NEWSLETTER
Hudson, NY — Assemblymember Didi Barrett presented a New York State proclamation at Klocke Estate recognizing May 13 as World Cocktail Day, commemorating the 220th anniversary of the first published definition of the cocktail in nearby Claverack.
The proclamation highlights a defining moment in American culinary and cultural history. On May 13, 1806, The Balance and Columbian Repository, a newspaper published in Claverack, New York, printed what is widely considered the first true definition of a cocktail. Editor Harry Croswell described it as “a stimulating liquor composed of any kind of sugar, water and bitters,” establishing a foundation for what would become a global cultural phenomenon.
“With all its history, farmland and natural resources, who knew that our beautiful Hudson Valley was also the birthplace of the cocktail – the first known mention being published in the Claverack-based publication The Balance and Columbian Repository on May 13, 1806,” said Didi Barrett. “More than 200 years later, our region is home to world-class distilleries like Klocke Estate, mixologists stirring up inventive cocktails, and a thriving agritourism sector. Columbia County, the Hudson Valley and New York State literally and figuratively put the cocktail on the map – and that deserves a toast celebrating May 13 as World Cocktail Day!”
The announcement at Klocke Estate brings that history full circle. Located just miles from Claverack, the estate reflects a modern expression of the region’s long-standing relationship with agriculture, distillation, and hospitality.
“We’re honored to host this moment and to help carry forward a piece of history that began right here,” said John Frishkopf. “There’s something meaningful about celebrating the origins of the cocktail in the same landscape where that story first took shape.”
The proclamation traces the evolution of cocktail culture through New York and the United States, from early Hudson Valley references to the golden age of cocktails in the early 20th century, through Prohibition-era speakeasies, and into the modern revival of craft mixology.
Today, that legacy continues across the Hudson Valley, where a new generation of producers, chefs, and hospitality leaders are shaping a contemporary food and beverage scene grounded in place and tradition.
The proclamation recognizes May 13 as World Cocktail Day, marking the 220th anniversary of the first published definition of the cocktail. The May 8 gathering at Klocke Estate served as a local moment of recognition, celebrating the Hudson Valley’s deep-rooted connection to cocktail culture.
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About Klocke Estate
Klocke Estate is setting a new standard for American brandy. Spanning 160 acres of picturesque farmland in Hudson, NY, the luxury earth-to-glass distillery honors the rich traditions of European brandy-making while innovating through technology combined with regenerative agriculture and artisanal craftsmanship.
Klocke Estate ’00 Apple Brandy marked its inaugural spirits release, introduced alongside a pair of refined vermouths (White and Sweet Red) under the Brevis label. That debut was followed by the launch of Flyback, a line of small-batch bottled cocktails crafted in-house. The estate also produces limited-edition eaux de vie that showcase the purity and seasonality of Hudson Valley fruit. Its aged brandies mature in French Limousin oak, to be patiently blended and released over time.
Featuring a world-class tasting room and restaurant by AD100 designer Ken Fulk and stunning grounds by Wagner Hodgson Landscape Architecture, Klocke Estate offers immersive tours, field-to-glass tastings, and refined dining in the heart of the Hudson Valley.