COCKTAIL RECIPES
Enhance your menu and delight your customers with these classic cocktails, perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re looking to refresh your summer offerings or add some sophisticated new choices, these drinks are sure to impress. From the refreshing Pimm’s Cup to the sophisticated Black Velvet, these recipes celebrate the best of flavours and tradition.
Each cocktail recipe includes easy-to-follow instructions, helping your staff quickly master the preparation process. These drinks are designed to suit a wide range of tastes, from fruity and floral to rich and warming. Plus, they offer an exciting variety of base spirits—from gin and vodka to elderflower liqueur and stout—ensuring that your bar has something for everyone.
Why use these recipes?
- Authenticity: These recipes showcase well-loved cocktails, allowing you to bring a taste of the world to your customers.
- Versatility: From light and refreshing to bold and complex, these drinks cover all the bases for your diverse clientele.
- Easy to Prepare: Each recipe is designed to be simple to execute, ensuring that your bar staff can serve drinks efficiently, even on busy nights.
- Perfect for All Occasions: Whether it’s a summer garden party or a sophisticated evening out, these cocktails cater to any setting.
- Attractive & Profitable: These cocktails not only look fantastic but also offer a good opportunity for upselling with premium spirits and creative garnishes.
With these recipes in hand, your staff will be ready to serve the perfect cocktail for any customer, ensuring that every drink experience at your venue is a memorable one.
British Cocktails
Pimm’s Cup
The quintessential British summer drink, the Pimm’s Cup is a refreshing and fruity cocktail made with Pimm’s No. 1, lemonade, and an assortment of garnishes such as cucumber, strawberries, and mint. Ideal for lazy afternoons in the garden or at summer parties.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Pimm’s No. 1
- 150ml lemonade (or lemon soda)
- Cucumber slices
- Mint leaves
- Strawberries (sliced)
- Orange slices
- Ice
How to make: Fill a tall glass with ice. Add Pimm’s No. 1, then top up with lemonade. Stir gently and garnish with cucumber slices, mint leaves, strawberries, and orange slices.
Bramble
A British classic, the Bramble blends gin, blackberry liqueur (Crème de Mûre), and fresh lemon juice, creating a balance of sweet and tart flavours. It’s a visually striking cocktail with its dark berry hue and is perfect for anyone who loves fruit-forward drinks.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Gin (preferably a London Dry Gin)
- 25ml Crème de Mûre (blackberry liqueur)
- 25ml Fresh lemon juice
- 10ml Simple syrup
- Ice
- Blackberries for garnish
How to make: Fill a glass with ice. Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Stir gently. Slowly pour the crème de mûre over the back of a spoon to create a layered effect. Garnish with blackberries.
Black Velvet
A sophisticated and smooth combination of stout beer (like Guinness) and Champagne, the Black Velvet is a cocktail that marries the richness of stout with the effervescence of bubbly. Perfect for special occasions or when you want to enjoy something unique.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Stout beer (such as Guinness)
- 50ml Champagne
How to make: Pour the stout into a glass, then carefully top with Champagne, pouring slowly over the back of a spoon to keep the layers separate. Serve chilled.
The Duke
The Duke is a refreshing and slightly spicy cocktail that combines gin with lemon juice, honey syrup, and ginger beer. The addition of honey and ginger gives it a smooth sweetness with a bit of a kick, making it a perfect balance of flavours for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Gin (preferably a good British gin)
- 15ml Fresh lemon juice
- 10ml Honey syrup
- 10ml Ginger beer
- Ice
How to make: In a shaker, mix gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass. Top with ginger beer and stir gently. Garnish with a lemon slice.
The London Mule
A British variation of the popular Moscow Mule, the London Mule swaps vodka for gin, creating a citrusy, gingery delight. This cocktail is refreshing, with the perfect balance of spice from the ginger beer and zesty lime, making it a great choice for a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Gin
- 25ml Fresh lime juice
- 150ml Ginger beer
- Ice
How to make: Fill a copper mug or tall glass with ice. Add gin and lime juice, then top with ginger beer. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.
British Garden
A vibrant and floral cocktail that brings together gin, elderflower liqueur, and apple juice, creating a drink reminiscent of a sunny garden. The fresh mint and zesty lemon juice elevate this cocktail into a refreshing, aromatic delight.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Gin
- 25ml Elderflower liqueur
- 25ml Fresh lemon juice
- 50ml Apple juice
- Ice
- Fresh mint leaves
How to make: In a shaker, combine the gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and apple juice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.
English Garden
A crisp and light cocktail, the English Garden combines gin with apple juice, elderflower cordial, and lime juice. It’s an elegant, refreshing drink that transports you to a serene garden setting with its delicate flavours and fresh, citrusy notes.
Ingredients:
- 40ml Gin
- 25ml Apple juice
- 15ml Lime juice
- 15ml Elderflower cordial
- Ice
- Fresh mint leaves
How to make: Combine gin, apple juice, lime juice, and elderflower cordial in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with mint leaves.
Espresso Martini
A modern classic, the Espresso Martini is a coffee-lover’s dream. This British twist uses freshly brewed espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur to create a rich, energizing cocktail. It’s the perfect pick-me-up after a long day or as a dessert cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Vodka
- 25ml Coffee liqueur
- 25ml Freshly brewed espresso
- 10ml Simple syrup
- Ice
How to make: Shake all ingredients with ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with 3 coffee beans.
Pink Gin & Tonic
A vibrant, fruitier take on the classic Gin & Tonic, the Pink Gin & Tonic combines the smoothness of gin with a refreshing twist of tonic water and the tang of citrus. It's a lively, easy-drinking cocktail perfect for any time of day.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Pink Gin (such as Beefeater Pink)
- Tonic water
- Ice
- Lemon or lime wedges
How to make: Fill a glass with ice and pour over the pink gin. Top with tonic water. Stir gently and garnish with lemon or lime wedges.
Corpse Reviver No. 2
A classic cocktail from the golden age of mixology, the Corpse Reviver No. 2 combines gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, and a drop of absinthe. It’s a light, aromatic drink with a delicate herbal finish—ideal for those who appreciate vintage cocktails with a bit of mystery.
Ingredients:
- 25ml Gin
- 25ml Cointreau
- 25ml Lillet Blanc (or white vermouth)
- 1 drop Absinthe (or pastis)
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish
How to make: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Worldwide Cocktails
Margarita (Mexico)
The Margarita is a global favourite that combines tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur for a refreshing, tangy drink. This cocktail is perfect for summer or any occasion where you want to bring a bit of vibrant flavour to the table. It can be served either on the rocks or blended, depending on your preference.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Tequila (Jose Cuervo, Olmeca)
- 25ml Triple sec (Cointreau, Bols)
- 25ml Fresh lime juice
- Salt (for the rim)
How to make: Rub a lime wedge around the rim of a glass, dip into salt, and set aside. Shake tequila, triple sec, and lime juice with ice, then strain into the prepared glass. Serve with a lime wedge.
Negroni (Italy)
The Negroni is an iconic Italian cocktail that balances the bitter taste of Campari with the smoothness of gin and the richness of sweet vermouth. It's a perfect aperitif, ideal for those who enjoy a more complex, bitter-sweet drink.
Ingredients:
- 25ml Gin (Beefeater, Tanqueray)
- 25ml Campari
- 25ml Sweet vermouth (Martini Rosso, Cinzano)
How to make: Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a glass filled with ice and garnish with an orange slice.
Old Fashioned (USA)
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail with roots in the USA. It’s a simple yet elegant mix of bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar, and bitters, finished with a twist of orange peel. It’s perfect for whisky lovers who enjoy a strong, uncomplicated drink.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Bourbon (Woodford Reserve, Bulleit Bourbon etc)
- 1 Sugar cube
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel
How to make: Muddle the sugar cube and bitters in a glass. Add whiskey and ice, stir, then garnish with an orange peel twist.
Cosmopolitan (USA)
The Cosmopolitan, famously popularized by “Sex and the City,” is a smooth and tart cocktail made with vodka, cranberry juice, lime, and triple sec. It’s perfect for any occasion, adding a splash of glamour and sophistication.
Ingredients:
- 40ml Vodka (Absolut, Grey Goose)
- 20ml Triple sec (Cointreau)
- 10ml Fresh lime juice
- 25ml Cranberry juice
How to make: Shake vodka, triple sec, lime juice, and cranberry juice with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
Whiskey Sour (USA)
The Whiskey Sour is a simple yet delicious cocktail that balances whiskey with fresh lemon juice and a touch of sugar. It’s a timeless favourite, offering a smooth, slightly tart drink that’s both refreshing and comforting.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Bourbon (Woodford Reserve, Bulleit Bourbon etc)
- 25ml Fresh lemon juice
- 15ml Simple syrup
- 1 Egg white (optional)
How to make: Shake all ingredients with ice (if using egg white, dry shake first). Strain into a rocks glass over ice and garnish with a cherry or lemon twist.
Mojito (Cuba)
A refreshing Cuban classic, the Mojito combines white rum, fresh mint, sugar, lime, and soda water for a zesty and invigorating cocktail. Its lightness makes it ideal for daytime drinking or any warm-weather occasion.
Ingredients:
- 50ml White rum (Bacardi, Havana Club)
- 10-12 Fresh mint leaves
- 25ml Fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoons Sugar
- Soda water
How to make: Muddle mint and sugar in a glass. Add lime juice and rum, fill with ice, and top with soda water. Stir well and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge.
Daiquiri (Cuba)
The Daiquiri is a simple yet sophisticated rum-based cocktail, made with lime juice and sugar. It’s one of the most iconic cocktails from Cuba, offering a smooth and balanced blend of sweet and sour notes.
Ingredients:
- 50ml White rum (Bacardi, Havana Club)
- 25ml Fresh lime juice
- 15ml Simple syrup
How to make: Shake rum, lime juice, and syrup with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
Piña Colada (Puerto Rico)
A tropical, creamy cocktail, the Piña Colada combines rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream. It's a sweet, indulgent drink that’s perfect for beach parties or for those looking to escape to a warmer destination in their mind.
Ingredients:
- 50ml White rum (Bacardi, Havana Club)
- 75ml Pineapple juice
- 25ml Coconut cream (Coco Lopez)
How to make: Blend rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream with ice until smooth. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry.
Caipirinha (Brazil)
Brazil’s national cocktail, the Caipirinha, is made with Cachaça, lime, and sugar. This cocktail is bold, fresh, and slightly sweet, perfect for anyone who enjoys a citrus-heavy drink with a strong kick.
Ingredients:
- 50ml Cachaça (Sagatiba, 51)
- 1 Lime (cut into wedges)
- 2 teaspoons Sugar
How to make: Muddle lime wedges and sugar in a glass. Add cachaça and ice, stir well, and garnish with a lime wedge.
Mojito Royale (Cuba)
The Mojito Royale is an elevated version of the classic Mojito, adding a splash of Champagne for a celebratory touch. It’s the perfect cocktail for toasts or any occasion where you want to bring a little sparkle to the classic refreshing mojito.
Ingredients:
- 50ml White rum (Bacardi, Havana Club)
- 10-12 Fresh mint leaves
- 25ml Fresh lime juice
- 2 teaspoons Sugar
- Champagne or sparkling wine
How to make: Muddle mint and sugar in a glass. Add lime juice and rum, fill with ice, and top with Champagne. Garnish with mint sprigs and lime.