Thirsty Thursday

Why wait until Friday to start the weekend when it’s possible to get it started a little earlier? Thirsty Thursday is a delightful sign that the weekend is coming, even if there is still work to do or school to attend on Friday. 

So go out and enjoy this upcoming Thursday with a drink (with or without alcohol), meet up with friends and just have a good time!

History of Thirsty Thursday

For many Millennials and Gen-Xers, Thursdays used to be an evening to stay home and watch television. After all, depending on the generation, this was the night when the best TV programs were on. The Cosby Show, Seinfeld, Friends and ER were all shows that kept people glued to their couches with their families during the ‘80s and ‘90s.

But over recent decades, the rhythms of life have changed. While Friday night used to be the time that young people, students or young professionals would have parties or go out on the town after work, the landscape of the weekend has evolved a bit. Maybe it has to do with live streaming of television shows? Or perhaps there are some other reasons.

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when or how this shift began, but it seems that college students were likely the first ones to take advantage of having late classes, or even no classes, scheduled for Fridays. After all, if the weekend can start one day earlier, then why not? It’s likely that this habit of going out on Thursdays then transferred into the professional world when students moved into the workforce.

Another factor that may have influenced the development of Thirsty Thursday may have been the shift in workplaces and working from home. For many people, Friday has become a day to work from home (WFH), which means that the final opportunity for going out for drinks after work is shifted to Thursdays.

The name, “Thirsty Thursday” actually came from a Minor League Baseball Team, but it has certainly developed from there. No matter how the shift came about, this day has now become culturally relevant and is likely to stick around for some time going forward!

How to Celebrate Thirsty Thursday

The week is almost over, with just one more work day left, so it’s time to celebrate! Have some fun and quench that thirst by enjoying some different activities like these on Thirsty Thursday:

Go Out for a Drink

Obviously, the most important thing to do to truly get involved with celebrating Thirsty Thursday is to go out for a drink! Grab some friends, coworkers, family members or neighbors and get ready to have some fun. Of course, for the young or young-at-heart, this might mean playing some beer pong or diving into some tequila shots. But for those folks who do actually have jobs and need to be sober on Friday morning, it could be something a bit more tame, like a glass of wine or just a relaxed beer with friends. This day can be whatever it wants in preparation for the weekend!

Try Some New Cocktails

Thirsty Thursday is a delightful time to get creative with unique and interesting drinks. Whether ordering out at a bar or building up those bartending skills at home with friends, perhaps this is just the time to depart from an old standard cocktail and check out something new.

Consider some of these ideas in the world of adventurous drink recipes on the next Thirsty Thursday:

• Hendrick’s Coconut Cocktail. Try out this combination of Hendrick’s Gin, coconut water, cold brew coffee and a dash of chocolate bitter for a distinct coffee and coconut vibe.
• Earl Grey Tea Cocktail. A tea drinker who is moving into the evening might want to try this cocktail made of cooled Earl Grey tea, freshly squeezed lemon juice, a shot of favorite gin, and finished off with honey syrup and lavender.
• Aperol Spritz with Charred Chili Pepper. This twist on a famous classic offers a spicy blend of Aperol, Prosecco, that is garnished with grilled orange slices and long, fresh chili peppers. Wow!
• Cotton Candy Margarita. Those who are looking for a sweet blend from south of the border might enjoy this cocktail that blends tequila with cream soda, orange liquor, ice, fresh lime juice and – you guessed it – cotton candy!

Celebrate with Minor League Baseball

For several decades, Thirsty Thursdays have been an important day in Minor League Baseball (MiLB). The first team to start offering deals and discounts on beer for their Thursday games was the Asheville Tourists, located in North Carolina. In fact, the former owner of the team, Ron McKee has been given credit for coming up with the term “Thirsty Thursday” all the way back in 1983 and the phrase was even trademarked in 1995.

A wide range of MiLB teams now participate in Thirsty Thursday programs and promotions during their games. And with over 100 games in the season for the minors, and 120 minor league teams throughout the nation, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find one scheduled on a Thursday!

Be Sure to Hydrate

Even though its origins are elsewhere, Thirsty Thursday can be just as much about water as it is alcohol. Every day is a good time to be sure to stay hydrated, so fill up that water bottle and be sure to get those 12-15 cups of water in each day for maximum hydration and health.

Always Drink Responsibly

As always, Thirsty Thursdays are best enjoyed in safety and with responsibility. Eat before drinking, slow down on the intake, choose non-alcoholic mocktails and drink water in between each alcoholic beverage. In addition, don’t get behind the wheel after drinking. Instead, be wise to choose a designated driver who isn’t drinking or take a cab home to ensure everyone is safe. And, obviously, follow the requirements for the legal drinking age in the place where you live.

And honestly, it’s good to remember that it is absolutely possible to have a fun time – on Thursdays or any day – even without drinking alcohol. Some people choose to make a lifestyle choice to abstain from alcohol, whether for health reasons, religious reasons or because they are in a recovery program, so it’s important to show support to these friends, family members and coworkers too!