NATIONAL GRAND MARNIER DAY

July 13, 2026June 30, 2026Jensperspectiveblog 12 Comments

National Grand Marnier Day on July 14th recognizes a liquor that brings citrus notes to cocktails and desserts. Since the 1880s, we’ve been enjoying the fruits of Grand Marnier’s exquisite flavor.

Alexander Marnier-Lapostolle invented the orange liquor in the 1880s. His grand experiment pairing fruit liquors with cognac took 10 years to find success. When it did, Lapostolle gave birth to one very expensive liquor. The cognac concoction blended one of the most costly fruits of the time with a very strong spirit, too. The result was truly grand. Not only does it add a splash of citrus when mixed into drinks and desserts, but Grand Marnier can be enjoyed neat.

Whiskey Stones and Whiskey Glass Gift Boxed Set, 8 Granite Chilling Whisky Rocks, 2 Glasses in Wooden Box, Great Gift for Father's Day, Dad's Birthday or Anytime For Dad, Plus 2 Free Coasters by Cool Stones — Whiskey Stones and Whiskey Glass Gift Boxed Set, 8 Granite Chilling Whisky Rocks, 2 Glasses in Wooden Box, Great Gift for Father’s Day, Dad’s Birthday or Anytime For Dad, Plus 2 Free Coasters

by Cool Stones

Grand Marnier is used in a long list of desserts including liquor cream buns, Yule log, cranberry sauce, Crepes Suzette, and Grand Marnier souffle creme bruleé. Grand Marnier is also used in the sauce of the roasted duck dish, Canard a l’Orange.

Grand Marnier Sherbert
Orange Marscapone Dip
Grand Marnier Cake

Albanese Specialty Chocolate Covered Pecans (Milk Chocolate Grand Marnier) by Albanese Co. — Albanese Specialty Chocolate Covered Pecans (Milk Chocolate Grand Marnier)

by Albanese Co.

Some examples of the mixed drinks including Grand Marnier are Cosmopolitan, Margarita, Sidecar, Dirty Harry, Grand Mimosa, B-52, the Grand Marnier Smash, Grand Smash, Smash Marnier, Bloody Smash, Maced Marnier, Ace Marnier Smash, Frosty Smash, Smace, Grand Hound, Blood Pug, Clarke, Nogley and the Grand Marnier Fireball. Find some recipes here.

OliveNation Grand Marnier Extract, 8 Ounce by OLIVENATION — OliveNation Grand Marnier Extract, 8 Ounce

by OLIVENATION

However, don’t stop at beverages and desserts. Add Grand Marnier for extra zest in your sauces and marinades. Your meat dishes will take center stage.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalGrandMarnierDay

Enjoy a mixed drink with Grand Marnier. Then, invite some friends over to celebrate the day with you.

Share it with your friends by posting #NationalGrandMarnierDay on social media.

NATIONAL ANISETTE DAY

July 1, 2026June 30, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

On July 2nd, we recognize a liqueur derived from aniseed on National Anisette Day. Aniseed from the anis herb gives anisette its licorice or fennel flavor. While usually a dry dry liqueur, distillers sometimes add a sugar syrup for a sweeter result. Spain, Italy, Portugal, and France lead the world in drinking this licorice tasting drink.

The herb of the aniseed, usually the main ingredient in anisette, is considered to have medicinal qualities. Sweeter than other anise-flavored liqueurs, anisette’s association with a variety cures date back to ancient Egypt. As a liqueur, distillers create a dryer anisette in Europe than they do in the United States. Distillers add other spices such as coriander and fruit to distill anisette, too.

While most enjoy anisette by sipping it, the liqueur can be mixed as a cocktail, too. However, pure anise extract should not be drunk straight. Since its alcoholic content is high, it irritates the throat. However, mixing it in with coffee, gin, bourbon, or water will bring out a bit of a sweet flavor. The solution? Bake some anise cookies!

If you’re the one who eats all the black jelly beans, you will likely savor a shot with anisette. The licorice flavor comes from the same anise plant that some licorice candies are made.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalAnisetteDay

Anisette mixes well with other liqueurs, juices, and sodas for a variety of cocktails and shooters. Sip some anisette for a toast to the licorice flavor you love! You can also make anise cookies or spiced bars. Post on social media using #NationalAnisetteDay.

The Spice Way Star Anise - whole star anise (3 oz) great for baking and tea#NationalAnisetteDay — McCormick Pure Anise Extract, 2 fl oz

SUMMER BEGINS

June 20, 2026June 11, 2026Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

On the longest day of the year, Summer Begins in the Northern Hemisphere. It is also known as the Summer Solstice, which happens either on June 20th, 21st, or 22nd. It all depends on the time zone in which you live. This one is June 21, 2026.

With the Summer Solstice, the astronomical calendar marks the first day of summer as the Earth’s axis is pointed toward the sun. It’s rays more directly impact the Northern Hemisphere giving us more daylight and more warmth. It’s a time when plants grow rapidly and animals are more active. That includes humans.

Many schools are out of session during the summer which gives families the opportunity to take vacations. Even those without children take time to explore the outdoors through camping, hiking, and biking. Community pools open, inviting everyone to cool off on hot summer days. The beaches are open, too. Water adventures in the form of kayaking, canoeing, skiing, and fishing entice us to the rivers and lakes.

Gardners and farmers spend time cultivating their bounty and watching the skies for foul weather. And speaking of fouls – baseball, softball, and soccer teams take the field with cheering fans in every color of the rainbow.

There’s so much to do during the summer, we try to pack it all in over weekends and short breaks. But it never seems to be enough time. Before we know it, summer is over. Though, it’s only just begun.

SUMMER BEGINS HISTORY

Since ancient times, the summer solstice has been marked on calendars with celebrations honoring the sun and as a way to mark the seasons.

HOW TO OBSERVE SUMMER BEGINS

There are so many ways to enjoy the beginning of summer! Whether you spend the day hiking, reading a good book on the beach or grilling some burgers, the important thing is that you celebrate summer. Spend some time outside in the fresh air. Take a long walk and visit a local park.

How will you celebrate? Let us know by using #SummerBegins to share on social media.

Happy Halloween

October 30, 2025August 29, 2025Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

Enjoy the fun and be safe. Check out our Halloween playlist and Favorite Halloween movies.

NATIONAL LIQUEUR DAY

October 15, 2025September 13, 2025Jensperspectiveblog Leave a comment

National Liqueur Day on October 16th annually celebrates the myriad classes and flavors of liqueur.

The word liqueur comes from the Latin liquifacere, which means to liquefy. A liqueur is an alcoholic beverage made from a distilled spirit. Distillers flavor the spirit with fruit, cream, herbs, spices, flowers, or nuts. Next, they bottle it with added sugar or other sweeteners. While liqueurs are typically considerably sweet, distillers do not usually age their product long. They do, however, allow a resting period during production, which allows the flavors to marry.

Nevlers 17oz Square Swing Top Glass Bottles |6-Pack for Limoncello Liqueur, Beer Bottles, Mead Brewing Kit | Airtight Flip Top Bottles | Storage Bottles for Liquids & Juicing w/Accessories
#NationalLiqueurDay — Nevlers 17oz Square Swing Top Glass Bottles |6-Pack for Limoncello Liqueur, Beer Bottles, Mead Brewing Kit | Airtight Flip Top Bottles | Storage Bottles for Liquids & Juicing w/Accessories

Bormioli Rocco Dedalo 7-Piece Liqueur Set
#NationalLiqueurDay — Nevlers 17oz Square Swing Top Glass Bottles |6-Pack for Limoncello Liqueur, Beer Bottles, Mead Brewing Kit | Airtight Flip Top Bottles | Storage Bottles for Liquids & Juicing w/Accessories

With the broad selection of spirits available in seasonal, fragrant, and often curious flavors (vodkas and rums in particular), there is often confusion of liqueurs and liquors. In the United States and Canada, spirits are frequently called liquor. The most reliable rule of thumb to follow suggests that liqueurs comprise a sweeter, syrupy consistency, while liquors do not. Most of the liqueurs have a lower alcohol content than spirits. However, some do contain as much as 55% ABV.

When is National Repeal Day?

In parts of the United States, liqueurs may also be called cordials or schnapps.

Historically, liqueurs descend from herbal medicines prepared by monks in Italy as early as the 13th century. They steeped these often bitter herbs and sweetened them with sugar to make them more palatable to the monks’ ailing patients. The curative’s potency received a restful boost from its alcohol content as well.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalLiqueurDay

Go out for a drink of liqueur with friends. (Remember, always drink responsibly and never to drink and drive.) Share your favorite liqueur or a cocktail containing your favorite. Ask your bartender to make their favorite cocktail. Explore the world of liqueurs by reading up on them. Post it using #NationalLiqueurDay on social media.

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NATIONAL GRAND MARNIER DAY