National Happy Hour Day: You Had Me At Merlot

Cheers! It’s National Happy Hour Day. You better grab a cocktail because it is 5 o’clock all day today! We’ve compiled a list of drinks you can enjoy from breakfast to dinner to quench your happy hour thirst.

Morning Cocktails

1. Coffee with Almond Baileys
   • You can never go wrong with this simple combination. Any Baileys flavor will do, but for the dairy impaired, we recommend the Almond Baileys.
2. Mimosa / Manmosa
   • A classic combo of champagne and orange juice. A mimosa is both light and refreshing for an early morning beverage. Or if you feel the need to flex on your testosterone, opt for the manmosa instead which replaces the champagne with your beer of choice, though we recommend Blue Moon.
3. Bloody Mary
   • Bloody Mary’s are an acquired taste, but if you are one of the people who loves them, then go for it. The best part about a bloody mary is how customizable they are. Add some bacon, celery, olives, and even some brie if you are feeling daring.

Afternoon Spritzers

1. Screwdriver
   • A screwdriver is a blend of orange juice and vodka. Similar to the mimosa, but with a little extra strength for those afternoon hours.
2. Sangria
   • Sangria’s are easy to make and have a great flavor. Just grab an assortment of fruit and your choice of wine and you are ready to go. We recommend our Autumn sangria recipe.
3. Mojito
   • Who doesn’t love a refreshing mojito with muddled mint and lime. Use fresh mint from your own garden for the best results.

Evening Nightcaps

1. Cranberry Apple Vodka Punch
   • This is a fun take on a sangria but with vodka instead of wine. For some extra guidance as well as a Thanksgiving theme, check out this punch recipe.
2. Martini with Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives
   • A dirty martini is always the way to go, preferably with a chilled glass. However, we recommend going the extra mile and using blue cheese stuffed olives rather than regular olives. As you know from this post, blue cheese and brie are in the same moldy cheese family.
3. Wine and Beer
   • If you are not feeling inspired by all the aforementioned ideas, you can always turn to wine and/or beer to finish off the night.

Bottoms Up: Different Ways Cultures Say ‘Cheers’

1. Cheers
   • This is the English version we are all probably familiar with.
2. Salute / Salud
   • This is the Italian and Spanish version respectively, both meaning ‘in good health’.
3. Cin Cin
   • This expression is used by Italians, though it is said to have Japanese roots. While the actual meaning may not translate to a ‘cheers’ it is used because it is thought to mirror the sound of two glasses clinking together.
4. Kanpai
   • This is the Japanese version which roughly translates to ‘drink your cup dry’ though it is not intended for you to literally chug your drink.
5. À Votre Santé
   • This is how they say cheers in France, which translates ‘to your health’.
6. Skål
   • This is the popular expression of Vikings, it is how the Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish say cheers.

Ways To Celebrate

1. Try out a new cocktail recipe. Check out our Boozy Bonus section for inspiration.
2. Go out to your local bar.
3. Visit a winery, brewery, meadery, or distillery.
4. Invite your friends over for a happy hour gathering.

We hope you enjoy this National Happy Hour Day! Please send us a message or a leave a comment below to let us know how you celebrated.