Rediscover the joy of the cocktail hour
Recipes for cocktails that pair perfectly with your happy hour.
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The History of the Cocktail Hour
​19th Century Europe
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In France and Italy, the apéritif tradition becomes popular — a light, appetite-stimulating drink (like vermouth or bitters) served before dinner.
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In Britain, pre-dinner drinks among the upper classes (like sherry or gin) start becoming a social custom.
Early 1900s –1933 (Prohibition in the U.S.)
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Before prohibition, cocktails (mixed drinks) grow in popularity in urban bars and hotels, but there’s no formal “cocktail hour” yet — people drink socially at many times.
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During prohibition alcohol is banned, so people host private cocktail parties at home, often right before dinner — this is where the idea of a set “cocktail hour” at home takes hold.
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Speakeasies serve cocktails to mask the harsh taste of bootleg alcohol, fueling creativity in recipes.
1930s–1950s (Post-Prohibition & Golden Age)
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The cocktail hour becomes a formalized social ritual among middle- and upper-class Americans.
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Cocktail parties, home bars, and cocktail-themed entertaining become markers of style and sophistication, especially in suburban households.
1960s–1980s
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The ritual starts to fade as drinking habits change, but business-related cocktail hours and “happy hours” after work remain popular.
2000s-Today
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Happy Hour is popular for many years - and then Covid hits, removing people from offices and bars, restaurants, and coffee shops.
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People are back in the office but the culture has changed but there’s a revival of craft cocktails, mocktails, and vintage entertaining happening. Many people seek to reclaim the slow, intentional ritual of the cocktail hour — not just for alcohol, but for connection and pause - or just having a Tiki style cocktail and chilling out.
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The well-crafted cocktail, mixology specialists, and craft beer from microbreweries has become a household staple.
Our Story
I founded The Cocktail Hour to revive the cherished practice of taking a pause — a moment when individuals intentionally detach from the day's hustle to come together, relax, and enjoy a carefully crafted cocktail, mocktail, tea, or any delightful beverage paired with a thoughtful snack. It’s a tribute to the art of slowing down, reconnecting, and transforming a mundane moment into something extraordinary, emphasizing the ritual of taking a break, relishing good company (or solitude), and acknowledging that life's little joys deserve our time.
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The cocktail recipes and food pairings here draw inspiration from vintage drink recipes and early mixology books. I also enjoy cocktails that reference pop culture, allowing you to pair your hobbies with a cocktail or mocktail. Please enjoy my twists on classic recipes where I try to elevate easy cocktails.