World Cocktail Day

Picture the scene: it’s the 13th of May 1806 and the “cocktail” has just been publicly defined for the very first time. Described in a New York tabloid as “a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters”, it’s fair to say that the infamous cocktail hasn’t strayed too far from its origins – whilst also becoming so much more than that simple definition. Now, every year, the 13th of May marks the global celebration of World Cocktail Day.

The latest trends show that it’s at-home cocktail-making that Brits are really getting into – with 64% of people often opting to ditch the bars and get creative themselves. Believed to be a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns, over the past few years, the UK has consistently been researching home bar hacks. In fact, in 2023, the nation “googled” Tequila-based Margarita recipes more than 83,000 times every single month.

When ordering at the bar, however, the most popular drink is the Porn Star Martini. Data from the latest CGA Mixed Drinks Report shows how over half of cocktail drinkers prefer classic cocktails like a Porn Star – with Sex on the Beach the next top choice, followed by an Iced Tea.

Aston spoke to mixologist G Franklin.

Photo by Jordan Nix on Unsplash

Please drink safely: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/