Why do we celebrate Cocktail Day?

The simple answer to why we celebrate Cocktail Day is this — someone got curious about the definition of a cocktail, an editor responded to their query on May 13, 1806, and ever since, the day has been set aside for cocktails.

On this day, more than 200 years ago, the editor of The Balance and Columbian Repository responded with the first-known definition of a cocktail:

“...cock-tail, then, is a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters – it is vulgarly called a bittered sling, and is supposed to be an excellent electioneering potion, inasmuch as it renders the heart stout and bold, at the same time that it fuddles the head. It is said also to be of great use to a democratic candidate: because, a person having swallowed a glass of it, is ready to swallow anything else.”

‍Phew.
I probably would’ve explained it more like: “Mixed drink. Has alcohol. Tastes very good.”

While we may not have the words to define the brilliance of cocktails, someone out there decided to give us an entire day to celebrate them.

So go on — mix up a cocktail with your friends, family, neighbor, paper-man, or just about anyone who’s around for a drink. 🍸