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 ColadaWhere 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 rum60ml coconut cream120ml pineapple juiceIcePineapple wedge for garnish (optional)Recommended Glassware: Poco grande glass - a big-bowled tall glass.MethodAdd all the ingredients to a blender or cocktail shaker and blend/shake until smoothGarnish with the pineapple wedge and serveMojitoAn 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 rum1 lime, juiced1tsp granulated sugarA handful of mint leavesSoda water to top upIceRecommended Glassware: Highball or Collins glass - a tall glass.MethodJuice the lime into a small jugAdd 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 garnishPour the ingredients from the jug into a tall glass and add the icePour in the rum and stirTop up the rest of the glass with soda water and serveManhattanThis 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 whiskey15ml sweet vermouth15ml dry vermouth2 dashes of Angostura bittersA cocktail cherry for garnishIceRecommended Glassware: Martini glass.MethodCombine the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass, add ice and stir thoroughlyStrain into a cocktail glassAdd the cocktail cherry for garnish and serve MargaritaA 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 tequila30ml Cointreau22ml fresh lime juice½ tablespoon of salt for the glass rim1 lime wedge and a lime wheel for garnishIceRecommended Glassware: Margarita glass.MethodRun the lime wedge over the rim of the glass, dip the rim in salt then set asideIn a cocktail shaker, combine the tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. Fill with ice and shake thoroughly until chilled throughoutFill a margarita glass with ice and strain the cocktail into the glassGarnish with the lime wheel and serveStrawberry DaiquiriAn 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 rum250g hulled strawberriesJuice of ¼ lime1tbsp syrup100g ice1 halved strawberry for garnishRecommended Glassware: Margarita or Martini glass.MethodBlend the strawberries and push the blended purée through a sieve to remove the seedsPut the sieved purée back into the blender and add the ice, rum, sugar syrup and lime juiceBlend the mixture and then pour into a cocktail glassAdd the strawberry garnish and serveCosmopolitanA 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 vodka15ml triple sec75ml cranberry juice1bsp fresh lime juiceIceRecommended Glassware: Martini glass.MethodFill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice and shake vigorously until well chilledStrain into a cocktail glass and serveEspresso MartiniIf 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 vodka15ml coffee liqueur (usually Kahlúa)30ml freshly brewed espresso15ml syrupIce2 or 3 coffee beans for garnishRecommended Glassware: Martini glass.MethodAdd the vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until chilled throughoutStrain into a cocktail glassGarnish with the coffee beans and serveTequila SunriseA 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.Ingredients50ml tequila60ml grenadine100ml orange juiceIceAn orange wheel for garnishRecommended Glassware: Highball or Collins glass.MethodFill a tall glass with ice and add the tequila and orange juicePour the grenadine into the glass. The grenadine will sink to the bottom, do not stir it.Garnish with an orange wheelNegroniJames 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 gin30ml sweet vermouth30ml CampariIceOrange slice for garnishRecommended Glassware: A rocks glass - a small tumbler glass.MethodPour the gin, vermouth, and Campari into a mixing glass with ice. Stir until the outside of the glass feels coldStrain into a tumbler glass and add fresh iceGarnish with the orange slice and serveLong Island Iced TeaNot 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 vodka25ml white rum25ml silver tequila25ml gin25ml triple sec25ml lemon juiceCola to top up withIceLemon wedge for garnishRecommended Glassware: Highball or Collins glass.MethodAdd the vodka, rum, tequila, gin, triple sec and lemon juice to a tall glass filled with iceTop with cola and stir gentlyGarnish with the lemon wedge and serveLow 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.