While we don’t think you need an excuse to have a cocktail in hand, it’s World Cocktail Day on 13th May, which means there’s all the more reason to make some of your favourite cocktails!
Have a rummage through your alcohol cupboard and dust off your cocktail shaker because we have some recipes, you’ll definitely want to be sipping on come 13th May.
Our 10 Cocktail Staple Picks
This World Cocktail Day we have a classic line-up of staple cocktails to tantalise your taste buds.
We share each cocktail’s ingredients and how to make them, so you can impress your family and friends with a cocktail masterclass!
Vodka…check! Rum…check! Whiskey…check! There’s a cocktail for all tastes.
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Piña Colada
Where would a classic cocktail list be without a Piña Colada? This refreshing pineapple cocktail is so easy to drink and has you wanting more.
Mix yourself up a Piña Colada and let the tropical taste transport your senses to a beach somewhere warm and sunny.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
60ml white rum
60ml coconut cream
120ml pineapple juice
Ice
Pineapple wedge for garnish (optional)
Recommended Glassware: Poco grande glass – a big-bowled tall glass.
Method
Add all the ingredients to a blender or cocktail shaker and blend/shake until smooth
Garnish with the pineapple wedge and serve
Mojito
An iconic minty cocktail that dates back to 16th Century Cuba and was notably one of Ernest Hemingway’s cocktails of choice.
An incredibly versatile and refreshing cocktail, perfect for a hot day, that can be altered with different flavours and syrups.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
60ml white rum
1 lime, juiced
1tsp granulated sugar
A handful of mint leaves
Soda water to top up
Ice
Recommended Glassware: Highball or Collins glass – a tall glass.
Method
Juice the lime into a small jug
Add the sugar and the mint leaves into the jug in batches, crushing the mint leaves as you go (the end of a rolling pin is good to do this). Make sure to save some mint leaves for garnish
Pour the ingredients from the jug into a tall glass and add the ice
Pour in the rum and stir
Top up the rest of the glass with soda water and serve
Manhattan
This rich and boozy cocktail is a great tipple for World Cocktail Day for all the whiskey lovers.
The spicy rye whiskey and sweet vermouth combined make for a timeless cocktail that can be enjoyed again and again.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
75ml whiskey
15ml sweet vermouth
15ml dry vermouth
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
A cocktail cherry for garnish
Ice
Recommended Glassware: Martini glass.
Method
Combine the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass, add ice and stir thoroughly
Strain into a cocktail glass
Add the cocktail cherry for garnish and serve
Margarita
A simple cocktail made up of fresh lime juice, triple sec and good quality tequila that can be made quickly and easily to make your cocktail making hassle-free.
If you have guests over you can mix up Margaritas in no time with this recipe and jump straight back into the party.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
60ml Blanco tequila
30ml Cointreau
22ml fresh lime juice
½ tablespoon of salt for the glass rim
1 lime wedge and a lime wheel for garnish
Ice
Recommended Glassware: Margarita glass.
Method
Run the lime wedge over the rim of the glass, dip the rim in salt then set aside
In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake thoroughly until chilled throughout
Fill a margarita glass with ice and strain the cocktail into the glass
Garnish with the lime wheel and serve
Strawberry Daiquiri
An icy concoction of strawberry heaven, a strawberry daiquiri is a certified winner on the cocktail scene.
When making cocktails for family and friends, a strawberry daiquiri is always a crowd pleaser.
If you don’t fancy strawberry, the daiquiri is a versatile cocktail that can be made with different fruits – give raspberry a try!
Ingredients (Serves 1)
50ml rum
250g hulled strawberries
Juice of ¼ lime
1tbsp syrup
100g ice
1 halved strawberry for garnish
Recommended Glassware: Margarita or Martini glass.
Method
Blend the strawberries and push the blended purée through a sieve to remove the seeds
Put the sieved purée back into the blender and add the ice, rum, sugar syrup and lime juice
Blend the mixture and then pour into a cocktail glass
Add the strawberry garnish and serve
Cosmopolitan
A sweet Cosmopolitan is a perfect cocktail to make for one or to prepare in advance for a crowd.
A Cosmopolitan is a hard hitter among vodka cocktails, quick and easy to make.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
60ml vodka
15ml triple sec
75ml cranberry juice
1bsp fresh lime juice
Ice
Recommended Glassware: Martini glass.
Method
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice and shake vigorously until well chilled
Strain into a cocktail glass and serve
Espresso Martini
If you’re looking for a pick-me-up, an Espresso Martini is perfect for giving you a little boost. One for the coffee lovers, it’s an acquired taste that gives you a kick.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
60ml vodka
15ml coffee liqueur (usually Kahlúa)
30ml freshly brewed espresso
15ml syrup
Ice
2 or 3 coffee beans for garnish
Recommended Glassware: Martini glass.
Method
Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled throughout
Strain into a cocktail glass
Garnish with the coffee beans and serve
Tequila Sunrise
A fruity and refreshing cocktail, a Tequila Sunrise is easy to make, and its sunrise effect is a real eye-catcher and leaves everyone impressed.
There’s no mixing involved in this cocktail, so you can bench your cocktail shaker for this one.
Ingredients
50ml tequila
60ml grenadine
100ml orange juice
Ice
An orange wheel for garnish
Recommended Glassware: Highball or Collins glass.
Method
Fill a tall glass with ice and add the tequila and orange juice
Pour the grenadine into the glass. The grenadine will sink to the bottom, do not stir it.
Garnish with an orange wheel
Negroni
James Bond’s cocktail of choice whenever he didn’t fancy a Martini.
The Negroni is a simple yet sophisticated cocktail. A cocktail for those that enjoy a bitter taste.
Ingredients (Serves 1)
30ml gin
30ml sweet vermouth
30ml Campari
Ice
Orange slice for garnish
Recommended Glassware: A rocks glass – a small tumbler glass.
Method
Pour the gin, vermouth, and Campari into a mixing glass with ice. Stir until the outside of the glass feels cold
Strain into a tumbler glass and add fresh ice
Garnish with the orange slice and serve
Low on Ingredients?
Wanting a cocktail this World Cocktail Day, but your alcohol cupboard is looking a little empty? Drinks House 247 have you covered with spirits and mixers delivered 24/7 in London within 30-45 minutes.
If you’re considering a bite to eat with your cocktails check out our guide on How to Pair Cocktails and Food Together to get the best balance in flavour between your cocktails and your food.