Have you ever wondered how the term "Happy Hour" originated or exactly what it means? How many times have you heard in your lifetime the phrase, "Let’s have happy hour, it must be 5 o’clock somewhere in the world?"

The United States Navy gets the credit for its origin. Happy Hour began in the 1920s and had nothing to do with food or drink. The term was slang for the scheduled time slots for entertainment on the ship. During the time, wrestling and boxing bouts took place giving the sailors an opportunity to relieve stress from those long hours at sea.

For eons our ancestors have used alcohol for medical purposes, traded it as a form of currency, and consumed it for pleasure. And in the 1920s when it was taken away during the Prohibition era by the 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act which banned all alcohol consumption, citizens didn’t give up so easily. They began hosting "Cocktail Hours," also known as "happy hours" at a speakeasy (an illegal drinking establishment) before eating at restaurants where alcohol could not be served. Following the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, cocktail lounges continued the trend of drinking before dinner as "Happy Hour."

In 1960 the term "Happy Hour" became mainstream, a social event for drinks before dinner for everyone, following an article on military life published by the Saturday Evening Post.

Today, the term is commonly used to describe the gathering of work colleagues and friends, to enjoy the company of those you are with at a restaurant or bar after work. Hours are generally from 5-7 p.m., but this period is also the time prior to dinner, when appetizers and drinks are served at one’s home. In either situation, they don’t have to be alcohol-based drinks.

While "Happy Hour" is a worldwide tradition, specifics vary from country to country. In a few European countries, such as the Netherlands, the price of a drink with alcohol is regulated and selling them at lower prices is illegal.

Just prior to and in this 21st century, "Happy Hour" has suffered some controversy and has actually been banished in certain countries and states. Thus, restaurants and bars in those areas can no longer advertise "Happy Hour" as an event. However, hosting a "Happy Hour" in the privacy of your own home is fine, and you can count on it taking longer than one hour.

The following recipes are for both non-alcohol and alcohol related beverages. They are excellent for "Happy Hour" which is more commonly referred to today as "Cocktail Hour."

Note: Information on Happy Hour was taken from Wikipedia, "Happy Hour 1+1," "Retracing the History of Happy Hour" and "History of Happy Hour."