20 Δεκεμβριου

In 1803, the United States, then a new nation confined to the eastern seaboard of a largely unknown continent, concluded the biggest property deal in history, the Louisiana Purchase.

For a mere $15 million, the US acquired 2,144,000 square kilometres (828,000 square miles) of land from France and doubled in size - not to mention taking official ownership of the spiritual home of the cocktail, New Orleans.

So on this day both Louisiana (named for a French king) and La Nouvelle Orléans (named for a French district), became part of the United States. Today, of course, La Nouvelle Orléans is New Orleans.

An important day for America. And an important day for anyone who cares about cocktails. Also a great excuse for a Sazerac, the cocktail that's like liquid New Orleans. Enjoy!

Anniversary of Cardiff being proclaimed Capital of Wales

Though you wouldn't believe it now, Cardiff wasn't officially made a city until 1905, and it wasn't until 50 years later that it beat the historic town of Caernarfon in being made the capital of Wales.

We really racked our brains to work out how best to celebrate this momentous day in Welsh history - sadly, there aren't any Griffin or St David cocktails on our database, or (thankfully) any containing leeks or daffodils, so we're tenuously suggesting that you make a toast with a Harvey Wall-Bangor...get it?