It seems like there is a special day for just about every drink. Nicola Walker takes a look at these special dates to the end of September.
13th May World Cocktail Day
Raise your shakers, it’s the ultimate celebration – World Cocktail Day! A day to celebrate mixology, creativity, and a bit of boozy flair. This date marks the publication of the first definition of the word “cocktail” in 1806 in The Balance and Columbian Repository. It was described as “a stimulating liquor composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters.” Jerry Thomas, often called “the father of mixology,” brought cocktails into the limelight in the 19th century. A trend for 2025 appears to be ‘Tiny Cocktails’, llittle versions of classics allow cocktail lovers to enjoy a cocktails without the alcohol content of a full-sized cocktail.
17th May World Whisky Day
A day made for slow sips and deep appreciation — it’s World Whisky Day! This is the day that whisky lovers worldwide come together for a dram whether it’s scotch, bourbon or everything in between. The day was originally founded in 2012 by Aberdeen uni student Blair Bowman. and has grown into a global celebration of all things whisky. Another legendary Scottish whisky hero is Bessie Williamson who was the first woman to manage a Scotch whisky distillery in the 20th century — Laphroaig on Islay. Whisky drinkers also spend significantly more on average (£126/month) in the on-trade compared to non-whisky consumers.
25th May National Wine Day
National Wine Day is the perfect excuse for those who love a good grape to pop a cork whether it’s red, white, rosé, or orange! Archaeological evidence suggests wine has been enjoyed for over 8,000 years, with early traces found in Georgia and Iran. In 2024, the value of wine sales in the on-trade was estimated at around £4.2 billion. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio appear to be the two varietals most popular in Scottish bars and restaurants.
3rd June World Cider Day
Cider-making dates back to at least 55 BC, when the Romans found the Celts fermenting crabapples in Kent. It’s one of Britain’s oldest drinks, and still a pub staple. Across the world there are many different national and regional names for cider including Cidre, Apfelwein, Stöffche, Most, Viez, Sidra, Sagardoa. Ed Sheeran is a massive cider fan and even featured his own branded Irish cider at his Suffolk pub. * Draught cider contributes 76.9% of on-trade volume, emphasising ciders importance in pubs.
14th June World Gin Day
World Gin Day is the perfect excuse to get creative with botanicals and craft cocktails. The day was founded in 2009 by gin enthusiast Neil Houston and has since grown into a global celebration. Gin is produced in over 80 countries around the world! While the spirit is traditionally associated with the UK and the Netherlands – there is no Geographical Indicator (GI) for Scottish gin unlike whisky, so it doesn’t have any legal definition or protection around how or where it’s made.
14th June National Bourbon Day
This might be a bit of contentious day this year and some folk may move to other whiskey’s other than bourbon. In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed an Act of Congress that declared bourbon whiskey as the “Official Spirit of America”. To be classified as bourbon, the whiskey had to be made in the U.S. from at least 51% corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. Interestingly, bourbon doesn’t have to be produced exclusively in Kentucky, although about 95% of all bourbon is made there! Frank Sinatra was famously fond of bourbon.
15th June National Beer Day (UK)
National Beer Day is the perfect excuse to toast to our beloved brews! The earliest evidence of beer brewing dates back over 7000 years to ancient Mesopotamia, making it one of the oldest alcoholic beverages known to humanity. It is the world’s third-most consumed beverage, after water and tea. It’s brewed in nearly every country, with over 200 styles around the world, ranging from lagers to stouts. National Beer Day was founded in 2015 and celebrates the birthday of the “Beer Duty” repeal in 2000. Domestic premium lagers like Innis & Gunn’s Lager Beer and Hawkstone Lager are gaining traction, with consumers prioritising local production and sustainability.
19th June National Martini Day
The origin of the Martini is highly contested. Some believe it was created in the 1860s by bartender Jerry Thomas in San Francisco, while others argue it was first made in Martinez, California. Either way, it’s a classic! Though the Martini is most famously made with gin, vodka Martinis have gained popularity, especially thanks to James Bond’s iconic “shaken, not stirred” preference. Traditionally, a Martini is garnished with an olive, but some purists swear by the lemon twist. The olive is believed to represent peace, while the lemon twist adds a touch of zest.
10th July National Piña Colada Day
Get ready to bring the tropical vibes to your bar as National Piña Colada Day is all about sunshine, coconut, and rum! The Piña Colada was officially created in Puerto Rico in 1954 by bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero at the Caribe Hilton Hotel. It was then declared Puerto Rico’s national drink in 1978. Last year it was the second most popular cocktail in the UK. “Piña Colada” translates to “strained pineapple” in Spanish, referring to the fresh pineapple juice that forms the drink’s base. Rupert Holmes, who penned the famous song “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” in 1979, forever linked the cocktail to the idea of a tropical getaway!
11th July World Mojito Day
The Mojito’s roots trace back to 16th-century Cuba. The drink was believed to have been enjoyed by indigenous people, and it was later adapted by Ernest Hemingway in the 1930s, who famously drank it at La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana. His love for the cocktail helped cement its place in global cocktail culture. It is the third most popular in the UK. But over time, bartenders have experimented with the Mojito, creating variations like the Strawberry Mojito, Peach Mojito, and even Spicy Mojito with added jalapeños or chilli. The possibilities are endless, so why not try out your own spin on it!
12th July World Rum Day
Rum has been around since the 17th century, with its origins likely in the Caribbean. It was first distilled from sugarcane byproducts, primarily molasses, in the early colonial period, making it an essential part of the sugar industry. The earliest record of rum being distilled is from Barbados in 1651, though some historians trace rum’s origins back even further. Over the years rum became synonymous with pirates such as the legendary Blackbeard. Until 1970 The British Navy even had a tradition of giving sailors a daily rum ration called a “tot”.In 2023 rum sales in the UK on-trade reached £1.1 billion, overtaking whisky for the second year in a row with piced and flavoured rums accounting for 63% of total rum sales.
19th July National Daiquiri Day
The Daiquiri was invented in 1898 in Daiquiri, Cuba, by American mining engineer Jennings Cox. He created it for guests when he ran out of gin! A traditional Daiquiri is crisp, citrusy, and perfectly balanced — a far cry from the frozen, overly sweet or frozen versions found on beach menus. Ernest Hemingway helped make the Daiquiri famous. His version, the Hemingway Daiquiri (also called the Papa Doble), was made with grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur — and famously had no sugar! The Daiquiri is often a bartender’s favourite for testing a rum’s quality.
24th July World Tequila Day
Tequila was first distilled in the 16th century by the Aztecs and World Tequila Day celebrates not just the drink, but the culture, tradition, and craftsmanship behind it. Tequila is a protected designation of origin spirit made only in specific regions of Mexico, primarily Jalisco. True tequila must be made with at least 51% blue agave, but the best, 100% agave tequila, is pure, top-quality, and perfect for sipping. A few celebrities even have their own tequila brands – George Clooney co-founded Casamigos Tequila and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson founded Teremana Tequila. So whether it’s sipping a fine añejo or enjoying a Margarita or Paloma there is a something for everyone.
1st August International Beer Day
International Beer Day was founded in 2007 in California to celebrate beer’s rich history. It quickly grew from a small local celebration into a worldwide toast.It’s original aim was to encourage participants to give one another the ‘gift of beer’ by buying each other a drink and to express gratitude to brewers, bartenders and other beer technicians. According to research by YouGov – Peroni and Kronenbourg1664 were the two most favoured beers in the first quarter of 2025 followed by San Miguel and Corona.
7th August National IPA Day
National IPA Day is your chance to geek out over all things hops! IPA’s date back to the 18th century when British brewers added extra hops to pale ale to preserve it during long sea voyages to India — hence the name. After decades of decline, IPAs made a massive comeback in the 2000s thanks to the UK’s craft beer revolution. It’s now one of the most popular craft beer styles worldwide. There’s also a new IPA is set to take Scotland by storm – Alpacalypse is a Session IPA, launched by SALT brewery in partnership with Molson Coors. It was inspired by the flame-retardant Alpaca wool produced in the town where brewer SALT brewery is based.
16th August National Rum Day
Another rum day to celebrate? Absolutely! Rum is loved for its versatility, ranging from light and zesty to dark and spicy. Its popularity exploded in the mid-20th century thanks to the Tiki craze in America when cocktails like the Zombie and Mai Tai were invented. Errol Flynn, the Hollywood actor, was also known for his love of rum, famously drinking it during his adventurous travels. He even starred in pirate films, cementing rum’s association with swashbuckling culture!
25th August National Whisky Sour Day
The first known mention of a whiskey sour dates back to 1862, in Jerry Thomas’s Bartender’s Guide, often considered the first cocktail book. He included a recipe for the drink, which was described as a “whiskey, lemon juice, sugar, and water” combination. The addition of egg white likely came around the turn of the 20th century to add texture and froth. During Prohibition, the whiskey sour became a popular choice because the citrus and sugar helped mask the harsher flavours of bootleg whiskey. There are many variations of the drink now.
30th August National Mai Tai Day
The Mai Tai is often considered the quintessential tiki cocktail. The name “Mai Tai” comes from the Tahitian word “Maita’i”, meaning “good” or “out of this world.” There’s a bit of debate about who invented it — some credit Victor J. “Trader Vic” Bergeron, while others argue it was Don the Beachcomber, another tiki bar legend. Frank Sinatra is also often associated with the Mai Tai, as he famously ordered them at bars and even had a variation named after him!
6th September Pornstar Martini Day
The Pornstar Martini is one of the most popular modern cocktails. It was created by Douglas Ankrah, a bartender at London’s Townhouse bar in the early 2000s. He originally named it the Maverick Martini, but the saucier title was a marketing ploy tht stuck and helped it go global. The shot of prosecco that accompanies it acts as a palate cleanser and customers should sip it between sips of the cocktail. Don’t forget the signature garnish – the floating half passion fruit! You could even add a kick with spiced rum or vanilla-spiced vodka instead of plain vodka.
13th September National Cachaça Day
It’s time to shine a spotlight on Brazil’s national spirit! Cachaça (pronounced kashah-sah or ka-shah-shuh) has been produced since the 16th century, making it one of the oldest distilled spirits in the world and the key ingredient of a Caipirinha. It is made from fresh sugarcane juice, not molasses like rum, which gives it a grassy, earthy flavour. Brazil produces over 1.5 billion litres of cachaça a year. In 2013, the U.S. officially recognised cachaça as a distinct Brazilian product, protecting its identity. Famous fans over the years have included Carmen Miranda and the Brazilian musician Sergio Mendes.
15th September National Crème de Menthe Day
Minty and refreshing, Crème de Menthe is the star of cocktails like the Grasshopper and Stinger which were a favourite in Hollywood’s 1950s cinema and supper clubs. It was originally created in the 19th century by French herbalists, blending mint with alcohol for medicinal purposes, before becoming a popular cocktail ingredient. The most famous early brand, Get 27, was created in 1796 and remains a staple in French bars today. It can also be used a digestif after meals or in baking or desserts.
22nd – 28th September Negroni Week
Started in 2013 by Imbibe Magazine and Campari, bars around the globe now serve Negroni variations and donate a portion of profits to charities of their choice. The Negroni was invented in Florence in 1919 by Count Camillo Negroni, who asked his bartender to strengthen his Americano cocktail by replacing the soda water with gin. Popular twists include a Boulevardier (bourbon instead of gin), White Negroni (Lillet Blanc and Suze instead of vermouth and Campari) and the Tik Tok famous Negroni Sbagliato (Prosecco replaces gin)!
20th September National Rum Punch Day
Rum punch has roots in 17th-century colonial trade, especially between the Caribbean, Europe, and India. The name “punch” comes from the Sanskrit word “panch,” meaning five. This represents five key ingredients: spirit, citrus, sugar, spice, and water. Each Caribbean Island has its own signature finish and in Barbados it is often topped with a sprinkle of fresh grated nutmeg. However, there is one rule for the perfect balance, “One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, four of weak.”