10 Classic Cocktails for World Cocktail Day

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.

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

1. Add all the ingredients to a blender or cocktail shaker and blend/shake until smooth
2. 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 andsyrups.

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

1. Juice the lime into a small jug
2. 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
3. Pour the ingredients from the jug into a tall glass and add the ice
4. Pour in the rum and stir
5. 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

1. Combine the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass, add ice and stir thoroughly
2. Strain into a cocktail glass
3. 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

1. Run the lime wedge over the rim of the glass, dip the rim in salt then set aside
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake thoroughly until chilled throughout
3. Fill a margarita glass with ice and strain the cocktail into the glass
4. 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

1. Blend the strawberries and push the blended purée through a sieve to remove the seeds
2. Put the sieved purée back into the blender and add the ice, rum, sugar syrup and lime juice
3. Blend the mixture and then pour into a cocktail glass
4. 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

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice and shake vigorously until well chilled
2. 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

1. Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled throughout
2. Strain into a cocktail glass
3. 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

1. Fill a tall glass with ice and add the tequila and orange juice
2. Pour the grenadine into the glass. The grenadine will sink to the bottom, do not stir it.
3. 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

1. Pour the gin, vermouth, and Campari into a mixing glass with ice. Stir until the outside of the glass feels cold
2. Strain into a tumbler glass and add fresh ice
3. Garnish with the orange slice and serve

Long Island Iced Tea

Not one for the faint-hearted, the Long Island iced tea is a megamix of all the most loved spirits. A classic cocktail with equal parts of vodka, gin, tequila, rum and triple sec - a certified good time!

Ingredients (Serves 1)

• 25ml vodka
• 25ml white rum
• 25ml silver tequila
• 25ml gin
• 25ml triple sec
• 25ml lemon juice
• Cola to top up with
• Ice
• Lemon wedge for garnish

Recommended Glassware:Highball or Collins glass.

Method

1. Add the vodka, rum, tequila, gin, triple sec and lemon juice to a tall glass filled with ice
2. Top with cola and stir gently
3. Garnish with the lemon wedge 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.