DOTD For Monday, September 15, 2025

Drink Up - But Don't Engage In Stupid Violence

Today’s DOTD - Drink Of The Day - is a Wild Ruffian Cocktail a drink to commemorate one of the dumbest acts of public violence we know of, The New York City Straw Hat Riots of 1922.

Straw hats became summertime wear in the 19^th century, particularly when related to sporting events. This led to development of the boater, a straw hat with a stiff, flat crown and brim. It wasn’t considered good form (except for women) to wear a straw hat in cities even during the hottest part of summer. By the early 20^th century, though, straw boaters were considered acceptable during hot summer days.

But there was an unwritten rule: Straw boater hats were not acceptable to wear past September 15. Any man seen wearing a straw hat from that date onward drew ridicule, and it became customary for youth to knock those hats off and stomp on them. Newspapers warned their readers with a reminder of the upcoming date each year. At that point they were expected to switch to wool or silk hats.

In 1922 some young ruffians got a jump on things and decided to begin on Sept. 13^th. They started on some factory workers in the area around what’s now Chinatown in Manhattan. They next targeted some dock workers and a major brawl that stopped traffic on the Manhattan Bridge broke out. Pro tip: It’s never a good idea to mess with dockworkers. Police eventually broke it up and arrests were made.

Things got out of hand the next evening when gangs prowled the streets and beat those who tried to hold on to their hats. Fisticuffs…arrests…hospitalizations…it all happened. The general melee lasted eight days, but the normal cutoff date of September 15 is generally accepted as the day for a drink in recognition.

The practice of hat bashing still occurred here and there but declined as the straw boater hat became less fashionable. By the 1950s it was nearly extinct as a garment.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’re going to need for this drink: