USMC Birthday Marine Birthday Hats

Each year, we celebrate the USMC birthday on November 10th, the day before Veterans Day. And this year the United States Marine Corps will turn 243 years old (since the Continental Marines were established in 1775). Wow! What a milestone. If that isn’t reason enough to raise some cocktails to the few and the proud, we don’t know what is.

Traditionally, the birthday is celebrated with a ball and cake-cutting ceremony, but we’re encouraging you to host your own celebration. The USMC birthday falls on a Saturday this year, so that’s pretty perfect for partying. Honor the “Devil Dogs” in your life, and salute all the veterans while you’re at it.

3 USMC Birthday Party Cocktails

We’re pitching a few USMC birthday cocktail ideas in hopes that you’ll honor the dedication and sacrifices of these brave individuals. We’re thankful for the Marines, and we’re happy to help you plan a get-together that honors them!

Maybe you’re hosting your pals who served with you for thirty years in the Corps. Maybe you just think the Marines are awesome and you want to show your patriotism.  Either way, consider these three drinks. They’re all crowd-pleasers for sure. And these make a complete beverage menu; there’s something for everyone here!

1) The U.S. Marine Corps Martini

We couldn’t celebrate this occasion without this cocktail. This particular martini is also known as the 5-4-3-2-1 Martini, and it was first crafted at the tavern in which the Marine Corps was born. It’s a pretty mild martini, and it goes like this:

The U.S. Marine Corps Martini Recipe

 

●       1.5 oz. Vodka

●       1.5 oz. Gin

●       1.5 oz. Pale Dry Sherry

●       1.5 oz Water

●       3 Ice Cubes

Begin by pouring the vodka, gin, sherry, water, and ice cubes into a glass container. Freeze this mix until it’s slushy; this usually takes about 3 hours. (Don’t forget to freeze your martini glasses as well.) Strain into martini glasses to remove any remaining ice cubes. Garnish with olives or twists.  Makes six servings.

 

2) The Leatherneck

Night Club & Bar recommends the colorful and bold Leatherneck for your USMC birthday party event. It’s patriotic and Corps blue; its name is military slang for a Marine. Your whiskey lovers are going to thank you for it. Speaking of thanking people, thanks to Marine Captain Frank Farrell, who became a noted journalist and actually created this cocktail. Here’s the recipe:

The Leatherneck Recipe

 

●       2 oz. Blended Whiskey (Crown Royal or Black Velvet)

●       0.75 oz. Blue Curaçao

●       0.5 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

Add all these ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake it. And then shake it some more. Keep shaking! Serve it on the rocks in a cocktail glass. Garnish with a fresh slice of lime.

 

3) 1775 Rum Punch

Commemorate the USMC birthday with this cocktail named for the USMC birth year. We like to think this is an official farewell to any lingering summertime warmth. Party hard with your Marine brothers and veterans, and then hunker down for the cooler seasons.

1775 Rum Punch Recipe

 

●       1.5 oz. Dark Rum

●       2 oz. Pineapple Juice

●       1 oz. Simple Syrup

●       0.5 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

Mix all the ingredients, and pour them over ice. If you have time, chill the cocktail before serving. Finish with a dash of Angostura Bitters and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Garnish with wedges of pineapple or lime.

 

Before You Party...

Before you head off to party with your Marine family, have a look at our whiskey glasses and decanters. They’ll add some extra panache to your home bar! Also, you might find some other spirited cocktails you can serve at your get-together right here: Easy 4th of July Cocktails That Scream America!

Prestige community, we’d love to hear from you in the comments below. Share with us your favorite USMC birthday cocktails (or maybe even some variations on the ones mentioned above). Let’s all salute our Marines with fine drinks and good times!