayer-day-proclaimed-as-sweet-liberty-gets-tales-of-the-cocktail-spirited-award-nods-10463371 John Lermayer Day Proclaimed as Sweet Liberty Gets Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award Nods] Miami New Times, June 22, 2018</ref>


10          Iced Tea Day
June 27: National Orange Blossom Day


12          Cachaca Day
June 30: National Ice Cream Soda Day
From: http://www.brazzil.com/p25jul96.htm
" The SBC (Sociedade Brasileira da Cachaça) wants to declare June 12 the International Day of Cachaça because June 12, 1744, Portugal, then colonizer of Brazil, prohibited the production and distribution of cachaça in the country."


19          National Martini Day
==JULY==


20          Ice Cream Soda Day
Second Saturday of July: World Rum Day
: World Rum Day was launched in 2019 by Paul Jackson, spirits writer and Editor of World Rum Guide. It is celebrated on the 2nd Saturday of July each year, becoming the focal point of the wonderful series of occasions at the start of July, including National Mojito Day, National Piña Colada Day and National Daiquiri Day.<ref>[https://www.worldrumguide.com/world-rum-day.html World Rum Day]</ref>


27          National Orange Blossom Day
July 2: National Anisette Day


30          National Ice Cream Soda Day
July 2: National Flag Day in Curaçao <ref>[http://aglobalworld.com/holidays-around-the-world/curacao-flag-day/ Curacao celebrates Curacao Flag Day as a public holiday] Holidays around the World</ref>


==JULY==
July 10: National Pina Colada Day


2              National Anisette Day
July 11: National Mojito Day


10          National Pina Colada Day
July 14: National Grand Marnier Day


14          National Grand Marnier Day
July 19: National Daiquiri Day


19          National Daiquiri Day
July 24: National Tequila Day


24          National Tequila Day
July 26: National Coffee Milkshake Day


26          National Coffee Milkshake Day
July 27: National Scotch Day


27          National Scotch Day
July 31: Black Tot Day
: It was on July 31st, 1970, that the Royal Navy issued sailors with their final rum ration. <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Tot_Day Black Tot Day] (Wikipedia)</ref>


==AUGUST==
==AUGUST==


2             Peter O'Toole's Birthday (1932)
August 2: Peter O'Toole's Birthday (1932)


4             Champagne is "said" to have been invented by Dom Perignon on this day in 1693.
August 4: Champagne is "said" to have been invented by Dom Perignon on this day in 1693.
It was said that upon his first taste of his sparkling champagne wine he announced "Come quickly, I am drinking stars!". However sparkling wine was known before this time, one possible originator was Christopher Merret, who published in 1662 an account of making wines "brisk and sparkling" by adding sugars to them. Dom's quote is probably also more marketing than actual fact, since its first appearance is in a print advertisement in the late 19th century. This should not undermine Dom Perignon's value to the history of Champagne, because he did work tirelessly on advancing and perfecting the art, and almost certainly the product we drink today owes more than a small debt to his efforts.
::It was said that upon his first taste of his sparkling champagne wine he announced "Come quickly, I am drinking stars!". However sparkling wine was known before this time, one possible originator was Christopher Merret, who published in 1662 an account of making wines "brisk and sparkling" by adding sugars to them. Dom's quote is probably also more marketing than actual fact, since its first appearance is in a print advertisement in the late 19th century. This should not undermine Dom Perignon's value to the history of Champagne, because he did work tirelessly on advancing and perfecting the art, and almost certainly the product we drink today owes more than a small debt to his efforts.


5             International Beer Day (http://internationalbeerday.com/) Apparently "first celebrated" on August 5th, 2007, and henceforth christened.
August 5: International Beer Day - Apparently "first celebrated" on August 5th, 2007, and henceforth christened.<ref>[http://internationalbeerday.com/ International Beer Day]</ref>
::"On the night in question, we were beerstorming (drinking lots of beer in an effort to come up with brilliant ideas) band names for a friend's new band, but a couple of hours into the evening, talk turned to how wonderful beerstorming itself was. After thoroughly discussing beerstorming's merits someone declared that there should be a beer holiday."


"On the night in question, we were beerstorming (drinking lots of beer in an effort to come up with brilliant ideas) band names for a friend's new band, but a couple of hours into the evening, talk turned to how wonderful beerstorming itself was. After thoroughly discussing beerstorming's merits someone declared that there should be a beer holiday."
August 6: Root Beer Float Day


6              Root Beer Float Day
August 9: Diet Coke introduced (1982)


9            Diet Coke introduced (1982)
August 16: National Rum Day


16          National Rum Day
August 20: Lemonade Day


20          Lemonade Day
August 29, 2005: The Pegu Club cocktail lounge opens in New York<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/23/dining/the-pegu-club.html The Pegu Club],
Frank Bruni (New York Times)</ref>. The Pegu Club, the brainchild of [[Audrey Saunders]], ushered in craft cocktails to New York for the general public.


29           National Whisky Sour Day
August 29: National Whisky Sour Day


29           Lemon Juice Day
August 29: Lemon Juice Day


30           Mai Tai Day (as per the Trader Vic Company)
August 30: Mai Tai Day<ref>[https://tradervics.com/news/lets-get-the-record-straightthe-real-mai-tai-day-is-august-30th/ Let's Get The Record Straight: Mai Tai Day](TraderVics.com</ref>
::As with many things on the Internet, there can be some confusion about this. There are a lot of folks who appear to claim that June 30th is Mai Tai day. So far, I haven't found any rationale that supports that claim. Since the Mai Tai was invented by "Trader Vic" in August of 1944, and since the Trader Vic company itself upholds August 30th as National Mai Tai Day, I think that settles it.


==SEPTEMBER==
==SEPTEMBER==


California Wine Month
September: California Wine Month


2             Beer & Can Day
September 2: Beer & Can Day


12           Chocolate Milkshake Day
September 12: Chocolate Milkshake Day


15           National Crème de Menthe Day
September 15: National Crème de Menthe Day


19           Talk like a Pirate Day
September 19: Talk like a Pirate Day


20           National Rum Punch Day
September 20: National Rum Punch Day


21           Dale DeGroff's Birthday
September 21: Dale DeGroff's Birthday


27           National Chocolate Milk Day
September 27: National Chocolate Milk Day


28           Drink Beer Day
September 28: Drink Beer Day


29           National Coffee Day
September 29: National Coffee Day


30           National Mulled Cider Day
September 30: National Mulled Cider Day


==OCTOBER==
==OCTOBER==


American Beer Week (2nd week)
October: American Beer Week (2nd week)


1             Sake Day (Nihonshu no Hi)
October 1: Sake Day (Nihonshu no Hi) <ref>[http://sake-world.com/why-is-october-1-sake-day-nihonshu-no-hi/ Nihonshu no Hi] (Sake World)</ref>
http://www.sake-world.com/html/sw-2004_9.html
Why October 1? Several reasons. The biggest is related to the written character for sake. (For those that do not know what it looks like, go to my site at www.sake-world.com and look in the lower left-hand corner. It is the first of the three characters below the "search site" box.) Long ago, it consisted of only the right half of its current form; it did not contain the three short lines on the left that represent water. It consisted only of the part that was made to look like a jar, indicating something holding liquid, which was of course an alcoholic beverage of some sort in the mind of those reading the character.


Enter the Chinese zodiac: 12 animal signs that are traditionally used to number years in sequence, as well as months, as well as consecutive two-hour periods in each 24-hour day. The tenth of these, corresponding to the tenth month (and the tenth year and the tenth hour) is tori, or chicken (or perhaps rooster or cock). However, the written characters assigned to each of these animals are not the standard characters for the animals themselves, but rather special characters and readings applied only for these zodiacal instances.
October 4: National Vodka Day


This is where my detailed knowledge of Chinese characters and their adoption into Japanese breaks down and fades into near oblivion. For some reason, the ancient character for sake described above has been assigned to the tenth animal. It currently does not have any other use in either language. (The character, that is. Not the chicken. Chickens have lots of uses. But I digress again.)  
October 5: Bloody Mary Day (#2)
::Legend has it the world's first Bloody Mary was shaken precisely 75 years ago, on October 5, 1934-just five years after the invention of canned tomato juice-at the King Cole Bar in the St. Regis, the now-100-year-old beaux arts hotel founded by John Jacob Astor at the eminently exclusive corner of Fifth Avenue and 55th Street.<ref>[https://www.ediblemanhattan.com/magazine/bloody_marys_birthday/ Bloody Mary's Birthday] (Edible Manhattan)</ref>


So, by fortuitous coincidence, October is represented in the ancient Chinese zodiac system, also embraced by Japan, by the old character for sake. Well, isn't that *convenient*. Sake brewing begins in the fall, usually in October. In fact, until a few decades ago, the fiscal year for sake brewers began on October 1 for that reason. As technology advanced to the point that brewers were able to start brewing much earlier and continue much later in the spring than before, that tax-related fiscal day was changed to July 1, but the original date of October 1 was certainly more apropos until recently.
October 7: National Frappe Day


Indeed, October represents a beginning in the sake world: the beginning of a new brewing season. And the first day of this month is certainly a day worthy of note and some celebration in the sake world. And that is why October 1 is known as "Nihonshu no Hi," or "Sake Day," in Japan.
October 11: World Egg Day


4              National Vodka Day
October 12: First Oktoberfest Celebrated (1810)
::It was actually a party to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oktoberfest}


5              Bloody Mary??
October 16: National Liqueur Day


http://www.ediblecommunities.com/manhattan/september/october-2009/notable-edibles.htm
October 19: International Gin & Tonic Day
::Appears to have been honorarily declared in 2010 in honor of Mary Edith Keyburn, by her family. It is said she loved to have the occasional tipple of gin and tonic, and passed away on October 19th, 2010 - at the age of 95 - in the hospital with a gin and tonic at her side. It was smuggled into the hospital in a water bottle and served in a teacup. <ref>[https://www.facebook.com/pg/InternationalGinAndTonicDay/about/?ref=page_internal FaceBook: International Gin & Tonic Day]</ref> In the US, it is also celebrated on April 9th.


Legend has it the world's first Bloody Mary was shaken precisely 75 years ago, on October 5, 1934-just five years after the invention of canned tomato juice-at the King Cole Bar in the St. Regis, the now-100-year-old beaux arts hotel founded by John Jacob Astor at the eminently exclusive corner of Fifth Avenue and 55th Street.
October 20: National Brandied Fruit Day


Back then the bar served a worldly mix of socialites, including Serge Obolensky, vice chairman of the board of Hilton Hotels and a Russian native with a penchant for vodka. Obolensky asked barkeep Fernand Petiot, who'd also tended a hotel bar in Paris, to re-create the vodka and tomato juice cocktail Obolensky had recently swilled in that city, and Mary-complete with salt, pepper, lemon and Worcestershire sauce and named for the Catholic English queen who had killed so many Protestants-was born.
October 27: American Beer Day


7              National Frappe Day
October 28, 1919: The "Volstead Act" is passed by the US Congress<ref>[https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/volstead-act The Volstead Act] (National Archives)</ref>, overriding President Woodrow Wilson's veto. It establishes a definition of intoxicating liquor and provides enforcement of Prohibition.


11          World Egg Day
October 30, 1830: Birth of [[Jerry Thomas]]
 
::The birthdate listed on his death certificate is November 1st, but according to noted historian and Jerry Thomas expert David Wondrich, he was actually born on October 30th.
12          First Oktoberfest Celebrated (1810) - it was actually a party to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oktoberfest}
 
16          National Liqueur Day
 
20          National Brandied Fruit Day
 
27          American Beer Day


==NOVEMBER==
==NOVEMBER==


National Pomegranate Month
November: National Pomegranate Month
 
1              Birth of Jerry Thomas (or there abouts) in 1830, or was it 1829?


8             Harvey Wallbanger Day
November 8: Harvey Wallbanger Day


24           National Espresso Day
November 24: National Espresso Day


==DECEMBER==
==DECEMBER==


National Egg Nog Month
December: National Egg Nog Month
 
Second Week: Lager Beer Week
 
1              Bloody Mary Day
 
There is some dispute and some confusion regarding when the Bloody Mary was first concocted, and by who, and frankly, even what the recipe was. Many say that Fernand Petoit first created it at Harry's American Bar in Paris during the 1920's, where it was essentially just tomato juice and Vodka (vodka was available in Paris before it was being regularly seen in the US). Mr. Petoit then moved to the US in the 1930's where he was the head bartender at New York's St. Regis hotel. It is here that it is said that the drink went through a number of changes. First was that the more common gin was used instead of vodka. That it got the addition of Worcestershire, lemon juice, and Tabasco. And that it was given the name "Red Snapper" to be less vulgar. Later on, vodka would have been switched back in as the spirit, and the drink returned to its original name of Bloody Mary.
 
There are those however who point to George Jessel as being the originator of the drink. He himself has some slightly conflicting stories, one claims (from "The World I Lived In" 1975) that it was in 1927 in Palm Beach, that he mixed vodka, Worcestershire sauce, tomato juice and lemon to help with a hangover. But in an Ad that appeared in Colliers Magazine, March 30, 1956, George Jessel claims that he simply mixed (Smirnoff) vodka and tomato juice together.
 
In an interview with Fernand Petoit which appeared in the July 18, 1964 edition of the New Yorker, Mr. Petoit says: "...George Jessel said he created it, but it was really nothing but vodka and tomato juice when I took it over. I cover the bottom of the shaker with four large dashes of salt, two dashes of black pepper, two dashes of cayenne pepper, and a layer of Worcestershire sauce; I then add a dash of lemon juice and some cracked ice, put in two ounces of vodka and two ounces of thick tomaoto juice, shake, strain, and pour."
 
So it appear as though that while there is some contradictory overlapping of these stories, the thread of commonality here is that Mr. Petoit admits as to not as specifically "inventing" the drink, but "perfecting" it.
 
5              Prohibition repealed in U.S. (1933)
 
10          National Lager Day


12          National Ambrosia Day
First Friday of December: Bartender Appreciation Day
:: We are still doing some research on this one, but so far it appears this was first established in 2011 by Sailor Jerry Rum.<ref>[https://bartender.com/sailor-jerry-rum-exposes-americas-tipping-habits/ Sailor Jerry Rum Exposes America’s Tipping Habits! (Bartender Magazine)]</ref> There are some sources which will state it as simply being a specific date, usually "the" date it happens to occur in the year they are mentioning it, but more than one source was indicating it was December 6th so that it would be the day after "Repeal Day" <ref>[https://www.barbizmag.com/news/dec-6-bartender-appreciation-day/ Dec 6: Bartender Appreciation Day (Bar Biz Magazine)]</ref>. A Friday, between Thanksgiving and Christmas makes a lot of sense. This would be the busy time of the year, and a Friday, doubly so. What better day to "appreciate" your bartender with a great tip!


13          National Cocoa Day
Second Week of December: Lager Beer Week


14          Death of Jerry Thomas (1885)
December 1: Bloody Mary Day (#3)


20          National Sangria Day
December 5: Repeal Day
:: To celebrate the day that [[American Prohibition]] was repealed in U.S. (1933) <ref>[http://repealday.org RepealDay.org]</ref>


24          National Eggnog Day
December 10: National Lager Day


30          National Bicarbonate Of Soda Day
December 13: National Cocoa Day


31          National Champagne Day
December 14, 1885: Death of [[Jerry Thomas]]<ref>[http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n2007045783.html Thomas, Jerry, 1830-1885](Library of Congress)</ref>
::There are many instances of the date being listed as December 15th instead, but noted historian and Jerry Thomas expert David Wondrich, supports the date of December 14th instead.


December 17, 1773: The Boston Tea Party <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_Party Wikipedia: The Boston Tea Party]</ref>


==Coffee Days:==
December 18, 1917: The 18th Amendment, which would lead to prohibition in the US, was proposed in the US Senate.


May 6 = National Coffee Day
December 20: National Sangria Day


May 24 = National Coffee Day in Brazil
December 24: National Eggnog Day


July 22 = Coffee Week
December 30: National Bicarbonate Of Soda Day


July 24 = Coffee Day
December 31: National Champagne Day (conflicts with Champagne Day on January 19th)


August = National Coffee Month
==Coffee Days==


September 12 = National Coffee Day in Costa Rica
May 6: National Coffee Day


September 19 = National Coffee Day in Ireland
May 24: National Coffee Day in Brazil


September 29 = National Coffee Day
July 22: Coffee Week


October 1 = National Coffee Day in Japan
July 24: Coffee Day


November 24 = National Espresso Day
August: National Coffee Month


December 26 = Coffee Percolator Day
September 12: National Coffee Day in Costa Rica


September 19: National Coffee Day in Ireland


Websites:
September 29: National Coffee Day


http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/food-holidays.asp
October 1: National Coffee Day in Japan


http://www.tfdutch.com/foodh.htm
November 24: National Espresso Day


http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/National_Symbols/American_Hollidays.html
December 26: Coffee Percolator Day


http://www.partyguideonline.com/months/Gregorian.html
==External Websites==


http://www.mypunchbowl.com/holidays/
* https://www.drinkdays.com/full-list
* http://www.thenibble.com/fun/more/facts/food-holidays.asp
* http://www.tfdutch.com/foodh.htm
* http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/National_Symbols/American_Hollidays.html
* http://www.partyguideonline.com/months/Gregorian.html
* http://www.mypunchbowl.com/holidays/
* http://www.anyexcuseforaparty.com/excuses.htm


http://www.anyexcuseforaparty.com/excuses.htm
==References==
<references/>

Latest revision as of 15:14, 25 March 2023

Below are a collection of "not necessarily highly researched" days which appear to be in some way cocktail/drink related. It also includes dates of "notable historic importance" which may provide a reason to celebrate as well. We will try to add and update to this list when additional dates, or additional information comes to light. When possible we will attempt to look up any factual information which might support or explain the reason these dates were chosen. There are some of these dates which the Chanticleer Society itself has decided to declare in order to mark specifically important dates.

JANUARY

January: National Hot Tea Month (US and Canada)

Last Week of January: National Irish Coffee Week

January 1: Bloody Mary Day (#1)

January 1, 2000: Milk & Honey opens in New York[1]. The bar was created by Sasha Petraske and despite its hidden location, and its "reservations only" requirement, it gained popularity amongst cocktail enthusiasts and soon-to-be craft bartenders.

January 11: National Hot Toddy Day

January 12: National Hot Tea Day

Established in 2016 by the National Tea Council of the USA [2]

January 16, 1920: American Prohibition began

January 17: National Hot Buttered Rum Day

January 19: Champagne Day (conflicts with Champagne Day on December 31)

January 24, 1935: The Beer Can was introduced

January 25: Robbie Burns Day

January 25: National Irish Coffee Day

January 31: National Brandy Alexander Day

FEBRUARY

First Saturday of February: Pisco Sour Day

The National Day of Pisco Sour is celebrated every first Saturday of February, according to a resolution of the Ministry of Production published in 2004. Before that, it was celebrated on February 8th.

February 4: 1862 - Facundo Bacardi Masso, and his brother Jose, bought the Santiago de Cuba distillery and started making rum.[3]

February 7: National Hangover Awareness Day

February 10, 1945: Rum and Coca Cola by Andrews Sisters hits #1

February 11: Don't Cry Over Split Milk Day

February 17: National Café Au Lait Day

February 18: Drink Wine Day

February 22: National Margarita Day

February 22: Don Beach's Birthday

February 24: World Bartender Day

Origin unknown, earliest reference year discovered so far is 2017.

February 27: National Kahlua Day

MARCH

March 1: Beer Day (in Iceland)

March 1, 1989 is when the 74 year prohibition of beer ended in Iceland. This apparently is a well-celebrated holiday there.

March 3, 1897: Bottled In Bond Day

On March 3rd, 1897, Congress passed the Bottled in Bond Act. The intent of this act was to create some strict guidelines that would allow customers to know that the whiskey they were buying was actually whiskey.[4]

March 3, 2003: A Tribute to "Professor" Jerry Thomas Father of the Cocktail - The Plaza Hotel, New York City

Featuring Jerry Thomas cocktails served by Dale DeGroff, Ted Haigh, Robert Hess, George Papadakis, Sasha Petraske, Gary Regan, Audrey Saunders, and David Wondrich. Presented in cooperation with Slow Food NYC[5][6].

March 3: National Mulled Wine Day

March 3: Bottled-In-Bond Day

In 1897, the US government passed the Bottled-In-Bond law.

March 4, 1634: First tavern in U.S. opens

March 5: National Absinthe Day

March 5th, 2007 marks the day in the US when Absinthe was once again legal.[7]

March 16: Bock Beer Day

March 17: St. Patrick's Day

March 17: National Green Beer Day

March 20: Bock Beer Day

March 24: National Cocktail Day

By some accounts, March 24th is apparently "National Cocktail Day", but not only is there no reference to which "Nation" it is that celebrates it on that day, there is already a "World Cocktail Day" (May 13). World Cocktail Day was declared in 2006 by the "Museum of the American Cocktail" in order to celebrate the day, 100 years prior, that the definition for the "Cocktail" is first found in print.
The first occurrence of "National Cocktail Day" appears to have occurred in 2013 when Jace Shoemaker-Galloway declared it as such for the holiday website she was running. [8]

March 27, 1860: The corkscrew is patented.[9]

March 27: International Whisk(e)y Day

Was first announced in 2008, and was created in honor of the late British writer Michael Jackson to celebrate his birthday. [10]

APRIL

April 8: Milk in Glass Bottles Day

April 9: Gin & Tonic Day (USA)

April 15: Income Tax Day (also Accountant's Day)

April 16: Kingsley Amis' Birthday (1922)

Gravesite reads "supreme clubman, boozer and blimp."

April 19: Alcohol Content allowed on labels (1955)

April 26: National Pretzel Day

Celebrate this one with a beer

MAY

May: National Egg Month

Second Week of May: American Craft Beer Week

Second Week of May: World Cocktail Week

As declared by The Museum of the American Cocktail in 2006

May 4: National Homebrew Day

May 4: National Orange Juice Day

May 4: Bourbon Whiskey Defined (1964)

May 5: Cinco de Mayo

May 6: Beverage Day

May 6-13: World Cocktail Week

As declared by The Museum of the American Cocktail in 2006. The specific dates here (May 6 to May 13) coincides with the dates in 1806 when the term "cock-tail" appeared in "The Balance and Columbian Repository (May 6, 1806), and then when the editor wrote a response to a reader which contains the first known occurrence of the definition of a cock-tail (May 13, 1806). This essentially provides us with two, often overlapping, "World Cocktail Week" celebrations, one during the second week of May, and another specifically on the dates May 6 thru 13. If you're confused, maybe you need to have a drink to settle down.

May 8: "Have A Coke" day

May 13: World Cocktail Day

As declared by The Museum of the American Cocktail in 2006. The word "cocktail" is first defined in print (1806)[11]

May 16: Charles Hires invents Root Beer (1866)

May 20: Last episode of "Cheers" airs (1993)

May 25: National Wine Day

May 28: Ian Fleming's Birthday (1908)

May 30: National Mint Julep Day

JUNE

June: National Ice Tea Month

June: National Dairy Lovers Month

June: Second Saturday - World Gin Day

June 1, 1494: Scotch Whiskey Day

(As declared by the Chanticleer Society) - Friar John Cor was recorded on June 1, 1494 as procuring supplies for the making of copious amounts of whisky for his Majesty, King James the IV. Not particularly an event of note excepting that this is the first known recorded use of the word whiskey and indicatory of a healthy and long established tradition of distilling whisky in Great Briton, else wise he'd not been making 1500 bottles of the stuff.
"To Friar John Cor, by order of the King, to make aqua vitae VIII bolls of malt." - Exchequer Rolls 1494-95, Vol x, p. 487.[12]

June 4: National Cognac Day

June 7, 1917: Dean Martin is born

June 8, 1751: Vodka Day

(As declared by the Chanticleer Society) The first written usage of the word vodka in an official Russian document in its modern meaning is dated by the decree of Empress Elizabeth of June 8, 1751, which regulated the ownership of vodka distilleries.

June 10: Iced Tea Day

June 12, 1744: Cachaca Day

"The SBC (Sociedade Brasileira da Cachaça) wants to declare June 12 the International Day of Cachaça because June 12, 1744, Portugal, then colonizer of Brazil, prohibited the production and distribution of cachaça in the country."[13]

June 16: Harry MacElhone was born this day in 1890.

June 19: National Martini Day

June 20: Ice Cream Soda Day

June 21: John Lermayer Day[14]

As declared by the city of Miami Beach in memory of John Lermayer.[15][16]

June 27: National Orange Blossom Day

June 30: National Ice Cream Soda Day

JULY

Second Saturday of July: World Rum Day

World Rum Day was launched in 2019 by Paul Jackson, spirits writer and Editor of World Rum Guide. It is celebrated on the 2nd Saturday of July each year, becoming the focal point of the wonderful series of occasions at the start of July, including National Mojito Day, National Piña Colada Day and National Daiquiri Day.[17]

July 2: National Anisette Day

July 2: National Flag Day in Curaçao [18]

July 10: National Pina Colada Day

July 11: National Mojito Day

July 14: National Grand Marnier Day

July 19: National Daiquiri Day

July 24: National Tequila Day

July 26: National Coffee Milkshake Day

July 27: National Scotch Day

July 31: Black Tot Day

It was on July 31st, 1970, that the Royal Navy issued sailors with their final rum ration. [19]

AUGUST

August 2: Peter O'Toole's Birthday (1932)

August 4: Champagne is "said" to have been invented by Dom Perignon on this day in 1693.

It was said that upon his first taste of his sparkling champagne wine he announced "Come quickly, I am drinking stars!". However sparkling wine was known before this time, one possible originator was Christopher Merret, who published in 1662 an account of making wines "brisk and sparkling" by adding sugars to them. Dom's quote is probably also more marketing than actual fact, since its first appearance is in a print advertisement in the late 19th century. This should not undermine Dom Perignon's value to the history of Champagne, because he did work tirelessly on advancing and perfecting the art, and almost certainly the product we drink today owes more than a small debt to his efforts.

August 5: International Beer Day - Apparently "first celebrated" on August 5th, 2007, and henceforth christened.[20]

"On the night in question, we were beerstorming (drinking lots of beer in an effort to come up with brilliant ideas) band names for a friend's new band, but a couple of hours into the evening, talk turned to how wonderful beerstorming itself was. After thoroughly discussing beerstorming's merits someone declared that there should be a beer holiday."

August 6: Root Beer Float Day

August 9: Diet Coke introduced (1982)

August 16: National Rum Day

August 20: Lemonade Day

August 29, 2005: The Pegu Club cocktail lounge opens in New York[21]. The Pegu Club, the brainchild of Audrey Saunders, ushered in craft cocktails to New York for the general public.

August 29: National Whisky Sour Day

August 29: Lemon Juice Day

August 30: Mai Tai Day[22]

As with many things on the Internet, there can be some confusion about this. There are a lot of folks who appear to claim that June 30th is Mai Tai day. So far, I haven't found any rationale that supports that claim. Since the Mai Tai was invented by "Trader Vic" in August of 1944, and since the Trader Vic company itself upholds August 30th as National Mai Tai Day, I think that settles it.

SEPTEMBER

September: California Wine Month

September 2: Beer & Can Day

September 12: Chocolate Milkshake Day

September 15: National Crème de Menthe Day

September 19: Talk like a Pirate Day

September 20: National Rum Punch Day

September 21: Dale DeGroff's Birthday

September 27: National Chocolate Milk Day

September 28: Drink Beer Day

September 29: National Coffee Day

September 30: National Mulled Cider Day

OCTOBER

October: American Beer Week (2nd week)

October 1: Sake Day (Nihonshu no Hi) [23]

October 4: National Vodka Day

October 5: Bloody Mary Day (#2)

Legend has it the world's first Bloody Mary was shaken precisely 75 years ago, on October 5, 1934-just five years after the invention of canned tomato juice-at the King Cole Bar in the St. Regis, the now-100-year-old beaux arts hotel founded by John Jacob Astor at the eminently exclusive corner of Fifth Avenue and 55th Street.[24]

October 7: National Frappe Day

October 11: World Egg Day

October 12: First Oktoberfest Celebrated (1810)

It was actually a party to celebrate the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig and Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oktoberfest}

October 16: National Liqueur Day

October 19: International Gin & Tonic Day

Appears to have been honorarily declared in 2010 in honor of Mary Edith Keyburn, by her family. It is said she loved to have the occasional tipple of gin and tonic, and passed away on October 19th, 2010 - at the age of 95 - in the hospital with a gin and tonic at her side. It was smuggled into the hospital in a water bottle and served in a teacup. [25] In the US, it is also celebrated on April 9th.

October 20: National Brandied Fruit Day

October 27: American Beer Day

October 28, 1919: The "Volstead Act" is passed by the US Congress[26], overriding President Woodrow Wilson's veto. It establishes a definition of intoxicating liquor and provides enforcement of Prohibition.

October 30, 1830: Birth of Jerry Thomas

The birthdate listed on his death certificate is November 1st, but according to noted historian and Jerry Thomas expert David Wondrich, he was actually born on October 30th.

NOVEMBER

November: National Pomegranate Month

November 8: Harvey Wallbanger Day

November 24: National Espresso Day

DECEMBER

December: National Egg Nog Month

First Friday of December: Bartender Appreciation Day

We are still doing some research on this one, but so far it appears this was first established in 2011 by Sailor Jerry Rum.[27] There are some sources which will state it as simply being a specific date, usually "the" date it happens to occur in the year they are mentioning it, but more than one source was indicating it was December 6th so that it would be the day after "Repeal Day" [28]. A Friday, between Thanksgiving and Christmas makes a lot of sense. This would be the busy time of the year, and a Friday, doubly so. What better day to "appreciate" your bartender with a great tip!

Second Week of December: Lager Beer Week

December 1: Bloody Mary Day (#3)

December 5: Repeal Day

To celebrate the day that American Prohibition was repealed in U.S. (1933) [29]

December 10: National Lager Day

December 13: National Cocoa Day

December 14, 1885: Death of Jerry Thomas[30]

There are many instances of the date being listed as December 15th instead, but noted historian and Jerry Thomas expert David Wondrich, supports the date of December 14th instead.

December 17, 1773: The Boston Tea Party [31]

December 18, 1917: The 18th Amendment, which would lead to prohibition in the US, was proposed in the US Senate.

December 20: National Sangria Day

December 24: National Eggnog Day

December 30: National Bicarbonate Of Soda Day

December 31: National Champagne Day (conflicts with Champagne Day on January 19th)

Coffee Days

May 6: National Coffee Day

May 24: National Coffee Day in Brazil

July 22: Coffee Week

July 24: Coffee Day

August: National Coffee Month

September 12: National Coffee Day in Costa Rica

September 19: National Coffee Day in Ireland

September 29: National Coffee Day

October 1: National Coffee Day in Japan

November 24: National Espresso Day

December 26: Coffee Percolator Day

External Websites

References

  1. Milk & Honey New York website
  2. Tea Council of the USA Declares First Ever National Hot Tea Day (PRNewswire)
  3. Bacardi (Wikipedia)
  4. "What Does Bottled In Bond Mean?" (WhiskeyCulture.com)
  5. A Tribute To Jerry Thomas, Robert Hess (DrinkBoy.com)
  6. Shaken, Stirred or Mixed, The Gilded Age Lives Again, William Grimes (New York Times)
  7. "The Return of the Green Fairy" By Clément Thiery (March 4, 2021)
  8. holidailys.com : National Cocktail Day (via Archive.org)
  9. Corkscrew Patent #27615 (Google Patents)
  10. International Whisk(e)y Day Wikipedia
  11. The Origin of the Cocktail (Imbibe Magazine)
  12. John Cor (Wikipedia)
  13. News From Brazil
  14. John Lermayer Day
  15. June 21st officially named John Lermayer Day Thirsty Magazine
  16. John Lermayer Day Proclaimed as Sweet Liberty Gets Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award Nods Miami New Times, June 22, 2018
  17. World Rum Day
  18. Curacao celebrates Curacao Flag Day as a public holiday Holidays around the World
  19. Black Tot Day (Wikipedia)
  20. International Beer Day
  21. The Pegu Club, Frank Bruni (New York Times)
  22. Let's Get The Record Straight: Mai Tai Day(TraderVics.com
  23. Nihonshu no Hi (Sake World)
  24. Bloody Mary's Birthday (Edible Manhattan)
  25. FaceBook: International Gin & Tonic Day
  26. The Volstead Act (National Archives)
  27. Sailor Jerry Rum Exposes America’s Tipping Habits! (Bartender Magazine)
  28. Dec 6: Bartender Appreciation Day (Bar Biz Magazine)
  29. RepealDay.org
  30. Thomas, Jerry, 1830-1885(Library of Congress)
  31. Wikipedia: The Boston Tea Party