Our Guide to World Cocktail Day

May 13th is World Cocktail Day. We’re shaking things up with a look at the cocktail’s rich history and iconic classics. We'll also be looking into delicious twists that make this liquid art form so irresistible.

Let’s stir it up, shall we?

Brits Did It First (Sorry, America)

Most people believe cocktails started in the U.S. However, the term first appeared in London in 1798. It was in a gossip-filled British publication. That’s almost a decade before the first American mention.

History of World Cocktail Day

On May 13th, 1806, we celebrate World Cocktail Day. A New York editor defined the cocktail. He said it is “a stimulating liquor, made of any kind of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters.”

Or, as he cheekily added, something that made the heart bold enough to campaign for office. (And Probably do a few other questionable things).

So yes — cocktails may have evolved into icons of American culture, but their roots? Positively British.

From Bittered Sling to Masterpiece

Today’s cocktails are miles away from the original “bittered sling.” They’re bold, creative, and built with premium ingredients that elevate a simple drink into an unforgettable experience. Think quality spirits, imaginative garnishes — and, of course, mixers like Double Dutch that bring balance, flavour and fizz.

Modern mixology is a cocktail of chemistry, craft, and a little bit of magic.

Classics with Staying Power

Let’s talk icons:

The Old Fashioned

Smooth, timeless, and packing a whiskey-fuelled punch.

The Martini

Effortlessly chic. Dry, clean, and a staple of stylish sippers everywhere.

The Negroni

Bittersweet and bold, just like your favourite playlist.

The Highball

Simple, refreshing, and seriously underrated.

Every era has its own signatures — but the best ones stay with us, served with a twist and a story.

Craft Meets Creativity

Making cocktails is more than following a recipe. It’s about balance, it’s about style, it’s about knowing when to stir and when to shake. It’s about flavours that sing together (or clash in the best possible way).

Beautiful and Tasty

And then there’s the look — because let’s face it, a cocktail should be as beautiful as it is tasty. Think chilled glassware, bold garnishes, and a colour palette worthy of your camera roll.

Let’s Mix One Up: Cointreau & Ginger Ale Highball

Simple. Citrusy. So, so good.

Ingredients:

• 50ml Cointreau
• 150–200ml Double Dutch Ginger Ale
• Orange slice

Method:

• Add ice to a highball glass
• Pour in Cointreau
• Top with Double Dutch Ginger Ale
• Stir, garnish, sip

Highballs are all about elegance in simplicity — and this one hits all the right notes.

The Martini – Stirred, Shaken, Always Iconic

Forget what 007 said — the Martini’s real magic is in the balance. Whether you go gin or vodka, it’s a drink that means business.

Our Take:

• 100ml gin (or vodka)
• 50ml dry vermouth
• Twist of lemon or a couple of queen olives

Chill your glass. Stir your spirits. Strain and serve. Elegant, icy perfection.

Negroni Leggero – A Lighter Twist

Bittersweet and effortlessly cool, the Negroni never goes out of style. But we’ve dialled it back for a lighter, longer sip.

Ingredients:

• 20ml Campari
• 20ml London Dry Gin
• 20ml Sweet Vermouth
• 150ml Double Dutch Pink Grapefruit Soda
• Orange twist

Method:

Build in a rocks glass, stir, top with grapefruit soda, garnish and enjoy.

Double Dutch Summer Spritz

Bright, botanical, and ridiculously refreshing.

Ingredients

• 25ml elderflower liqueur
• 25ml dry vermouth
• 150ml Double Dutch Cucumber & Watermelon
• Ribbon of cucumber
• Sprig of fresh mint

Method

Fill a large wine or balloon glass with ice. Add the elderflower liqueur and dry vermouth. Top generously with Double Dutch Cucumber & Watermelon. Stir gently to mix, then garnish with a curled cucumber ribbon and mint sprig.

It’s crisp, floral, and dangerously drinkable — the kind of cocktail that makes you wish summer lasted all year.

Why Cocktails Matter

Cocktails are more than drinks — they’re conversation starters, memory makers, little moments of joy in a glass.

Creativity and Celebration

From secret speakeasies during Prohibition to the modern cocktail renaissance (yes, we see you TikTok bartenders). Cocktail culture has always been about creativity, rebellion, and celebration. Today, anyone with a bottle and a dream can learn to mix like a pro — and that’s something worth raising a glass to.

Ways to Celebrate World Cocktail Day

Ready to join the party? Here’s how to mark the occasion:

Try a new recipe

Classic or experimental, just get mixing

Visit a local bar

Support your favourite bartenders and sip something new

Upgrade your bar cart

New spirit, fancy bitters, or a case of Double Dutch

Learn the lore

Discover the stories behind your favourite drinks

Make it Instagrammable

Aesthetics matter. You know it.

A Global Affair: How Cocktail Culture Crossed Borders

Cocktails may have had their formal definition in early America, mixed drinks quickly became a global obsession. Each region has added its own flair, flavour, and philosophy to the craft — making today’s cocktail scene more vibrant than ever.

Japanese Cocktails

Japan is renowned for its highly ritualistic approach to bartending. Japanese mixologists treat each drink with meticulous precision. From hand-cutting crystal-clear ice to performing silent, fluid motions behind the bar. The “hard shake,” a signature technique developed in Tokyo, has become legendary among cocktail purists.

Explore - The Best Japanese cocktails

Italian Cocktails

In Italy, cocktails aren’t just drinks — they’re a lifestyle. The aperitivo tradition, which includes classics like the Negroni, Americano, and Aperol Spritz, is about more than sipping. It’s about pausing, connecting, and easing into the evening with style.

Learn - Italian Cocktail History

Mexican Cocktails

Mexico has taken centre stage in recent years with the rise of mezcal- and tequila-based cocktails. Earthy, smoky, and deeply rooted in culture, these agave spirits bring bold, complex character to modern mixes. Cocktail mixes like the Oaxacan Old Fashioned or a spicy Paloma twist.

Find out - How Experts Make Tequila

The beauty of today’s cocktail scene lies in its diversity — a melting pot of techniques, ingredients, and stories. Wherever you go in the world, there's a cocktail that captures the local spirit.

Modern Cocktail Trends to Watch

Just like fashion or food, cocktail culture evolves with the times. Here are some of the most exciting trends shaping bars and at-home mixology in 2025:

Mindful Mixology

Low- and no-alcohol cocktails have exploded in popularity as drinkers embrace moderation and wellness. Sophisticated “mocktails” now feature premium ingredients and zero-proof spirits. Proving you don’t need booze to sip in style.

Sustainable Sipping

From repurposing citrus peels to eliminating plastic straws, eco-conscious bars are reducing waste and getting creative. Bartenders are crafting drinks with leftover kitchen ingredients and creating their own infusions. Tinctures, and syrups to minimise environmental impact.

Tech Meets Taste

AI-powered cocktail machines and digital recipe generators are changing how we mix. Smart home bars can now recommend recipes based on what’s in your cupboard. While some restaurants are even exploring robot mixologists.

Sensory Experiences

Expect cocktails that go beyond taste — drinks that fog, sparkle, glow, or even change colour. Ingredients like butterfly pea flower or dry ice creates visual magic that complements the flavour profile.

TikTok Bartending

Social media is now the world’s fastest mixology school. Creators on TikTok and Instagram are reinventing classics, teaching new techniques, and turning every cocktail into a shareable spectacle. From clarified milk punches to upside-down shaken margaritas, the bar is getting bolder — and more accessible.

Fun Facts About Cocktails

Let’s end on a high note — here are five things you probably didn’t know about your favourite drinks:

Most Expensive Cocktail

The world’s priciest cocktail — the “Diamonds Are Forever” Martini — costs $12,500 and includes a real diamond at the bottom of the glass.

Etymology Mystery

Some believe “cocktail” comes from the French coquetier, an egg cup used in New Orleans to serve brandy mixtures in the 1800s.

Hemingway’s Daiquiri

Ernest Hemingway famously tweaked the daiquiri to suit his sugar-free preferences — asking for double rum and no sweetener. It was nicknamed the “Papa Doble.”

Disappearing Acts

The Aviation cocktail, made with crème de violette, nearly vanished for half a century. This is because its signature ingredient was no longer produced — until it made a comeback in the 2000s.

Ice, Ice, Baby

In Japan, bartenders often spend 10 minutes sculpting a single hand-cut ice cube. Why? Clearer ice melts slower and preserves the drink’s flavour integrity longer.

So... What Are You Sipping on May 13th?

Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or just here for the garnish, World Cocktail Day is the perfect excuse to mix. Mingle, and make memories — one delicious drink at a time.

Cheers to the cocktail. Cheers to creativity. Cheers to YOU. 🥂