From Cuba’s iconic Mojito to Italy’s Negroni, if you need a list of classic cocktails for any season or occasion, here are our top seven.
Drinkers have been sipping classic cocktails for decades because they are timeless, simple to make and never go out of style. Over the years, original recipes have been adjusted, the liquors refined, but the satisfaction and joy of sipping tasty cocktails remains the same. We have compiled a list of 7 classic drinks from around the world for you to recreate at home.
UK: Pimms No. 1 Cup
Sweet, crisp and refreshing, the gin-based fruit cup is like summer in a glass. Created between 1823 and 1840, it is one of the most iconic British drinks. Simply mix Pimm’s No. 1, lemonade, fruits, cucumber, mint and lots of ice and you will have a perfect afternoon party cocktail.
Italy: Negroni
Negroni was historically seen as a masculine drink with its sharp taste and rich, dark fruit flavours. The zesty orange cocktail, which is a perfect combination of dry gin, Campari and sweet vermouth, is one of the most frequently ordered drinks in the world. More than 100 years after its creation in Florence in 1919, the three-part classic remains beloved for its simple recipe and refreshing bitterness.
Spain: Sangria
Fun, fruity and aromatic, Spain's Sangria is a real crowd pleaser. All Sangria starts with a bottle of wine – lighter wines with fruity notes are the best choice. Generously mix with ripe fruit, mint and some sparkling water and you will have a refreshing, sweet drink for warm summer nights.
Singapore: Singapore Sling
Developed sometime before 1915, the pink-hued drink was initially targeted at women. The gin-based cocktail has an attractive colour and delicate taste, plus there are loads of variations. Simply mix gin with cherry brandy, Benedictine, Angostura bitters, pineapple and lime juice in a cocktail shaker and garnish with a cherry or a slice of orange. With so many liqueurs in it, this sweet drink will be a party for your taste buds!
Cuba: Mojito
Traditionally, this iconic drink consists of white rum, sugar, lime juice, sparkling water and mint, creating a perfect balance of sweetness, citrus and herbaceous flavours. The minty-citrus drink is more than 500 years old and is widely regarded as one of the oldest mixed drinks in the world. It also has a special place in James Bond movies when the hero offers Jinx a Mojito as she emerges Venus-like from the water. The famous scene caused the drink’s popularity to soar and kickstarted another generation's infatuation with the Mojito.
Brazil: Caipirinha
Caipirinha is Brazil's national cocktail that contains fresh lime juice, sugar and cachaça, a Brazilian rum. It is pronounced 'Kai-Pur-reen-Yah' , translating to 'little countryside drink', and is tasty and straightforward to make. The global cocktail has become popular in nightclubs and beach parties all around the world, especially in Germany where it has been the most popular cocktail for many years.
US: Manhattan
Composed of simply whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters, the Manhattan is a classic cocktail for whiskey-lovers. It is said that the drink was created on 29 December 1874 and commissioned by Jennie Churchill, Winston Churchill's mother, at a banquet organised for the lawyer and US presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden in the New York club Manhattan. Warm, smokey and smooth, this beauty is perfect for any special occasion.
