National Drinking Straw Day
Sipping a cold drink has never been more enjoyable thanks to these colorful tubes of fun that make every sip a delight!
Promote reusable straw products (bamboo, glass, metal) as sustainable alternatives while celebrating the invention of the modern straw and its eco-friendly evolution.
- Switch to reusable straws: sustainability meets style with our curated collection
- From rye grass to bamboo—the 135-year evolution of the drinking straw
- Make a mint julep the right way (with the right straw) this January
- Ditch plastic: gift-worthy reusable straw sets with carrying cases
The first straws ever used were made by the Sumerians, and were probably most often used for drinking beer, which at that time contained many solid byproducts of the fermentation process. Thousands of years later, in the 1800s, the rye grass straw became popular because it was cheap and soft. Unfortunately, it also had the tendency to turn to mush in liquid.
One day, while drinking a mint julep, inventor Marvin C. Stone became especially frustrated by straws’ shortcomings, as the taste of the rye mixed with that of his drink, giving it a grassy taste. He then patented the modern drinking straw on this day in 1888. The first straw Stone made was just paper wound around a pencil to make a thin tube, and he then slid out pencil out from one end and applied glue between the strips.
This was already a great improvement on the rye grass straw, as it did not impart any flavor onto the drink being consumed. Stone later further refined his invention by building a machine that would coat the outside of the paper with wax to hold it together, so the glue wouldn’t dissolve in the Bourbon he liked to drink.
Ditch Those Plastic Straws
Do your part for the planet and ditch your plastic straws on this date. Instead, opt for a reusable straw, which can kept at your desk or in your backpack and then used again and again. These are much better than the paper straws, which can be rather frustrating when they fall apart. Check out a few different options for purchasing reusable straws including bamboo straws, glass straws and metals straws. Some of them come in a special carrying case — and they make great gifts!
Enjoy a Frappe with a Straw
This is a drink that can easily be made at home. To do this, you need to add some water and coffee to a glass. You can add some flavored syrup, such as vanilla or caramel as well. You then need to whisk these ingredients together until there is a nice froth on the top. Add some ice, top up with milk, add a straw, and enjoy!
Sip a Mint Julep with a Straw
Another great way to celebrate this holiday would be to learn to make the drink that that inspired Marvin Stone (see below) to create a new kind of straw in the first place: the mint julep. Then, sit back, sipping your drink through a straw and be grateful it does not taste like rye grass! Cheers to Marvin C. Stone, ladies and gentlemen!