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National Cocktail Day

A food observance on March 24 celebrating the art and enjoyment of cocktails, mixology, and creative mixed drinks.

Wednesday

March 2027

Last updated February 26, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEMarch 24

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYAlcohol

ORIGIN

Individual Initiative

FOUNDING ENTITY

Jace Shoemaker-Galloway

FIRST OBSERVED

2013

HOW THE HOLIDAY CAME TO BE

Freelance writer and holiday enthusiast Jace Shoemaker-Galloway created this observance in 2013 to celebrate the vast variety of cocktails, honor the art of mixology, and encourage people to create and share their own concoctions.

News Archivevia calendarr.com

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Raise a glass and celebrate National Cocktail Day on March 24! This special day has been around since the early 1980s when it was created to honor one of the world's oldest drinks. From daiquiris, margaritas, martinis and more, cocktails have come a long way over time. Today we can enjoy any number of unique blends from classics to modern-day concoctions that are sure to please even the most discerning palates.

DEALS & OFFERS

2026’s deals have wrapped

See who celebrated this year, and browse offers from past years.

Offers wrapped for 2026

National Cocktail Day ran on March 24. Here’s who celebrated with offers this year.

1 brand offered a deal this year

Holidays Pub & Grill

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TIMELINE

National Cocktail Day Timeline

Origin of Cocktails

The term "cocktail" started appearing in publications and personal correspondence across the United States in the 19th Century, referring to a mix of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters.

Bartender's Guide Publication

Jerry Thomas publishes "The Bartender's Guide," the first known book to list recipes for cocktails.

Prohibition Era Begins

On January 16, the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution took effect, initiating the Prohibition era and ironically spurring a rise in cocktail culture as Americans sought to improve the taste of bootlegged spirits.

End of Prohibition

Prohibition is repealed by the 21st Amendment on December 5, leading to a boom in bar openings and cocktail creation.

Cocktail Renaissance

The craft cocktail movement begins, emphasizing fresh ingredients, mixology skills, and creative flavor profiles, updating classic recipes and inspiring entirely new concoctions.

National Cocktail Day Establishment

National Cocktail Day is established to pay homage to the rich history of cocktails, encouraging enthusiasts to appreciate the craft and enjoy their favorite blends.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Cocktail Day

Host a cocktail party

Invite your friends over and create some delicious cocktails for everyone to enjoy. Have a signature drink that your guests can enjoy throughout the evening.

MAKE

Make a cocktail recipe book

Collect all of your favorite cocktail recipes, or even create your own unique drinks, and compile them into a book. Give it to friends as a gift or keep it for yourself as a guide to make sure you always have something to impress when hosting a party.

VISIT

Visit a distillery

Take a tour of a local distillery and learn more about the ingredients that go into making great cocktails, as well as tips on creating the perfect mix.

Go on a cocktail crawl

Explore different bars in your city and sample different cocktails from each establishment. Make sure you bring along some friends so you can all share the experience.

MAKE

Make an at home bar

Stock up on essential liquors, mixers, and other ingredients, so you can whip up amazing cocktails right in your own home each time you want one.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Cocktail Day

Cocktails are fun to experiment with

Making cocktails at home can be a lot of fun - and you don't need to be an expert mixologist to do it! Experimenting with flavors is half the fun – so feel free to play around with different types of spirits and mixers until you find what works best.

Cocktails are delicious

Cocktails can be sweet and fruity, sour and tart or spicy and complex. There's nothing quite like the taste a well-made drink, especially when it's made with quality ingredients. Whether you're a fan of classic cocktails like the Martini or Manhattan, or prefer something more modern such as an Aperol Spritz, there's no denying that cocktails are absolutely delicious!

Cocktails bring people together

Having a cocktail is always a great way to catch up with friends or celebrate special occasions. It's almost like an unspoken language that everyone understands - when you all gather around for drinks you know it will be an entertaining evening! So why not make National Cocktail Day a regular event?