Why Is World Cocktail Day Celebrated on May 13?
World Cocktail Day is celebrated every May 13 in honor of Jerry Thomas, the American bartender considered the father of modern mixology. In 1862, Thomas published The Bar-Tender’s Guide, the first cocktail recipe book in history, laying the foundation for professional bartending as we know it today.
More than 160 years later, cocktails have evolved into a globally recognized art form. And at Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya, that tradition finds the perfect setting, atmosphere, and Caribbean breeze.
Signature Cocktails You Must Try at Valentin Imperial
If there is one thing that sets Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya apart from other resorts, it is its signature cocktail menu. Crafted with premium ingredients and served throughout the resort’s bars, these are some cocktails you simply cannot miss during your stay.
Cotton Candy Mojito
The resort’s most Instagram-worthy cocktail and probably one of its most surprising creations. Made with Bacardi Blanco, syrup, lime slice, mint, and sparkling water, its cotton candy presentation turns it into a visual experience before becoming a tasting experience. Sweet, refreshing, and completely Caribbean.
Martini Imperial
The house signature cocktail. Blue Absolut, pomegranate liqueur, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice, and dry ice create a sophisticated and visually striking drink. It is the kind of cocktail that instantly reminds you exactly where you are.
Valentin Tonic
Tonic water, gin, and hibiscus. An elegant and aromatic combination that pays tribute to the resort’s name. Hibiscus, one of Mexico’s iconic flowers, adds color and a floral touch that makes it perfect for sunset.
Hibiscus Martini
Hibiscus infusion, reposado tequila, and a touch of lime. The Caribbean and Mexico in a single glass. Floral, citrusy, and full of character.
Margarita Pique
A Margarita with personality: honey, blanco tequila, Grand Marnier, lime juice, and jalapeño pepper. Perfect for those looking for more than a classic cocktail.
Zignum Apple
Zignum mezcal, syrup, apple juice, and ginger. A contemporary cocktail that reimagines mezcal from a fresh and approachable perspective without losing its signature smoky profile.
Chocolate Martini
Blue Absolut, white cacao, mint, chocolate caviar, and dry ice. A dessert served in a glass, featuring elevated presentation and flavor that never disappoints.
Pineapple Mezcalina
Pineapple, mezcal, triple sec, natural syrup, and pineapple juice. Tropical with character. A combination that works especially well at the pool bars with the Caribbean sun in the background.
Serrano Margarita
Triple sec, tequila, natural syrup, serrano chili, and lime. A close relative of the Margarita Pique, but with the direct heat of serrano pepper. It is not for everyone, and that is exactly what makes it special.
Maracuya
Triple sec, vodka, natural syrup, passion fruit pulp, lime juice, and sparkling water. Fruity, vibrant, and tropical. The kind of cocktail that tastes exactly like vacation.
A Bar for Every Moment of the Day
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya features 11 bars, and that is no ordinary number. It guarantees that no matter where you are in the resort or what time it is, there will always be the right place to order the right cocktail.
The day begins at the Martini Bar, an intimate and relaxed space that opens at 7 in the morning because yes, having a cocktail early in the day is perfectly acceptable here. As the sun rises, the spotlight shifts to the pool bars: Sun Bar, next to the Golden Swim-Up Pool, and Earth Bar and Heaven Bar, the two swim-up bars in the main pool area where you can order a frozen cocktail without leaving the water. At all three, classic cocktails are always available.
When the midday heat calls for something more festive, Heaven & Earth take over as the main pool swim-up bars, showcasing their fresh fruit cocktails under the Caribbean sun.
As the afternoon arrives, Sunrise Bar and Sunset Bar offer exactly what their names promise: ocean views and the perfect atmosphere for a cocktail by the horizon. Both are located on the beach. Sunrise Bar remains open until 11 pm (or until 8 pm during turtle season), while Sunset Bar closes at 5 pm. Later in the evening, Plaza España, located in the resort’s main plaza, opens at 6 pm and becomes the social hub of the night, serving frozen cocktails, long drinks, and a menu designed to make guests stay longer.
When night falls, Don Miguel becomes the epicenter of mixology. It is the resort’s signature cocktail bar, where the cocktails mentioned earlier come to life. Its warm atmosphere makes it ideal for any special occasion. It opens at 4 pm and stays open until 11 pm.
For guests looking to extend the night, the Sports Bar remains open until 2 in the morning with large-screen games and pool tables. For those who prefer a more refined pause, Salón Partagas offers an elegant atmosphere where cocktails meet hookah and premium spirits in a sophisticated setting designed for slow enjoyment.
Finally, El Palenque completes the experience: a theater bar that opens at 9 pm and transforms the last cocktail of the night into part of the show, with live music and entertainment.
Eleven bars for your enjoyment throughout the resort. Each with its own moment. All with classic cocktails always available.
Why Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya Is the Perfect Place to Celebrate World Cocktail Day
What truly distinguishes Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya when it comes to beverages is not only the variety, but the quality. The resort includes internationally recognized spirits across every category.
Rums such as Bacardi Blanco, Añejo and Limón, Havana Club 3 and 7 Years, Matusalem, and Captain Morgan. Tequilas such as Don Julio Reposado, 1800 Añejo, Herradura Reposado and Blanco, Cazadores Añejo, and Fandango Mezcal. Vodkas including Grey Goose, Belvedere, Ketel One, and different varieties of Absolut. Gins such as Hendrick’s, Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, and Beefeater. Whiskies including Johnnie Walker Black Label, Chivas Regal, Jack Daniel’s, Maker’s Mark, and Crown Royal.
For guests seeking the most exclusive experience, the Privé Package offers an additional premium selection at the Salon Privé bar, featuring Hennessy VS, The Dalmore, Glenlivet 12 Years, Glenfiddich Malt, Cardenal de Mendoza, Gran Duque de Alba, and Don Julio Añejo, among others.
May 13, World Cocktail Day, is the perfect excuse to order that cocktail you have always wanted to photograph and experience. Because at Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya, mixology is not just part of the trip. It becomes part of the memory.
Frequently Asked Questions About World Cocktail Day at Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya
What is World Cocktail Day and when is it celebrated?
World Cocktail Day is celebrated every May 13 in honor of Jerry Thomas, the American bartender considered the father of modern mixology, who published the first cocktail recipe book in history in 1862.
Which cocktails are exclusive to Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya?
The resort offers a signature cocktail menu featuring creations such as the Cotton Candy Mojito, Martini Imperial, Valentin Tonic, Hibiscus Martini, Chocolate Martini, Margarita Pique, and Serrano Margarita, among others.
Are cocktails included in the all-inclusive experience at Valentin Imperial?
Yes. Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya is an adults-only all-inclusive resort. All cocktails prepared with standard bar spirits are included at no additional cost during your stay.
How many bars does Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya have?
The resort features 11 bars, including Don Miguel, Martini Bar, Plaza España, Heaven & Earth, Sunrise, Sunset, Sports Bar, and Partagas, each with its own personality, menu, and atmosphere.
Is there a premium beverage selection at Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya?
Yes. The resort’s Salon Privé offers an exclusive premium selection featuring spirits such as Hennessy VS, The Dalmore, Glenlivet 12 Years, Glenfiddich Malt, Don Julio Añejo, Grey Goose, Belvedere, Hendrick’s, and Cardenal de Mendoza, among others.
