Updated May 08, 2013
Every year numerous competitions, seminars, conferences and expos take place that are of interest to cocktail enthusiasts, distilled spirit connoisseurs, bartenders and hospitality professionals, and any one interested in fine drinking. This calender is an attempt to organize many of those events, along with "cocktail holidays" so that you can see what's going on in the drinking world. If you know of an event or competition that is not listed, please email me the information.
One note: Whisky Live is an international celebration of whiskey and has shows worldwide throughout the year. Check their website for this year's dates.
January:
- Bloody Mary Day
January 1
Could one of the reasons Bloody Mary Day is on the first day of the year be due to the number of New Year's hangovers? Recipe
- Hot Toddy Day
January 11
One of my favorites, the Hot Toddy is one of the many classic cocktails with its very own holiday. Recipe or Hot Toddy Collection
- Hot Buttered Rum Day
January 17
Cold winter days call for a hot cocktail and today is a great excuse to imbibe on one of the favorites. Recipe
- San Antonio Cocktail Conference
Typically the last weekend of January
San Antonio, Texas
A 4-day event filled with seminars, tastings, soirees, and classes for the home and professional bartender. Proceeds for the event go to HeartGift, a charity focused on giving heart surgery to children in developing countries
- National Irish Coffee Week
4th week of January
National Irish Coffee Day falls on January 25. Recipe
February:
- Arizona Cocktail Week
Typically the last full week of February
Scottsdale, Arizona
A 7-day celebration of the cocktail in the warm Arizona sun. Check out their website for details.
- Mardi Gras Day
New Orleans, Louisiana
Drinks for the Occasion: Traditional New Orleans cocktails, of course
- National Margarita Day
February 22
Celebrate this fun "holiday" with your favorite Margarita.
- National Kahlua Day
February 27
One of our favorite liqueurs and an essential for the bar has it's own day.
March:
- National Absinthe Day
March 5
Read about absinthe and find absinthe cocktails...
- St. Patrick's Day
March 17
Grab your green cocktails, and if you must, green beer, this is a party that you don't want to miss and one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year. Guide to Celebrating St. Patrick's Day
- Whiskies of the World
Typically the end of March or beginning of April
San Francisco, California
All things whiskey.
