World Cocktail Day: The Birth of the Cocktail and the Most Popular Drinks

The Emergence of the Cocktail
The beginnings of the cocktail lie in the 18th century. At that time, bartenders began experimenting with alcoholic mixtures. These novel creations quickly gained popularity and customers increasingly asked for "bittered slings" and "cock-tails".

According to legend, the term "cocktail" first appeared in an American newspaper on May 13, 1806. In a satirical article about his election defeat in New York, a politician mentioned, among other things, the loss of "25 dozen Cock-Tails". A reader who was unfamiliar with the term subsequently asked the editor what was meant by this type of refreshment. The editor defined a cocktail as "a stimulating drink made of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters".

The Celebration of World Cocktail Day
To mark the 200th anniversary of the first appearance of the term "cocktail", World Cocktail Day was launched in 2006. Since then, it has been celebrated annually on May 13 and coincides with the last day of World Cocktail Week.

This festive week was initiated by the Museum of the American Cocktail to promote appreciation for the art and culture of the cocktail. After all, cocktails have experienced a rapid rise in pop culture in recent years and have evolved into a quality product that is much more than just an alcoholic beverage.

The Most Popular Cocktails
Even though cocktails have evolved significantly since 1806, the basic ingredients have remained unchanged to this day: spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. But which drinks are particularly popular? Here is an overview of the cocktail classics:

• Mojito: The refreshing mix of white rum, limes, sugar, mint, and soda water originally comes from Cuba and is the perfect summer drink.
• Moscow Mule: The combination of vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice is traditionally served in a copper mug and impresses with its refreshing spiciness.
• Margarita: Tequila, Cointreau, lemon juice, and salt on the rim of the glass - the Margarita is the epitome of a summer cocktail and is available in numerous variations.
• Bloody Mary: The hearty cocktail made of vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, spices, and Worcestershire sauce is considered a popular hangover drink.
• Piña Colada: The creamy tropical drink made of white rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice instantly puts you in a vacation mood.

On World Cocktail Day, lovers of mixed drinks have every reason to celebrate. After all, cocktails have been enriching our palates and bars for over 200 years now - and will hopefully continue to do so for a long time to come. Cheers!