NATIONAL WHISKEY SOUR DAY

Each year on August 25th, people across the United States observe National Whiskey Sour Day.

Traditionally garnished with half an orange and a maraschino cherry, a whiskey sour is a mixed drink containing whiskey (often bourbon), lemon juice and sugar. Whiskey sours are shaken then either served straight or over ice.

“Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” – Mark Twain

KANARS Whiskey Glasses Set of 6 with Elegant Gift Box,10 Oz Premium Old Fashioned Crystal Glass Tumbler for Liquor, Scotch, Cocktail or Bourbon Drinking Tasting

by KANARS
KANARS Whiskey Glasses Set of 6 with Elegant Gift Box,10 Oz Premium Old Fashioned Crystal Glass Tumbler for Liquor, Scotch, Cocktail or Bourbon Drinking Tasting

by KANARS

An alternative to the traditional whiskey sour is the Boston sour which is made by adding a dash of egg white to the recipe. Another variation is the Ward 8. This beverage has a base of either Bourbon or rye whiskey with both lemon and orange juices and grenadine syrup added for sweetness.

The first mention of a whiskey sour was in an 1870 Wisconsin newspaper.

  • After opening, a bottle of whiskey will remain good for five years.
  • An unopened bottle of whiskey can be kept for over 100 years and will still be fit to drink.
  • Both “Whisky” and “Whiskey” spellings are correct. Whisky is specific to Scotch Whisky, and Whiskey is Irish.
  • Whiskey is the official state beverage of Alabama.
  • Legend has it that Jack Daniels ran away at the age of 6 and learned to make whiskey from a Lutheran minister.
Craftmix Cocktail Mix Variety Pack Mojito, Mango Margarita, Whiskey Sour Flavors, Skinny, Natural, Keto, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Low Sugar Mixer For Liquor and Non Alcoholic Mocktails, 10 Drink Packets

by Craftmix
Craftmix Cocktail Mix Variety Pack Mojito, Mango Margarita, Whiskey Sour Flavors, Skinny, Natural, Keto, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Low Sugar Mixer For Liquor and Non Alcoholic Mocktails, 10 Drink Packets

by Craftmix

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalWhiskeySourDay

Have a whiskey sour with a friend this evening. While you enjoy your cocktail, explore the history of whiskey, its production, and trade. The documentaries Straight Up and Scotch: The Golden Dram will give you a look inside both Bourbon and Scotch. 

(Remember always to drink responsibly and never drink and drive.) Use #NationalWhiskeySourDay to post on social media.

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Prime Benefit Spotlight: exclusive deals and discounts

NATIONAL LOLLIPOP DAY

July 20th recognizes National Lollipop Day as a way to celebrate this enduring and ever-popular treat. Pick up your favorite flavor to savor! 

Ever delightful and sweet, lollipops have satisfied generations of sweet tooths. And it’s possible they’ve been doing that for centuries. However, no one is sure how old the lollipop is. During prehistoric times, a form of lollipop may have preserved nuts and berries in honey. As sugar became plentiful, lollipops appeared much later in 16th century Europe. 

In the United States, confectionaries and medicine shops as early as the 1860s sold lollipops in various forms. However, George Smith gave this sweet treat an official 20th-century story in 1908. Smith earns credit for inventing the modern style lollipop. In 1931, Smith trademarked the name which he claims came from his favorite racing horse, Lolly Pops.

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JOLLY RANCHER Assorted Fruit Flavored Hard Candy Variety Bag, 46 oz
Visit the Jolly Rancher Store

Lollipops range in size. For variety, the smaller candies can be purchased by the bagful. Banks, barbershops, and vendors at parades give the sweet treat away to customers, too! Specialty candy shops make giant lollipops in a variety of bright colors, shapes, and sizes. While they are attractive, these lollipops can be cumbersome and often are more than we can handle!

Lollipops in Pop Culture

This candy made its mark in pop culture. Movies, TV, and commercials feature the lollipop in various ways.

  • 1934 – In the movie Bright Eyes, Shirley Temple sang the song “On the Good Ship Lollipop.”
  • 1939 – The Wizard of Oz brought us a world of characters, including the Lollipop Guild. Armed with a giant spiral sucker, The Lollipop Guild welcomed Dorothy to the Land of Oz.
  • 1969 – How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop. The Tootsie Pop (the trademark name for Tootsie Roll’s lollipop) commercial debuted on U.S. television. The 60-second advertisement included a boy, cow, fox, turtle, owl, and the narrator.
  • 1973-1978 – How do you make a lollipop look tough? Put it in the hands of Detective Lieutenant Theo Kojak. The lollipop-loving detective was played by Telli Savalis in the TV series Kojak. At the same time, the candy did no harm to the tough guy’s persona. 

NATIONAL LOLLIPOP DAY HISTORY

The National Confectioners Association founded National Lollipop Day. 

Explore More…

HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalLollipopDay

“I want candy! I want candy!” Enjoy a lollipop today to celebrate. You can also explore the magic of candy making. Pick up a bagful and give them out to friends, neighbors, and customers, too. Give a shout out to your favorite candy shop using #NationalLollipopDay on social media.

Find a great assortment of lollipops for you, or get a jumpstart for trick or treat stock up.  Do you own a business?  If it works at banks maybe it will work for your too.

NATIONAL RAINIER CHERRY DAY

National Rainier Cherry Day on July 11th recognizes the cherry variety named after Mount Rainier. In 1952, Harry Fogle of Washington State University developed the Rainier cherry by cross-breeding the Bing and Van cherry varieties. 

The sweet Rainier cherries have a thin skin and a thin creamy-yellow flesh. Cherries are a temperamental crop that is sensitive to temperature, wind, and rain. Each season, birds eat almost one-third of the crop. While cherries in general present growing challenges, Rainier cherries are unique. Their delicate skins require the cherries to be hand-picked. However, superior taste keeps producers and consumers coming back for more.

Due to their superior taste, Rainiers are considered a premium cherry.

This popular fruit is in such high demand that growers take extra pains to ensure the fruit does not go to the birds. They cover the trees in nets and plant them between red cherry trees to encourage the bees to pollinate the blossoms. Besides hand-picking the fruit, the harvesters place the cherries into small bags to avoid bruising. Every necessary precaution is taken, so the cherries arrive in the market in perfect and delicious condition.

In honor of the day and as part of the Tree-to-Table program, the Northwest Cherry Growers hand-pick one restaurant in each state to feature at least one Rainier cherry dish on July 11th in their restaurants.

For more information, visit www.nwcherries.com/treetotable.

More fruit…

HOW TO OBSERVE #RainierCherryDay

Purchase some Rainier cherries. Either bake with them or eat them fresh. Take some time to shop around. You may even find wine, cordials, or preserves made from Rainier cherries. The makers of the products will proudly display a label indicating the item is made with Rainier cherries. Post on social media using #RainierCherryDay to encourage others to join in as well.

NATIONAL PINA COLADA DAY

July 10th recognizes a sweet, rum-based cocktail on National Pina Colada Day. Along with rum, a Pina Colada includes cream of coconut and pineapple juice and is usually served blended or shaken with ice.

Pina Colada means ‘strained pineapple,’ a reference to the freshly pressed and strained pineapple juice used in the drink.

Bormioli Rocco (Set of 4) Cocktail Glasses Tulip Shaped - 17 Ounce Pina Colada Glass, Hurricane Glasses for Drinking Full Bodied Beer, Water, Juice, Lead-Free Bar Glass Italian Crafted Beer Glasses  by Bormioli Rocco
Bormioli Rocco (Set of 4) Cocktail Glasses Tulip Shaped – 17 Ounce Pina Colada Glass, Hurricane Glasses for Drinking Full Bodied Beer, Water, Juice, Lead-Free Bar Glass Italian Crafted Beer Glasses

by Bormioli Rocco

While pineapple has been a part of the distillation history of rum, coconut didn’t show up until later. The first written reference to a pina colada was in 1922. However, two different claims to the invention of the pina colada in 1952 come from San Juan. Neither wavers from their story.

Escape (The Pina Colada Song)  Rupert Holmes
Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

Rupert Holmes

No matter who created the first creamy, sweet rum drink, it is forever infused with the ocean and beaches. The cocktail’s bright flavor suggests sunshine and vacation. Coconut alone makes us think of suntans while the pineapple’s freshness delivers a sparkling note of summer breezes.

Skinny Mixes Cocktail Mix - Pina Colada | Healthy Flavors with 0 Sugar | Gluten Free & Kosher | Keto Friendly & GMO Free | 32 fl oz  by Jordan's Skinny Mixes
Skinny Mixes Cocktail Mix – Pina Colada | Healthy Flavors with 0 Sugar | Gluten Free & Kosher | Keto Friendly & GMO Free | 32 fl oz

by Jordan’s Skinny Mixes

The beverage isn’t the only way to celebrate either. The day is dedicated to all things pina colada. Whether we make a dessert or snack on pina colada jelly beans, everyone can join in the day.

Put on your sunglasses, kick back, and enjoy a sip or a taste. It’s the best way to celebrate.

Mr & Mrs T Pina Colada Mix, 1.75 Liter Bottle (Pack of 6)  by Mr. & Mrs. T
Mr & Mrs T Pina Colada Mix, 1.75 Liter Bottle (Pack of 6)

by Mr. & Mrs. T

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalPinaColadaDay

Try a frozen popsicle treat or a pina colada cake. You do not have to be sitting on a beach or the deck of a cruise ship to celebrate this holiday. You can enjoy a nice tall, cool Pina Colada where ever you are! (Remember to drink responsibly and never drink and drive!) Use #NationalPinaColadaDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL VANILLA MILKSHAKE DAY

National Vanilla Milkshake Day is happily enjoyed by many people on June 20th of each year.  You can celebrate this day by making a homemade vanilla milkshake for you and your family today.

The first time the term “milkshake” was used in print was in 1885.  This milkshake was a concoction of cream, eggs, and whiskey which was often served with other alcoholic tonics such as lemonades and soda waters

By 1900, a milkshake was often referred to as “wholesome drinks made with chocolate, strawberry or vanilla syrups.”  A few years later in the early 1900s, people began asking for this new treat with a scoop of ice cream.  It was then by the 1930s that milkshakes were a popular drink in malt shops everywhere.

Maybe you want to top off your vanilla milkshake with a little bit of whipped cream and a cherry on top!!

HOW TO OBSERVE

Give these delicious recipes a try:

Vanilla Milkshake by Paula Deen – Food Network

Creamy Vanilla Milkshake

Use #VanillaMilkshakeDay to share on social media. 

HISTORY

Even if there is no history to be found this treat is still very popular. Today you can find milkshakes in a variety of flavors and they are as easy to get at your favorite drive through. McDonalds, Burgerking, Whataburger, Dairy Queen, Zaxby’s, Baskin Robbins, Chickfila and many more offer them. Need a little energy? Starbucks, Vanilla bean frappuccino is a great afternoon delight. Try thier other flavors for a caffeine boost.