DOTD For Tuesday, July 14, 2026
This Drink Is The Perfect Partner For A Cheesy Star
Today’s DOTD - Drink Of The Day - is a Negroni Sbagliato Cocktail AND Mocktail, a more bubbly take on a classic cocktail that always pairs well with cheese, perfect for our inspiration today – National Mac and Cheese Day!
Origins Of National Mac and Cheese Day
National Mac and Cheese Day is celebrated annually on July 14th., and this year (2026) it falls on a Tuesday – the perfect mid-week excuse to indulge in almost everyone’s favorite cheesy dish.
The holiday appears to have emerged organically over the past 25 years as an annual celebration of the iconic comfort food, honoring a dish with roots in both 14th-century Europe and early American history.
The Origins Of Mac And Cheese
The concept of pasta with cheese dates back to 14th-century Italy, and Thomas Jefferson is often credited with introducing it to America. Check out the video below for a full & funny history of how mac and cheese came to be an all-American dish.
National Mac and Cheese Day Hero: James Lewis Kraft
Born in 1874, Canadian-American entrepreneur James L. Kraft revolutionized the cheese industry. He founded Kraft Foods in 1903 and patented processed cheese in 1916. His company’s introduction of boxed mac and cheese in 1937 made the dish a convenient and affordable household staple, cementing its place in American culinary culture.
National Mac and Cheese Day FAQs
How popular is mac and cheese in the U.S.?
Mac and cheese remains incredibly popular, with surveys consistently showing it as one of America’s top comfort foods. Approximately 60% of Americans consider it their favorite comfort food, consumed by millions weekly.
What are some popular mac and cheese variations?
Beyond the classic cheddar, popular variations include smoked gouda mac, lobster mac and cheese, truffle mac, and spicy jalapeño mac. Many recipes add bacon, breadcrumbs, or different vegetables for extra flavor and texture.
National Mac and Cheese Day Activities
Get creative with your recipe
It’s a Mac & Cheese holiday - so feel free to break away from the normal! For a fancier mac & cheese, try adding caramelized onions and prosciutto. To give it a fiery southwest flavor, toss in some bacon and jalapenos. Or, invite your friends to bring in a recipe of their own, and judge whose is best to determine who’s the big cheese of the evening.
Head to the best restaurants that serve mac & cheese
If your local restaurant scene is getting in on the today’s holiday, don’t miss out. Of course, you should check out if any restaurants in your town are cashing in on today’s cheesy holiday. But we certainly have some recommendations for all kinds of restaurants across the U.S. Check out our list - and if you’ve got another favorite, list it in the comments below!
Los Angeles- Maccheroni Republic
Seattle - Beechers Mac & Cheese
New York City - S’Mac
Miami - House Of Mac
Chicago - Mac Dynamite
Minneapolis/St. Paul - Red Cow
Atlanta - The Busy Bee Cafe
Tri-Cities Are In Tennessee: The Swifty Pig BBQ
Nationwide Favorite Chain Mac & Cheese (Tie) - Panera or Noodles & Company
Why We Love National Mac and Cheese Day
It reminds us of home
If you’re in Minnesota, it’s called a “hotdish.” If you live in the northeast, it’s sometimes called a “casserole.” Down in the south, it’s a sometimes-spicy side dish that accompanies barbecue, along with potato salad. But wherever you’re from, there’s likely a version of mac and cheese that you grew up with, and will always taste like home.
It’s easy to make
Basic mac and cheese only requires a few ingredients, and most of the magic happens in the oven while you’re enjoying an afternoon drink outside with friends. But, when paired with any meal, it will likely be polished off long before your aunt’s green beans or twice baked potatoes. It’s a dish loved by all ages and is simple to make - why wouldn’t it be your contribution to the summer BBQ?
It’s international
While we often think of mac and cheese as an Italian-American favorite, there are variations on the dish all over the world. In Hong Kong, for instance, it’s common to eat macaroni and cheese for breakfast, doctored up with several ingredients, including peas, ham, mushrooms, and eggs.
So… Why Is A Negroni Sbagliato Today’s DOTD?
Today’s drink is actually all about the mac & cheese. Experienced bartenders know negronis are fantastic with cheese. The crisp & citrusy profile of a negroni beautifully cuts through the richness of bold, salty, and aged cheeses. As a classic Italian aperitivo, negronis are often paired with small appetizers, many of which feature bold salty cheeses.
The negroni sbagliato is a fun step up from a typical negroni. As an Italian cocktail known for its fizziness, it was created by pure chance. The word sbagliato translates to "mistaken" in Italian, which explains its origin. The drink was accidentally invented at Bar Basso in Milan during the 1970s when a bartender mistakenly grabbed a bottle of sparkling wine instead of gin to mix with his Campari and sweet vermouth - and the perfect drink to pair with mac & cheese was born!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’re going to need for this drink:
