Did you know that there’s an entire day dedicated to chocolate, its versatility, and its deliciousness? World Chocolate Day is the perfect day to celebrate with a variety of indulgences and decadent beverages, including chocolate cocktails! Today, we’ll cover a brief history of chocolate, some ways you can celebrate, and give you a few chocolate cocktails you can try on this very special day. Let’s dive right in!

What Is World Chocolate Day?

World Chocolate Day is a global nod to one of humanity’s most beloved treats: chocolate. This celebration serves as a reminder of the rich history, cultural significance, and joy that chocolate brings to people all around the world! Whether enjoyed in the form of bars, truffles, baked desserts, or cocktails, World Chocolate Day is the perfect occasion (and excuse, really) to indulge in and appreciate the amazing taste of chocolate. So, no matter how you celebrate, add a little chocolate to your day on World Chocolate Day!

When Is World Chocolate Day?

Every year on July 7th, people all around the world celebrate chocolate. And, honestly, we totally get why. Chocolate is incredibly versatile, from being a delicious addition to cookies, pies, and even warm beverages. Our personal favorite application is in chocolate cocktails, which we’ll touch on in a few sections. For now, here are the following days of the week that World Chocolate Day will fall on:

• World Chocolate Day 2023: Friday, July 7th
• World Chocolate Day 2024: Sunday, July 7th
• World Chocolate Day 2025: Monday, July 7th
• World Chocolate Day 2026: Tuesday, July 7th
• World Chocolate Day 2027: Wednesday, July 7th

A Brief History of Chocolate:

The history of chocolate spans thousands of years, tracing its origins back to ancient Mesoamerican civilizations. The Mayans and Aztecs in particular revered cocoa beans and used them in various ceremonial and culinary practices. For these ancient cultures, chocolate was not just a food but it also held deep cultural and spiritual significance.

The first evidence of chocolate consumption dates back to around 1900 BCE, where cacao beverages were consumed by the Olmecs in what is now modern-day Mexico. The beans were ground into a paste and mixed with water, chili peppers, and other ingredients to create a frothy and bitter beverage. This concoction, often referred to as “xocoatl,” was highly valued and reserved for the elite.

Thanks to the addition of sugar and spices, by the 17th century, chocolate became a fashionable drink among the European aristocracy, with special chocolate houses established for the wealthy to indulge in this luxurious beverage.

In the 18th century, the invention of the cocoa press by Coenraad Johannes van Houten revolutionized the chocolate industry. This hydraulic press allowed for the extraction of cocoa butter, resulting in the production of cocoa powder. It paved the way for the creation of solid chocolate bars and the industrialization of chocolate production.

Today, we use different components of the cocoa bean in different applications, making it even more versatile than it was previously.

Ideas for Celebrating World Chocolate Day:

Are you looking for something fun and novel to do on World Chocolate Day? Check out these fun and exciting activities to try:

1. Visit a Local Chocolate Shop. See if you can find a local chocolatier – they’ll have tons of delicious chocolate confections for you to try.
2. Learn More. If history is your thing, go a bit further than our brief history above. You might be surprised to find out how it’s actually made!
3. Host a Chocolate Tasting. If your friends and family love chocolate as much as you do, have a tasting at your house while chatting about your shared love of chocolate.
4. Mix Up Chocolate Cocktails. Incorporate chocolate into cocktails for a night of deliciously-flavored booze. In the next section, we’ll list several recipes for you to experiment with.

5 Delicious Chocolate Cocktails for World Chocolate Day

If you’re looking for some of the most delicious chocolate cocktails, you’ve come to the right place. Here are five cocktail recipes for you to try, whether you’re sitting at home, ordering drinks at a bar, or hosting a party for your friends and family.

#1: The Chocolate Martini

The Chocolate Martini is smooth and creamy, delivering a delicious blend of rich chocolate and the subtle warmth of vodka. To make this cocktail, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes.
2. Pour 1 ½ oz vodka, 1 ½ oz chocolate liqueur, and 1 oz cream into the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to thoroughly mix and chill the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
5. Optional: Garnish with a sprinkle of cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, or a chocolate-dipped strawberry.
6. Enjoy!

#2: The White Chocolate Russian

For a coffee-like twist on the chocolate martini, try out the White Chocolate Russian. To make this cocktail, use the following steps:

1. Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes.
2. Add 1 ½ oz vodka, 1 oz white chocolate liqueur, 1 oz coffee liqueur, and 1 oz cream to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
3. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to ensure the ingredients are well-combined and chilled.
4. Strain the mixture into the prepared rocks glass over the ice cubes.
5. Optionally, garnish with grated white chocolate or a dusting of cocoa powder.
6. Serve and enjoy!

#3: The Spicy Chocolate Margarita

Are you looking for something with a little more pizazz? Then this delicious chocolate cocktail might be for you. This unique twist on the classic margarita combines the richness of chocolate with a kick of spice, resulting in a drink that is both velvety smooth and delightfully fiery. Here’s how to make one:

1. Take a margarita glass and rub a lime wedge around the rim. Dip the rim into chili powder, coating it evenly.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine 2 oz tequila, 1 oz chocolate liqueur, 1 oz lime juice, ½ oz agave syrup, ½ oz orange liqueur, and ¼ tsp (more or less according to taste) chili powder. 
3. Add ice cubes and shake vigorously.
4. Strain the mixture into the prepared margarita glass filled with ice.
5. Garnish with a lime wedge and sprinkle a touch of chili powder on top for an extra burst of flavor.
6. Enjoy!

#4: The Chocolate Mint Julep

Before you shy away, hear us out. This drink is deliciously warm, chocolatey, and minty, so don’t rule it out. Plus, this recipe makes a whole pitcher, making it perfect for your World Chocolate Day celebrations!

1. Either in a pitcher or an empty bourbon bottle, pour 2 cups of bourbon, ½ cup chocolate mint whiskey (like Ballotin Chocolate Whiskey), and about 12 dashes of chocolate bitters. Top off with about a ¼ cup of filtered water, then shake to combine.
2. If serving in a pitcher, you can garnish the whole thing with fresh mint leaves.
3. Otherwise, simply pour the mixture into glasses filled with ice and fresh mint leaves to serve!

#5: Mexican Spiked Hot Chocolate

One of the best ways to enjoy chocolate, in general, is in a nice mug of warm cocoa. That’s why this list wouldn’t be complete without one, too! For this vegan cocoa, you’ll use a “dump and go” approach in a crockpot – we know, crazy, right? Here’s the recipe:

1. To a crock pot, add 5 ½ cups almond milk, 2 ½ cups coconut cream, 4 oz chopped bittersweet chocolate, 4 oz chopped baking dark chocolate, ½ tbsp ground cinnamon, 2 cinnamon sticks, ½ tsp ground nutmeg, ¾ tsp chili powder, 1 tsp vanilla extract, ⅓ to ½ a cup agave or maple syrup (your preference), and 3 tbsp cocoa powder. 
2. Whisk well to combine.
3. Cook on high for 1 hour, stirring frequently, then remove cinnamon sticks.
4. Change setting to low and cook for another two hours, again, stirring frequently.
5. Before serving, add ½ cup gold tequila, and ⅓ cup chocolate liqueur.
6. Serve in mugs topped with marshmallows or marshmallow topping.
7. For those that like a little more “boozy” flavor, you could add an extra splash of tequila to their mugs, too.

Finding the Best Local Spirits for World Chocolate Day

If you’re looking for ways to boost the flavor and enjoyment of your chocolate cocktails, look no further than locally-crafted spirits and liqueurs. Not only does purchasing local spirits support your local economy, but you also contribute to more sustainable liquor production. And, finding local distilleries near you couldn’t be easier: simply click on your state in our directory, and browse distilleries near you!

From all of us at Distillery Nearby,

Happy World Chocolate Day!