Elina ShatkinWorld Cocktail Day, the culmination of World Cocktail Week, is tomorrow, May 13th, but in true tippler fashion, we're starting the celebration today. Didn't even know you had an excuse to drink, did you?
Why May 13th? Our pal at Thirsty in LA tells us that the date coincides with the earliest uses of the term “cocktail” in the May 1806 editions of the The Balance and Columbian Repository. After the jump, 10 ways to celebrate the holiday at local bars.
Caña Rum Bar: If you've wanted to check out 1-year-old Caña, one of our very favorite cocktail bars in town, but have hesitated because of the $20 annual membership fee, tonight's your lucky night. Bartender and GM Allan Katz is throwing a fundraiser for the Museum of the American Cocktail (MOTAC) in New Orleans. Founded by Dale DeGroff, it's a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating the cocktail and educating people about mixology. In addition to the regular Caña menu, revelers can choose between six classic non-rum cocktails. The official holiday isn't until tomorrow, but if you start celebrating tonight, you'll be the first person toasting World Cocktail Day when the clock strikes midnight. No RSVP needed; tell the doorman you're there to celebrate World Cocktail Day. (A special shout-out to Thirsty in LA, one of our very favorite cocktail blogs, which will also be celebrating its second blogiversary.)
When: Thursday, May 12th.
Harvard & Stone: Bartender Joel Cox and Original Moonshine are teaming up to present Sweet Homes for Alabama, a night of music and cocktails to benefit Habitat for Humanity in Alabama, the area hardest hit by the recent swarm of storms that ravaged the South. Mixologist Joel Black will be in the R&D bar in the back, making Moonshine cocktails for $10 each (each purchase results in a donation). This will be a very special evening for 250-300 guests and aims to raise $10,000 for the cause. Tickets are $10 and can be ordered here. Musical guests include Mohawk + Elsinore, Preston Lovinggood, Stone Darling and Sanders Bohlke. All proceeds will go directly to Habitat for Humanity in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
When: Thursday, May 12th
Stark Bar: Enjoy $6 Key Lime cocktails, specially priced wines by the glass ($5) and flatbread + beer pairings ($12) along with Good Food host Evan Kleiman, who's celebrating another Good Food Happy Hour and kicking off KCRW's “Summer of Pie.”
When: Thursday, May 12th, 7-9 p.m.
Comme Ca: The hourglass cocktail menu, normally offered only from 5-7 p.m., will be available in the Comme Ca bar/lounge all day and night on Friday, May 13. That means $8 per cocktail for any cocktail on the signature cocktail list.
When: Friday, May 13th.
Bar Toscana: Bar manager William Perbellini has whipped up a Costa Smeralda cocktail special ($15), made with Moscato grapes, fresh sage leaves, fresh lemon juice, St. Germain & Ketel One Citroen.
When: Friday, May 13th.
Hatfield's: 25% off all 25 cocktails on the list. It's only available in the bar/lounge, and you must mention World Cocktail Day.
When: Friday, May 13th.
Le Saint Amour: The popular Culver City French brasserie, which recently began serving lunch, will be offering their weekend Strawberry Rhubarb Kir Royale ($12) as an aperatif for World Cocktail Day.
When: Friday, May 13th.
Pink Taco: After irking animal rights activists by painting a donkey pink and leaving it tied up outside the store as a Cinco de Mayo stunt, the Pink Taco in Century City has apologized and made nice with PETA. Through May 15th, it will be featuring a special margarita, the “PETA-rita,” with 100% of the proceeds from going to PETA. And Friday, May 13th is “bring your pet to the patio day” from 3 to 7 p.m.
Fig & Olive: The new Mediterranean-inspired spring libations include a kumquat mojito, a blood orange Rossellini, a Matador made with Zapopan Blanco Tequila, cachaca, housemade cilantro syrup and muddled jalapeños and Summer in Provence made with gin, rosemary thyme syrup, muddled blackberries and fresh lime juice.
When: Friday, May 13th.
Napa Valley Grille: Westwood Village's wine country-inspired restaurant will be pouring two new spring cocktails: the Spring Breeze made with Malibu coconut rum, ginger liqueur, lemon verbena simple syrup and fresh lemon juice, and the Spicy Lei made with tequila, fresh pineapple juice, cilantro-infused simple syrup, mint and jalapeno.
When: Friday, May 13th.
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