A New Jersey Cheers For National Cocktail Day

I invite you to pull up a seat to a New Jersey restaurant that makes my favorite drink in the state. This Sunday, March 24, is officially "National Cocktail Day." It's a great reason to head to your favorite local establishment and order your drink of choice.

First, on this day that pays tribute to such a spirited beverage, it's more than acceptable to treat it with respect by not just grabbing any most convenient cocktail. Better yet, take a moment to sip something that you truly enjoy.

So, what does that entail? There are certainly the non-negotiable basics. A cocktail that has a foundation consisting of something you like to have. In addition, what else goes hand-in-hand with a great cocktail? It should be relaxing, smooth, and enjoyable to sip.

With all due respect, we are not aiming for a shot here. A great signature cocktail can accompany your seating for a long duration of time. Sometimes, the first pour is so good that you prefer to nurture the glass instead of rushing to have a second one.

Think about that first sip. A long week of work and, finally, your perfect drink to unwind and perhaps celebrate your efforts greets you with a smile.

As someone born and raised in northern New Jersey, my drink of choice also has sentimental value.

Located at 179 Godwin Avenue in Wyckoff, New Jersey, the Brick House has a bar that immediately inspires contentment in me. It's not too far from the town I grew up in so I am flashing back to time when I'd walk into this establishment that is literally a brick house.

The Manhattan is not something you can't find anywhere else. Ordering it as Maker's Mark Manhattan, it is simply consistent, perfectly chilled, and served in the ideal sipping glass.

The Brick House ambiance, which includes an attached cigar bar, easy jazz music, and the occasional steakhouse aroma, truly enhances cocktail enjoyment. It's more of an experience.

Lastly, there's a companionship to having this drink accompany you on your stool. That's one of the main pleasures of your favorite drink. It's great to have amongst friends or family, but it's also quite alright to have by yourself, just taking a moment at a place like the Brickhouse on National Cocktail Day.

There are some major benefits to taking a trip by yourself. The solitude gives you time to clear your mind and gather your thoughts. And it also enables you to create your own schedule, taking in the sights you set out for. Good Housekeeping published a report that details America’s best places for solo travel, and New Jersey was all over this list.

In addition, Fifty Grande recently conducted a solo travel survey. They found that “52% of respondents said they planned to take a solo trip before the end of the year, and 64% of them planned to take that trip in America.” Furthermore, they found that 40% of those that participated in their survey answered “10” on a scale of 1-10 on how comfortable they were to travel alone. 83% said answered a 7 or above.

Other interesting items to note were 89% of the people had already taken a solo trip. The main reason was to “explore a new place and/or immerse in a local culture.” 22.9% said they traveled alone because it was “more fun when I’m 100% in control.”

Moreover, 52% of people plan on traveling solo before the end of the year. Much of that will be within the United States, Fifty Grande shows.

New Jersey is filled with areas that are prime for solo travel exploring. Of course, Atlantic City has a major nightlife scene. There are pristine golf courses all throughout the state, some of which are in close proximity to New York City (if you want to head in for dinner or a show). Finally, there are miles of beachside attractions along the Atlantic and historic sites deep in the heart of the Garden State. So, let's take a look at the two New Jersey destinations that were named best for solo travel. They happen to over a hundred and thirty miles away from each other, and vastly different in terms of what you can explore there.

Home to the Ivy League Tigers, Good Housekeeping calls out the historic sites this central New Jersey town house to offer. "Princeton Battle Monument honors the battle fought and won by George Washington in 1777." The University Art Museum and the Morven Museum and Garden often attract tourists from all over the world. Lastly, Carnegie Lake is one of the most serene spots in the state.

"Spend your day wandering the cute shops, sunbathing at the beach or climbing the 199 steps to the top of Cape May Lighthouse in Cape May Pointe State Park," Good Housekeeping suggest. Cape May draws a lot of visitors in the summer months. It's very common that you will find families, couples, and solo travelers among them. In addition to one of the most beautiful lighthouses on the east coast, you can visit winery's, theaters, safaris, or just rest along the shore of the beautiful beaches.