Inspired by the sherry colada at New York bar Sip & Guzzle, we’ve mixed cream sherry with pineapple soda for this fresh, tropical, highly gluggable highball
Try our sherry highball, then discover our sherry sour, Tiojito sherry cocktail and frozen sherry cobbler cocktail. Also, try more Christmas cocktails. Sherry highball recipe
A Christmassy spin on a classic whisky cocktail, the cream sherry adds extra festive flavours to the drink
Try our sherry whisky sour, then discover our old fashioned, Manhattan, whisky highball, sazerac and more whisky cocktails. Sherry whisky sour recipe
Velvety, nutty and low-ABV, this sherry flip makes an excellent alternative to eggnog during the festive season
Try our sherry flip, then discover our sherry sour, Tiojito sherry cocktail and frozen sherry cobbler cocktail. Also, try more Christmas cocktails. Sherry flip cocktail
Kick Christmas Day morning off with a vibrant blend of champagne, pink grapefruit juice and blanco tequila
Try our Paloma champagne cocktail, then discover homemade grenadine, bucks fizz, kir royale, French 75 and more champagne cocktails. Paloma champagne cocktail recipe
We’ve used Aperol here but you could swap with another Italian aperitif like Campari or Select Aperitivo for a more bittersweet flavour
Try our Aperol spritz punch, then discover sloe gin fizz, Christmas spiced negroni and more Christmas cocktails. Aperol spritz punch recipe
Feeling too stuffed for dessert after a big dinner? Enter the pudding cocktail: sweet, creamy and boozy, it’s the perfect end to a meal. Here we’ve used the flavours of a classic Italian dessert to make a decadent treat
Try our tiramisu martini, then discover our passion fruit martini, French martini, vesper martini and more easy martini recipes. Also try our recipes for homemade coffee syrup and other coffee cocktails such as our revolver cocktail. If you are entertaining, our espresso martini cheesecake makes for an impressive dinner party dessert, or make our fun espresso martini cake pops for a grown-up treat. Tiramisu martini recipe
The coconut cream might separate a little in the glass but just give it a quick stir if it does. If you don’t like rum then swapping for blanco tequila turns this into an equally delicious coconut margarita
Try our white Christmas colada, then discover our virgin piña colada, classic piña colada and pineapple mezcal margarita. Plus, discover dry gin martini and more martini recipes. White Christmas colada recipe
Using spiced rum instead of whisky in a manhattan adds a warming richness and smoothness to this classic cocktail
Try our spiced rum manhattan, then discover our negroni, dirty martini, Americano cocktail, sherry Manhattan and more vermouth cocktail recipes. We prefer using a drier variety like Black Tears dry spiced rum but if you don’t have this you could use a 50/50 mixture of traditional spiced rum and aged dark rum. Spiced rum manhattan recipe
Add amaretto to an old fashioned for a lush, nutty tinge that makes it perfect for sipping after dinner
Try our amaretto old fashioned, then discover gingerbread old fashioned, chocolate old fashioned or monkey old fashioned. Amaretto is a sweet, almond-flavoured Italian liqueur that is most famously used in an amaretto sour but also pairs really well with dark spirits like whisky. Amaretto old fashioned recipe
It only takes three ingredients to make a perfect dry gin martini. Garnish with a lemon peel twist or green olives
Try our dry gin martini, then discover our espresso martini, beetroot vodka martini or passion fruit martini. A martini is all about the ratio of spirit to vermouth – the more spirit you use, the drier the martini. We used a 5:1 ratio of gin to dry vermouth for this recipe, but you could use 4:1 or go drier with 6:1, 7:1, 8:1 or even higher – it all depends on your preference. Make sure you stir together the ingredients well with ice – the dilution this achieves is key to the final drink. Dry gin martini recipe
Mix up a creepy Halloween cocktail with our best ever recipes. Celebrate the spooky season with a bloody blackberry whisky, blood orange campari cocktails or an electric purple rain
Looking for the best Halloween cocktail recipes? Want the best Halloween recipe ideas? Impress your guests and show some dramatic flair with these ghoulish yet delicious concoctions, then check out our main Halloween recipes, Halloween baking ideas and best Halloween mocktails. We've also got plenty of pumpkin recipes that are perfect for Halloween. Check out our picks of the best cocktail shakers to buy for mixing up your cocktails in style. Pair your Halloween recipes with festive drinks and creepy cocktails. Best Halloween cocktail recipes Blackberry whisky Blackberries give this homemade whisky cocktail a vampiric-look, perfect for a Halloween party. You could even use your spooky spirit in one of our whisky cocktails. Zombie cocktail Kick off your Halloween party with this classic tiki cocktail. Composed of a blend of three types of rum, fruit juices, anise liqueur, grenadine and Angostura bitters, it really packs a punch! Love rum? See more of our rum cocktails. Paper plane cocktail This four-ingredient bourbon cocktail is bold, bittersweet and effortlessly stylish. Aperol and amaro add a striking red hue and a gently complex edge, perfect for slow sipping. Serve in small bottles or glass vials for a clever Halloween twist — think chic poison with a grown-up kick. Purple rain This electrifying cocktail – combining blue curaçao with grenadine to create the unusual purple colour – makes a simple but eye-catching drink to serve at your Halloween get-together. Grasshopper cocktail Minty crème de menthe gives this grasshopper cocktail a ghoulish teal hue, making it an appropriate tipple to serve at Halloween. Rob roy A smoky spin on the Manhattan, the Rob Roy swaps bourbon for Scotch whisky, bringing a drier finish and subtle peatiness. Served with a single maraschino cherry sinking at the bottom, it hints at something slightly sinister — like an eyeball in a glass. Blue lagoon Shake up a round of this eye-catching vodka cocktail – blue curacao gives it a retro and acidic-looking edge. Black velvet Don’t be fooled by the unlikely pairing — the Black Velvet blends rich stout with crisp Champagne for a surprisingly smooth and elegant serve. Inky and dramatic, it wouldn’t look out of place in a witch’s cauldron, making it a fitting choice for a Halloween toast. Tomatini This vodka and tomato cocktail is a lighter take on the sometimes-soupy bloody mary. The tomatini is a fresh, zingy pick-me-up with a delicious savoury note that will (given its blood-red hue) bring a spooky note to a Halloween evening. Largartija This cocktail can be prepped ahead — just mix all the ingredients (minus the ice) and chill until ready to serve. Scale up the quantities depending on your guest list for a Halloween-ready punch bowl that’s as easy to pour as it is to enjoy. Gingerbread espresso martini cocktail Dark and indulgent, these gingerbread espresso martini cocktails make the perfect drinks to serve at a supernatural soirée. Tequila Mockingbird If the presence of tequila doesn't scare your guests enough, the 'suspicious' dark red colour of this prep-ahead cocktail dessert from Sixtyone in Marylebone is sure to unnerve them. Buy dried hibiscus flowers at health food shops or online here. Negroni Mix up a vibrant 'blood orange' cocktail using a mix of Campari, gin and Martini Rosso. This bitter Italian cocktail is perfect for a relaxed grown-up gathering. White Lady cocktail Gin drinkers will love this elegant White Lady cocktail, where bitter orange Cointreau and fresh lemon juice provide a light, zesty kick. Blood orange Campari cocktails Campari is an Italian herbal liqueur famous for its bitter taste, beautiful red colour, and the role it plays in the classic negroni. This, combined with a slice of blood orange, adds a Halloween-appropriate tinge to this refreshing apéritif. Black russian Serve this coffee cocktail in an old fashioned glass with ice for a sinister-looking, post-dinner drink with a caffeine kick. Blueberry margarita Whizzed up blueberries help create a blood-like hue in this fruity take on a classic margarita cocktail.
This is essentially a twist on a margarita but with added chilli warmth. You can swap the tequila for mezcal to add extra smoky depth to the cocktail
Try our picante cocktail, then discover spicy margarita, frozen margarita and more tequila cocktail recipes. Find more refreshing drinks in our collection of summer cocktail recipes, including a long island iced tea, piña colada and mai tai. After, read how to elevate your cocktail skills with our best home bar hacks. Picante cocktail recipe
From aperitif rituals to perfect iced coffee, embrace the joy with our summer drinks ideas
Check out our guide to feel-good summer drinks, then explore our summer cocktails, easy cocktails and frozen cocktails. Feel-good summer drinks Aperitif hour An aperitif is a drink designed to sharpen or whet your appetite before a meal, usually with some snacks to nibble alongside. It's a ritual that's easy to recreate at home, and can mark a peaceful moment at the end of the day when you can relax and unwind before dinner – particularly if you can find a sunny spot in the garden or on a patio or balcony. First of all, start with what you'd like to drink. Aperitifs are often dry, bubbly or bittersweet – fortified wines like fino sherry and vermouth are delicious with salty foods (and last for weeks in the fridge); keep it simple with a G&T or a chilled glass of fizz (try our favourite champagne and English sparkling wines here); and use Italian bittersweet herbal liqueurs like Aperol and Campari for spritzes. Do make sure you invest in some beautiful glassware – check out our best cocktail glasses here. Next, choose what you'd like to nibble on while you sip. This can be as simple as salted crisps, chunky green olives or smoked almonds (especially good with sherry), or explore our easy snack ideas, including paprika crisps and fennel crudités, cheese straws and grilled padron pepper and chorizo skewers. Finally, don't go overboard! One or two aperitifs before moving on to your meal is just right – especially if you're enjoying boozy cocktails like negronis or martinis. Make your mocktails next-level More and more of us are either going sober or drinking less, and even if you're not abstaining, in hot weather it pays to pace yourself when it comes to booze. We find that putting extra effort and care into alcohol-free drinks really helps make you feel as if you're not 'missing out'. We've got lots of delicious mocktail inspiration, from a virgin margarita and alcohol-free mojito to a non-alcoholic passionfruit martini. For ready-made drinks, explore our favourite alcohol-free beers and wines and for fizz we suggest exploring the world of sparkling teas, which offer all the complexity of traditional sparkling wine minus the alcohol. We've rounded up the best sparkling teas to buy here. Perfect iced coffee In summer, our iced coffee habit goes into overdrive but it can be an expensive one to maintain – unless you master the art of making it at home. Start with a generous amount of ice in the glass, then pour over 30-50ml of espresso, topping with milk or your favourite dairy-free alternative. Filter and pour-over coffee lovers should make a strong 250-300ml batch, then let it cool to room temperature before putting in the fridge to chill. Once cold, add lots of ice to the glass and drink black or with a little milk. Read our guide to how to make iced coffee for more tips and tricks – including how to make cold brew coffee. Once you're confident in your coffee game, branch out to more creative serves – try our extra-caffeinated iced matcha latte, floral lavender expresso tonic and chocolatey iced mocha. Want to save even more time? Explore our pick of the best iced coffee and cold brew makers. Channel holiday vibes at home From chilled rosé with seafood lunches to Aperol spritzes by the pool, we often truly feel on holiday not when we've stepped off the plane but when we've taken that first sip of something delicious. If a staycation is on the cards then cocktails are an easy way to bring those sunshine vibes into your home. Italian cocktails include plenty of holiday-worthy creations and a crisp, bubbly spritz is a no-brainer. We've got lots of spritz ideas here – try a Campari spritz for a more grown up, bitter flavour or limoncello if you have a sweet tooth. We're also partial to a Venetian-style spritz with Select Aperitivo, garnished with a green olive. Whichever you use, spritzes are very easy to make at home – typically featuring a sparkling wine, an Italian bitter liqueur and a splash of soda water, all you need to do is follow a simple ratio of 3:2:1 (wine, bitter, soda water). Elsewhere, our collection of Mexican-inspired cocktails make the most of agave spirits, from classic margs to zesty palomas and a smoky mezcal sunset. And anything garnished with pineapple, a cocktail umbrella or in a hurricane glass instantly ups the holiday vibe so do explore our tropical and tiki cocktails. A super speedy way to upgrade your drinks is by adding next-level garnishes – woody herbs like rosemary and thyme add herbaceous mediterranean flavour; while fat wedges of lemon, grapefruit and orange add sunny citrus notes. Sharing cocktails Whipping up a jug of cocktails is an easy, fuss-free way to entertain in summer. Sangrias are low-ABV and a great way to use up leftover wine and seasonal fruit – try our classic version here, or branch out into white wine sangria and rosé sangria. Elsewhere, we've got some super-quick ideas for making cocktails for a crowd. Craving rum punch? Fill a large jug three-quarters full with ice, then add 300ml of golden rum, 100ml of lime juice, a dash of Angostura bitters, 200ml of smooth orange juice, 200ml of pineapple juice and stir well. Pour in 200ml grenadine syrup just before serving. For a boozy spin on iced tea, try this peach and bourbon slushy: steep 2 English breakfast tea bags in 400ml 0f just-boiled water for 5 minutes, then mix in 2-3 tsp of sugar and cool. Chop 3-4 peaches into bite-sized pieces and mix with the tea and 300ml of bourbon. Pour into a blender and blitz until smooth. Pour into a plastic container and freeze for 2 hours or until a pourable, slushie-like consistency. Stir then pour into a large jug and serve. Frozen drinks When the temperatures really soar then frozen cocktails are your new best friend. Our frozen margarita and frozen strawberry daiquiri are heatwave classics. Winningly simple to make with minimal ingredients, they both pair really well with spicy snacks. We also love this frozen sherry cobbler for a less-boozy cocktail, and this classic piña colada is a tropical must-make. Our top tips for frozen cocktails? Don't use lots of ice as this can make the drink too watery, and invest in a good blender that can handle blitzing ice – we've got some great suggestions here. Upgrade your drinks kit Summer cocktail season is the perfect time to treat yourself to some new glassware – check out our best cocktail glasses here. If you're starting a glass collection from scratch don't over complicate it: a good-quality wine glass also doubles as a vehicle for spritzes and G&Ts, while coupe glasses work well for martinis and margaritas. Grab chunky tumblers for short, boozy drinks like an old fashioned, and tall tumblers for long, refreshing drinks like a whisky highball. Everything looks extra chic on a drinks trolley – read our best bar carts for recommendations and styling suggestions. We love tailoring our trolley set up around our favourite drinks – for example negroni lovers might want to keep their bar carts stocked with short tumblers, gin, sweet vermouth and Campari. Home bar hacks We love a smart shortcut when it comes to summer cocktails – here are a few of our favourites... – No one wants to make multiple trips back and forth from the freezer – invest in a decent ice bucket so you can stay outside doing the important work of relaxing. For barbecues and parties, grab your biggest container and fill with a mix of ice and water for chilling bottles of wine, cider and beer so that guests can help themselves. – Flavoured ice cubes are easy to make and add an extra dimension to a drink. Try chopping up your favourite herbs (rosemary, basil, mint and thyme all work well), put them in ice cube tray compartments then fill with water, freeze and serve with drinks – they work particularly well in G&Ts. We also love doing the same with olive brine for dirty martinis, or try filling up an ice cube tray with left-over coffee to add to iced coffees in warm weather – this will ensure your brew doesn’t get too watered down. – When entertaining, it saves lots of time if you can batch cocktails ahead of time. Just increase the proportions of whatever you're making and store in the fridge or freezer ready to serve. Just remember that boozy spirit-forward cocktails can be made a few days in advance, while anything with fresh fruit juice or dairy is best made up on the day. – No cocktail shaker? No problem – use a jam jar instead. Build your cocktail, screw on the lid and shake with ice, then use a small sieve or even a fork to strain out any ice or solids when serving the drink. If you don’t have a jigger, use tablespoons instead – three is equivalent to 50ml. Instead of the long bar spoons typically used to stir drinks in cocktail shakers, try using a single chopstick instead. Check out our home bar hacks for more tips.
Turn frozen strawberries, lemon juice and sugar into a refreshing summer drink, best sipped in the sunshine
Try our frozen strawberry lemonade, then discover earl grey and marmalade cooler, cranberry and ginger fizz, or passion fruit martini mocktails. Frozen strawberry lemonade recipe
This is one of the easiest cocktails you can make – for best results, ensure you use freshly squeezed orange juice and serve the drink ice-cold
Try our screwdriver cocktail, then discover our purple rain, blue lagoon or flying grasshopper cocktail and check out more vodka cocktails. The simplicity of the screwdriver means you can easily adapt it: swap the vodka for peach schnapps to make a kitsch fuzzy navel, or add Galliano L’Autentico liqueur to make a harvey wallbanger. If you’re looking for more easy vodka highballs, use grapefruit juice instead of orange and add a salt rim to make a salty dog – it’s deliciously bitter, yet refreshing. Screwdriver cocktail recipe
This modern twist on a retro tequila sunrise is made with smoky mezcal for a refreshing, grown-up sundowner
Try our mezcal sunset cocktail, then try our mezcal, pineapple and jalapeño smash, pineapple mezcal margarita or mezcal and elderflower highball. Mezcal sunset cocktail recipe
Almost like hot chocolate, this Caribbean speciality is the best tea you’ll ever taste. You'll need raw cocoa, milk and plenty of aromatic spices
Try cocoa tea, then discover luxury hot chocolate, slow cooker hot chocolate or orange hot chocolate. The tradition of cocoa tea drinking is said to have originated in the west coast town of Soufriere, St Lucia, around 1833 following abolition. As tea leaves were harder to source but cocoa was not, it became a new custom that has stuck ever since. I first tried this in St Lucia with bek fwi (fry bakes) for breakfast and have never looked back. Boiling the raw cocoa with the spices (and bergamot peel, as my friend from Grenada does) before adding the milk and sugar gives the tea an extra warmth and hum. Cocoa has been grown and exported from St Lucia, Grenada and Dominica – to name a few – for centuries. Along with sugar and coffee, cocoa was one of the main exports to Europe and beyond. Recipes extracted from Caribe by Keshia Sakarah (£30, Quadrille). Photographs © Matt Russell. Recipes are sent by the publisher and not retested by us. Cocoa tea recipe
A winningly simple, bittersweet bourbon cocktail made with just four ingredients
Try this paper plane cocktail, then check out our negroni, classic bellini and more Italian cocktails. Also discover more bourbon cocktails such as our revolver cocktail, old fashioned and mint julep. Amaro is very popular in Italy, with Santoni itself hailing from Tuscany. A modernised amaro, its unique, patented vacuum distillation makes the botanicals bright and fresh. Follow Maria G’s head bartender Emanuel Ferris-Hue’s advice and enjoy it with tropical flavours such as passion fruit, or over ice with an orange slice.
A close cousin to the manhattan, instead of bourbon or rye the rob roy uses scotch whisky for a drier, subtly smoky result
Try this recipe for a Rob roy, then check out our negroni, dirty martini, americano cocktail, sherry manhattan and more vermouth cocktail recipes. Rob Roy cocktail recipe
Give your weekend beers a savoury twist with this classic Mexican cocktail
Make up a refreshing michelada, then check out our margarita cocktail, paloma cocktail, mezcal cocktail, mezcal sunset cocktail and more Mexican cocktail recipes. Michelada recipe
The rebujito, popular in Andalucia, is just the ticket: a highball cocktail where dry fino sherry is mixed with lemonade for a tall, thirst-quenching drink
Try our rebujito, then try seabreeze cocktail, bronze Adonis, or tiojito (sherry cocktail). Lower-ABV cocktails are perfect for warm weather drinking when pacing is important. When it comes to the lemonade, don’t pick a cloudy variety – 7 Up or Sprite is best, and we also like it made with Fanta Lemon. Rebujito recipe
Try a new project this weekend by making your own pink gin. Take trimmed rhubarb, add sugar and gin, then reap the rewards neat over ice or in a pink-tinged G&T
Make your own rhubarb gin, then check out our rhubarb cordial, rhubarb crumble, rhubarb jam and more rhubarb recipes. Also, find more drinks inspiration in our collection of gin cocktail recipes, such as our singapore sling, negroni and vesper martini, as well as our homemade sloe gin recipe. Want to make your own sugar syrup? Whip up our simple recipe in just 5 minutes. What's the best gin to infuse? The best gin to infuse is typically a high-quality, classic London Dry gin, as it offers a clean, juniper-forward profile that pairs well with additional flavours. A neutral gin allows your chosen infusion ingredients to shine through distinctly, resulting in a beautifully flavoured custom spirit. How long should the rhubarb infuse for? To infuse rhubarb into gin effectively, it's best to let it steep for at least one to two weeks.
Leap into spring with a freezer martini – this batch recipe means you’ll have ice-cold martinis to hand whenever the craving hits
Try our freezer martini, then discover our espresso martini, French martini, lychee martini or beetroot vodka martini. You can play around with the ratios of gin to vermouth but it’s best to have a higher proportion of spirit so the martini doesn’t freeze or become slushy. Adjusting your freezer temperature can also help with the latter. Freezer martini recipe
Make your Valentine's Day one to remember with our pick of the best Valentine's Day cocktails, from pretty pink numbers to tart aperitifs and indulgent dessert drinks
Get inspired by our Valentine's Day cocktails, then check out our best romantic meal ideas, effortless Valentine's Day menu ideas, Valentine's Day gifts for foodies and the most romantic UK hotels. Whether you're planning a multi-course feast at home or a quick cocktail before you head out for dinner, we've got plenty of ideas for delicious Valentine's Day tipples, from champagne cocktails to espresso martinis. Best Valentine's Day cocktails Rhubarb and rose gin fizz We’ve given a classic ramos gin fizz an update for Valentine’s Day, swapping the usual orange blossom water for rose water and adding a touch of homemade rhubarb syrup to give it a blush of pink. It’s delicate in flavour and creamy enough to replace dessert, and is bound to impress. Check out more of our pretty pink cocktails. Passion fruit martini Add both sharpness and sweetness to your next martini with fresh passion fruit and lime juice. Vanilla vodka, if you have it, works well in this recipe. Try our mocktail version if you prefer a non-alcoholic version. Pomegranate fizz Blush pink, bubbly and made with sparkling rosé for a touch of romance – this pomegranate fizz cocktail will ensure love is in the air this Valentine’s Day. Homemade grenadine and champagne cocktails These homemade grenadine and champagne cocktails are an easy way to impress your Valentine… after all, it wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day without bubbles! Pomegranate negroni Pomegranate juice, dry gin and sweet vermouth create a simple and refreshing pre-dinner drink for two. Garnish with a slice of blood orange. Vieux carré cocktail Fans of Manhattans, old fashioneds, and sazeracs will adore this layered, complex cocktail. It is perfect for savouring slowly after a romantic dinner, adding a touch of warmth and sophistication to your evening. Baileys cocktail Round off your romantic meal with an elegant evening tipple. This Baileys cocktail is made from a luxuriously silky blend of coffee liqueur, vodka and double cream. Paper plane cocktail This four-ingredient cocktail comes from Italian-inspired Maria G’s in Kensington. It features bourbon and amaro, a bitter-sweet herbal liqueur, making it a great digestif. Il aperitivo Italicus prosecco cocktail With hints of lavender, rose and ripe citrus, this refreshing floral cocktail is a super easy drink to make for Valentine’s Day. Mezcal sour cocktail Try Omri McNabb's mezcal cocktail from The Palomar restaurant—a bold and vibrant drink perfect for Valentine's Day. This potent mix combines smoky mezcal, smooth pisco, aromatic aperitivo, egg whites, zesty lime juice and tart cranberry bitters. With its striking pink-red hue and a flavour profile that balances depth and brightness, it's the ideal cocktail for a romantic evening or a lively night out. Rosé negroni sbagliato A negroni sbagliato swaps the gin for sparkling wine, ideal for those who find the original a little too boozy. This recipe also uses Lillet Rosé and sparkling rosé wine for a pretty blush-hued aperitif – perfect for Valentine's Day. Paloma If you're in the mood for a pink drink for Valentine's Day but nothing too sweet, then try this classic tequila cocktail. Grapefruit juice, agave syrup and blanco tequila come together for a tart drink that's gently refreshing. Espresso martini Instead of ending your Valentine's dinner with an espresso, try this classic coffee cocktail instead –made using coffee liqueur, fresh espresso and vodka, it's smooth, velvety and deliciously easy to drink. Chocolate martini Dark chocolate is the star of this decadent dessert cocktail recipe, made with just three ingredients plus ice – just the ticket if you're craving something sweet to round off a romantic supper. Brandy alexander Made with crème de cacao, cream and brandy, this decadent retro cocktail can be drunk in place of pudding and makes for an indulgent conclusion to Valentine's Day. Cosmo margarita Looking for something light and refreshing? This vibrant pink hybrid cocktail swaps cranberry juice for fragrant hibiscus tea and vodka for tequila. Shake together with a dash of triple sec and lime juice, then garnish with a wedge of lime.
This rich and warming boulevardier swaps bourbon for scotch and Campari for Cynar, an earthy artichoke-based bittersweet Italian amaro
Try our cynar boulevardier, then discover more three-ingredient cocktails (including amaretto sour, mint julep and vesper martini). Cynar boulevardier recipe