Frugal drinkers know the exact definition of happy hour, that reverend few hours where their favorite drinks are half off at their local bar.  While we are grateful for this bargain hour not many of us can say where it originated. The next time you grab cheap drinks and snacks at 5 o’clock with some friends, you may want to consider raising a glass to Prohibition.

It only makes sense that such a time would be revered. You’ve just completed a hard day’s work and aren’t quite ready to head home or to weigh yourself down with a meal. But you need to shake off the day and kick up those heels. What can possibly be better than going into the perfect establishment to partake of cocktails and convivial chatter?

Ironically enough, the happy hour habit was a product of America’s ban on alcohol. The Volstead Act of 1920 pushed drinking out of the nation’s restaurants and into speakeasies and homes, where drinkers would gather to knock back a few before dinner. (We guess that meeting your future in-laws was just as stressful in the 1920s.)

The term “happy hour” originated around the same time period, but out at sea. Onboard a US Navy boat to be precise. Sailors often referred to afternoon entertainment times as the “happy hour”. Despite the well-known bar-inhabiting nature of sailors, the original happy hour had little to do with drinks. Instead, the soldiers would compete in and watch on-deck boxing and sports competitions as a way to relieve tension and break up the monotony of long-term boat life.

On land, with Prohibition in full swing alcohol-deprived citizens began to bootleg a variety of spirits. No longer able to enjoy a good drink with dinner, people would stop at speakeasies before going out to eat. These not-so-secret establishments would serve cocktails during the time before dinner, which was then dubbed happy hour.

After the end of prohibition, people kept on with pre-dinner cocktails and the happy hour concept became a marketing technique to get patrons in the door. Bars and restaurants offer this service in the late afternoon, usually from Monday to Thursday to sell additional drinks during that pre-dinner lull. For much of America, discounted alcohol has become an after-work tradition. Turns out affordable drinking is just as American as capitalism folks.

With the continuous popularity of happy hour, the risk of drunk driving also increased, because, of course, these happy people were on their way out to dinner! In 1970, numerous establishments started offering free savory dishes to their happy hour patrons, the reason for this was two fold – one it encouraged sales and two it helped keep customers from getting too drunk by putting food in their belly!

But happy hour is not only associated with restaurants and bars. It can be enjoyed at home as well and is the perfect excuse to celebrate whether it is to kick off your weekend or relax after a long Monday – happy hour is always appropriate.  Another idea is to send a happy hour kit to revive a friend or co-workers spirit. Choose the ‘just add ice and company’ option below to send a classic drink to a friend in an original way.

Make your own happy hour classic:

Bloody Mary Gift Set – for that Sunday morning after a hard night out.

Margarita Gift Set – perfect for a festive Mexican night.

Shaken, Not Stirred Gift Set – for an epic night out, James Bond style.

Bellini Gift Set – great bridal shower or wedding gift if you can’t make it.

Mojito Gift Set – get your rum on before a night.

Appletini Gift Set – perfect for a girl’s night in watching Sex in the City re-runs.

Dark and Stormy Gift Set – when the weather or your mood just won’t cooperate.

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