“If you can’t get to paradise, I’ll bring it to you.”

— Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt

I grew up in, and have never lived anywhere but Southern California. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve used an umbrella in the rain. Umbrellas are for shade – and cocktails.

National Umbrella Day is February 10. And no offense to Queen Dolly Parton, who once said that “if you want the rainbow, you've got to put up with the rain,” but no. She’s clearly never been to Palm Springs. We have it all figured out.

So, why do we put tiny umbrellas in our delicious concoctions? According to Jeff Berry (yeah, you know him), Harry Yee at the Hilton Waikiki was the first to use the now famous garnish in his Tapa Punch in 1959. His reasons were practical and a little gross — smoking and sugercane chewers don’t mix (read this extremely entertaining article after you finish breakfast) – but the sweet Hawaiian cocktails became known as “umbrella drinks,” and the rest is history.

So raise your umbrella adorned glass on February 10 and give a hearty thanks for fun and festive garnishes. Take some photos of your best-adorned beverages and tag us – we’d love to see them!

Cheers!