The Best Cosmopolitan Variations

The Cosmo! Yet again, its origin story is as blurry as a whole night drinking them. Many different bartenders have claimed it as their own, most notably Toby Cecchini in 80s New York bar The Odeon.

More famously though, Sex & The City were the ones to put it on the map, with Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda never going too long without one. As we mentioned in our Iconic Cocktails from TV & Film breakdown, there are even forums dedicated to analysing the different Cosmos in the films!

The silver screen fired the Cosmopolitan to cocktail stardom and although it’s still popular, it’s ordered less and less these days. What better time then, to remind you of how great it is and to introduce you to some twists with these brilliant Cosmopolitan Variations!?

The Original – for the vodka lovers

Whenever you embark on a mixology tangent, it’s best to nail down the original first, right? A classic Cosmo packs a sweet and tangy punch, but one that feels fresh and clean rather than cloying or slush-puppy-ish in any way.

Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) quality vodka (you could use citrus flavour)
15ml (0.5oz) Triple Sec
30ml (1oz) cranberry juice
A dash of lime
Garnish: orange zest

Method
Shake up good vodka with triple sec, cranberry juice, a handful of ice, and a dash of lime juice for added zip. Get your shake on, and then pour the mix into a martini glass with orange zest for the quintessential Cosmo experience! 

Cosmobellini – for the wine lovers

Fairly self-explanatory, this is a hybrid of the original Cosmo and the Bellini. Transforming into a refreshing brunch cocktail, this is a mellower, softer experience with less intense tang, and more gentle aromatics and sweetness. A bit of fizz always makes a nice switch-up.

Ingredients
30ml (1oz) vodka
10ml (0.3oz) triple sec/Cointreau
15ml (0.5oz) cranberry juice
10ml (0.3oz) white peach puree
A dash of lime
30ml (1oz) Prosecco

Method
A lot of shaking here to mix everything, so just add all ingredients except the Prosecco, strain into a chilled flute and top up with your bubbles to serve. Voila! 

The French Cosmopolitan – for the cognac lovers

We love Grand Marnier at The Three Drinkers, and swapping out the orange liqueur for it makes so much sense. Whilst it is still half orange (all be it bitter orange), the other half is cognac which adds a smooth richness and a different kind of fruitiness.

Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) vodka
20ml (2/3oz) Grand Marnier
25ml (5.6oz) cranberry juice
A dash of lime
A dash of grenadine 
Garnish: orange zest

Method
Shake everything with a generous helping of ice until it feels cold to the touch, then strain. The garnish is up to you as any citrus goes, but we think some orange makes the most sense!

Strawberry Cosmo – for the strawberry lovers

This is a really simple twist on the original, but if you just want to try something only a little different it’s perfect. Fresh, muddled strawberries take the place of cranberry juice for a less tangy, more sweet fruity freshness.  

Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) vodka (citrus flavour works well)
15ml (0.5oz) Triple Sec
30ml (1oz) muddled strawberries
A dash of lime
Garnish: strawberry

Method
Muddle sweet strawberries and shake with vodka, triple sec, fresh lime, and a load of ice. Double strain into a chilled glass and add a sliced strawberry garnish to finish.

Citrus Cosmo – for the citrus lovers

The Citrus Cosmo is the fruitiest variation, with serious zip and tang. There are tonnes of good lemon or lime-flavoured vodkas out there (check out our Best Flavoured Vodka), and whichever you pick, just add the opposite for the juice e.g. using lime vodka? Use fresh lemon juice below. Served with tonnes of ice, this is a lively citrus-forward take on the original that’s delicious over summer.

 Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) lemon/lime vodka (like Masons Citrus)
15ml (0.5oz) cranberry juice
20ml (2/3oz) fresh orange juice
20ml (2/3oz) fresh lemon/lime juice
Dash of syrup (optional)

Method
All the hard work is done squeezing the fruits here – once that’s done, simply shake it all with ice, strain and pour! If you want it a little sweeter, add a dash of syrup.

ELDERFLOWER Cosmo – for aromatic lovers

With no cranberry or orange liqueur, this aromatic blend may be deemed heresy by the traditionalists, but cocktails are about experimentation! It’s wonderfully fragrant and floral with completely different notes to a usual Cosmo. It’s fresh, slightly tropical, and super refreshing – give it a go!

Ingredients
45ml (1.5oz) vodka (try Shanty Seaweed)
20ml (2/3oz) elderflower liqueur
20ml (2/3oz) pineapple juice
Dash of lemon
Dash of rose water (optional)
Garnish: basil

Method
Shake, shake, shake with ice, strain, and serve over large ice cubes and sip in the sun.

Vodka will always be centre stage in a Cosmo so the easiest way to mix it up is to embrace one of the many amazing, flavoured vodkas available right now!

The Best Ready to Drink Cocktails

Ready-to-sip cocktails are more popular than ever, and also better quality than ever. But there are still shockers to put you off them forever, so we've gone through the best of them! Whether it’s on the train, at a picnic or at a garden BBQ, these delicious, canned cocktails take all the hassle out of making them yourself without sacrificing taste.

Manchester Gin Raspberry Infuse/Franklin & Sons Sicilian Lemon Tonic

This vibrant twist on a G&T is both refreshing, but also has a touch of sweetness at the same time. Both the raspberry and lemon flavours are natural and fresh, and the fantastic Franklin & Sons lemon twist gives the drink a zing keeping the palate refreshing.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5.5%
Find here: £2.35 (3 for £5.75) Coop

LuvJus Mixed Pack

We’ve sung the praises of LuvJus before and for good reason. Not only do part of the profits go towards supporting LGBTQ+ charities, but the drinks inside are so elegant too – a complete win win. A far cry from low-quality, over-sweet sharp cocktail cans you may have been scarred by before, their three flavours are natural, low calorie and delicious. The Pineapple, mint, Korean ginseng, jasmine and vodka in particular has scooped awards for great balance and fragrance.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 4.6-4.8%
Find here: 6 for £14.95 (watch out for the £5 off pop up too!)

Mirabeau Dry Rosé Gin & Tonic

We’re big fans of Mirabeau, and this gin is based on their top quality rosé, inspired by the flavours of the botanicals from the French Riviera. With a Mediterranean tonic, it is savoury, herbal, and floral with citrus notes. There are touches of red fruit giving a great balanced flavour. Sip and dream like you’re on the Riviera!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5.5%
Find here: £3.55

Portabello Road Gin and Franklin & Sons Natural Indian Tonic Water

Here we have a classic G&T and pretty much the best version of it in a can. Natural flavours of quinine and cinchona bark extract add some depth but ultimately, it’s a straight down-the-line delicious, refreshing, and balanced G&T – in a beautiful can too!

Size: 250ml
ABV: 5.5%
Find here: 6 for £20.50

Soho Street Cocktails Strawberry Daiquiri

Before being offput by the price, note that you get 1.5L for your money and it’s certainly not quantity over quality either. This ready to drink Strawberry Daiquiri is plush with warming Caribbean rum, fresh strawberries, and zippy lime – nothing like the slush puppy style Daiquri you can get. The pouch comes with a handy tap providing ten 150ml servings, perfect for parties.

Size: 1.5L
ABV: 9.5%
Find here: £28.99

Pimentae Tommy's Spicy Margarita

Pre-bottled cocktails don’t get much better than this. Behind that beautiful label is a liquid to back it up. Agave, chilli and lime run wild in this sweet and spicy take on the world’s favourite cocktail and it works so well.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 15%
Find here: £31.39

Whitebox Pocket Negroni Cocktail

Never has a Negroni been so cute. Porter’s Gin, Sweet Vermouth and Bitter Aperitif combine in this harmonious blend of herbal fruity notes. Perfect for picnics or BBQs, but it’s so small that you can just keep it on you for whenever you fancy – ideal.

Size: 100ml
ABV: 21.8%
Find here: £3.95

MOTH Aperitivo Spritz Cocktail

MOTH’s canned cocktails always deliver, and this summery number is no different. The sunny orange is bold with sweetness and underlined with bitterness, the herbs pay homage to its Italian roots and the botanicals of Tarquin’s Cornish gin add fantastic depth. Summer in a can!

Size: 200ml
ABV: 10%
Find here: £3.99

VACAY 

This brand has a small but classic range of cocktails that everyone knows and loves including a margarita, mojito, and paloma. Vacay’s aim is to create cocktails with all natural ingredients and no artificial sweeteners using only the best quality spirits. The drinks are beautiful and smooth without the overly sweet aftertaste so common in canned sips these days. These canned cocktails are also great to use as a base for more complex drinks. We loved adding some chili garnish to the margarita to add some spice. The cans are 330mL and packaged with bright colours, perfect for your social media snaps by the pool!

Size: 330ml
ABV: 5%-6%
Find Here: From £3.99

Marks and Spencer’s New Canned Cocktail range

We all know and love the classic M&S canned cocktail range. The range of typical cocktails even blew up on TikTok during the summer of 2022 due to their smooth taste, higher alcohol content, and low price. This year M&S have decided to up their game and come out with 4 new limited edition flavours: Rose Negroni Spritz, Salted Caramel Espresso Martini, Smoked Pineapple Daiquiri, and Pink Grapefruit Paloma. Each can is a standard cocktail known and loved by all - but with a new and innovative twist. These tins are definitely a must-have for all your upcoming summer picnics in the park!

Size: 150ml
ABV: From 14%
Find Here: From£3.50 (in-store only at the moment)

If you’re looking for some No-Lo drinks to sip in the sun instead, check out these varied beauties.

10 Recommendations for your Eurovision 2023 Drinks Party

On Saturday May 13th, the Grand Final of the year’s most flamboyant night of entertainment takes place. Hosted by the UK in Liverpool on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine, the almighty Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be broadcast to millions across the world.

The official drink is Invivo X Unity Prosecco Rosé which is a lovely expression of fresh strawberries and well worth getting in for the big night. However, if you want some drinks to properly represent each nation as they perform then look no further than these beauties! Let’s begin with the Big 5 who automatically qualify for the final…

UK

Winemaster's Lot English Sparkling Classic Cuvée Brut

There are a few options that celebrate the best of UK drinks, it could be a delicious Scotch or a quintessentially British gin, but we think that using the UK’s entry as a signal to pop open some fizz is best. British bubbles are building quite the prestigious reputation on the international stage, and one of the better value options is this Hampshire sparkler from Bowler & Brolly. The signature English trio of (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier) round off the wine beautifully, with crunchy apple, fresh lime and toasted pistachio poised perfectly. It’s super food-friendly too, so pair it with any light seafood nibbles throughout the night or a slap-up fish and chips.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £19.99

Italy

Negroni Sbagliato

More popular than ever before thanks to a viral TikTok clip, this cocktail is Italy in a glass. The traditional gin is swapped out for Prosecco for a more refreshing and lighter twist on the Negroni... perfect if you’ve got a lot of different drinks and nibbles to get through from the first song to the last. Bellissimo! The distinct bitterness of the Campari requires intensely flavoured food pairings so consider Italy’s saltier foods like prosciutto.

Ingredients
25ml Prosecco
25ml Campari
25ml sweet vermouth
orange slice to garnish

Method
Pour the Campari and vermouth into a glass over ice. Top up with Prosecco and stir gently enough to combine everything without killing off those bubbles. Orange slice for the perfect garnish!

France

Château Tertre De Viaud Côtes De Bourg 2016

There are so many options for France but given Champagne’s price point, we’ve gone for a gorgeous Merlot instead. It’s a bit less robust and fruitier than the country’s other most famous red Cabernet Sauvignon and this Bordeaux blend, in particular, represents incredible value. Red currants and cherries, pleasant minerality and a touch of tobacco on the finish make this a very sophisticated sipper indeed. Bring out some caramelised roasted veg and even the notoriously difficult-to-pair tomatoes and this Merlot will sing. No chance of nil points here!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £10.92

Germany

Schneider Weisse Tap 7 Unser Original

If you want more wine on the cards then German Riesling is very tempting, but to break it up a little you can’t go wrong with a German wheat beer, something they’re known for across the world. This hearty Schneider Weisse is warm with clove and nutmeg, with lovely herbal notes of coriander and a standout lemony honey streak throughout. Very bubbly and with layers upon layers of flavour, it’s more robust than sweet so is also food friendly. Ever since the Romans introduced wheat flour to Germania, pretzels have been made in the area and they’ll provide a welcome switch up of textures as you chomp through Europe’s offerings.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 5.4%
Find here: £2.61

Spain

Sangria

It had to be, didn’t it? If you’re opening a few different red wines from Eurovision’s various entries, then you could use the leftovers of one of the bottles in this to make a small batch just for Spain’s performance! With so many fruits, plenty of ice and even a little brandy, wines take on a new lease of life in the sangria jug and it’s a sign of the summer to come!

Ingredients (for a jug)
750ml good red wine
100ml brandy
200g berries
2 oranges
2 pears
2 lemons

Method:
Chop your fruits and along with your favourite red berries, sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over them. Fill a jug with ice, your fruit, brandy, and red wine. Stir, taste, and add in some sparkling water if it’s a little strong.

Sweden

Flävar

Sweden enter Eurovision 2023 as the outright favourites so it’s only right to have a special drink to mark the most likely victors. Made beside the picturesque Lake Boren in the south of Sweden, Flävar is the smooth and stylish schnapps sweeping the nation. UK drinkers are loving the Swedish-inspired flavours which are currently served at Wetherspoons up and down the country. These should come out with any sweeter options you have like ice cream. Blueberry & Lemon, Lemon Pie, Raspberry & Liquorice, Salted Caramel, Strawberry & Lime… take your pick!

Size: 700ml
ABV: 25%
Find here: £19.99

Australia

Brookie’s Mac

‘Why are Australia in Eurovision?!’ This question echoes around Europe since they took part in 2015. Well, 2015 was supposed to be a one-off because Australia loves Eurovision and has loyally watched it for 30 years, as well as being part of the Commonwealth and having plenty of ties to Europe. They impressed so much though, that they’ve returned every year since as a mark of Eurovision’s bridge building. To represent their entry, we want to shout out Brookie’s Mac from the legendary Byron Bay. This is a macadamia liqueur using locally sourced ingredients with incredible velvet-smooth rich and nutty flavours that goes down a storm with anyone that tries it.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 23%
Find here: £35.24

Greece

Manousakis Single Variety Tsikoudia

This is similar to grappa-style drinks if you’ve ever had those, but don’t be put off if it wasn’t a good experience because quality varies massively in this area. Hailing from Crete, Tsikoudia (sometimes referred to as Raki) is made from distilled pomace, which is the remains of the grapes after winemaking pressing. The grapes here are Rousanne which provide great creaminess, rich and intense grape flavour and touches of green apple and lime. Our very own Colin was blown away by Manousakis’ expression and as a historic drink of Greece, it’s well worth trying something different! After all, Eurovision is all about celebrating difference!

Size: 500ml
ABV: 40%
Find here: £20.79 (usually £31.99)

Croatia

Pelinkovac

Pelinkovac has been drunk in Croatia for centuries and even made its way into the court of Napoleon III of France. Best known for its use in absinthe, the key ingredient in this bittersweet liqueur is wormwood which when accompanied by aromatic herbs creates a very natural and distinct liquid indeed. If you like Jägermeister then this will be a winner. It’s best enjoyed when served extremely chilled with a little lemon and plenty of ice.

Size: 700ml
ABV: 28%
Find here: £25.24

Netherlands

Jenever - Ketel 1 Graanjenever

Jenever distilling in Holland can be traced back to the 15th century making it one of the oldest distilled spirits in the world. It became hugely popular but fell into obscurity during the 20th century, however, in 2008 it gained an AOC like other spirits, limiting production areas massively. Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength. Any of you Dutch speakers will know that jenever means juniper. Now, whilst Jenever is juniper led, botanically rich and clear, it includes whisky-like triple distillation and maltiness so it’s a fascinating hybrid of the two! Better known for vodka, Ketel actually began life as jenever produces and this malty expression is rich with spiced fruits.

Size: 1L
ABV: 35%
Find here: £25.94

If you’d rather have a gin for Mae Muller and the UK then check out these delicious Great British choices!

Is This the Definitive Margarita for Cinco de Mayo?

Every May 5th, the anniversary of a crucial Mexican victory over the French is celebrated across the country, and indeed wherever Mexicans have settled around the world. In 2022, a staggering 126 million litres of tequila were consumed in the US during Cinco de Mayo, and with the adored agave nectar increasing in popularity every year, you can expect an even higher number this year!

To celebrate an iconic part of the Mexican calendar, surely, it’s only right to make an equally iconic part of Mexican mixology… the world’s favourite cocktail… the Margarita.

818 Tequila, famously involving Kendall Jenner, made its way over to the UK only recently and has already become many tequila drinkers’ go-to tipple. With smooth caramel and vanilla notes, their award-winning 818 818 Reposado is perfect for the sophisticated and sweet Margarita required for the big day, so here’s 818’s very own recipe including a delicious tajin kick that we love:

Ingredients
60ml/2oz 818 Tequila Reposado
15ml/0.5oz Premium Orange Liqueur
22ml/0.75oz Fresh Lime Juice
15ml/0.5oz Agave Syrup (50% Agave Nectar, 50% Water)
Tajin Salt

Method
Simply combine everything except the salt and shake hard and fast with ice until you can feel the chill. Rub either an orange slice or lime juice so along the rim and roll it in the salt so that it sticks. Then simply strain and pour over fresh ice! Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

Is This Bueno Blend the Ultimate Easter Cocktail?

Let us introduce you to Kyrö, an award-winning distillery producing innovative rye spirits over in Finland. Now, if you saw our, ‘12 Cream Liqueurs Perfect for Sipping This Winter’ recommendations, you’ll know that their Dairy Cream is one of our absolute favourites.

It’s made with local milk and cream as well as their special rye whisky, creating a blend of vanilla-forward indulgence with a delicious subtle nuttiness. Impressively, it is also lactose and gluten-free! If it wasn’t a dessert in a glass already, then wait until you hear about the new Kyrö Bueno Cocktail…

The Kyrö team have partnered up with creative Shoreditch collective The Umbrella Project and the renowned Lily Vanilli’s bakery to release an Easter milk punch that gives grown-ups something to get very excited about. Inspired by the well-known Bueno chocolate, it is a delightfully opulent swirl of rich chocolate and velvety cream, hazelnut eau-de-vie and a backbone of elegant Cognac bringing everything together. Think Kinder Bueno in a glass but with way more oomph!

Everything you need to make this mouth-watering mix is included in the Kyrö Bueno Easter Cocktail Kit, as well as a lovely looking Discount Suit Company rocks glass and three exclusive Lily Vanilli ‘mini-cakes’ for the tastiest garnish we’ve ever come across!

The set will be available throughout April so if you’re a touch too late for Easter don’t stress! You can purchase this almighty Easter treat for £20 through The Umbrella Project here, which includes:

1 x 330ml Kyrö Bueno bottled cocktail made up of Kyrö Dairy Cream Liqueur, Hazelnut eau-de-vie, VSOP Cognac and Swiss Chocolate Liqueur
1 x Discount Suit Company rocks glass
3 x Lily Vanilli mini-cake garnish

For more cream liqueur goodness, why not have a look at these stunning chocolate cream liqueurs?

How To Create the Perfect Home Bar

For any accomplished drinker or host, a well-stocked home bar is the perfect next step. Once you’ve added your touch of personality to the design, it might just become your favourite piece of décor in your home! Not only that, but it makes every drinks gathering feel special as you blow guests away manning the bar and offering whatever their heart desires, from classy short serves to extravagant cocktails.

The best thing is that you’ll probably have a lot of the stuff needed already! It’s just a case of setting it up in one spot and filling any gaps in your inventory with those home bar classics… and luckily, we’re here to guide you on exactly what those are and how to get started.

From the off, we should say that when it comes to your home bar inventory, it’s really a case of how far you want to go. If you’ve got the enthusiasm, time, and money to stock every item listed on this page then of course that would be a next level bar, but if you’re limiting yourself then just go for your favourites and the most widely used… which we’ll point out along the way!

What spirits do you need in a home bar?

Where else to start but the foundation spirits? These will be the heart of almost everything you pull together after all. There’s no need to splash the cash on top-shelf bottles across the board though! If you know that you and your friends like gin but no one drinks vodka for example, then stock your favourite bottle and even some other types of gin and just include a budget vodka option, or skip over it altogether. Remember, mixologists start small and master a few favourite cocktails before expanding further afield!

Having said that, ideally, you want to be able to provide guests with everything so stock up on as many of these base spirits as possible:

Vodka: It’s used in more cocktails than any other spirit. Say no more.
Tequila: The Margarita was the most popular cocktail in the world last year and tequila is getting more and more popular every year.
Gin: It’s probably the most popular spirit in the UK over the past couple of years and it’s always handy to be able to pull together a G&T! Ideally, you’ll have at least a couple of different types but begin with one.
Whisky: There’s a lot of variety here so aim to include a Bourbon, a Scotch, and ideally another bottle of your choice.
Rum: Rum is generally more affordable than the others so it’s good to have a light (Daiquiri, Mojito and many more) and dark rum (tropical cocktail essential) available.

What modifiers and liqueurs do you need in a home bar?

These are drinks that are cropping up so often in cocktail recipes that you won’t regret having most if not all of them there when you need them.

Amaretto: Sweet almond liqueur that’s used in a variety of simple and fancy cocktails.
Dry and Sweet Vermouth: Essential. Manhattans, Negronis, Martinis… you’ve gotta have it.
Orange liqueur (e.g. Grand Marnier): Always popping up and elevates many cocktails so it’s a must.
Coffee liqueur: Advised because of the popularity of Espresso Martini alone.
Bitters: A dash or two of these really elevates your cocktails to dazzle guests, and they last for years so it’s worth buying at the beginning. We’d get Angostura orange bitters as a priority, but Peychaud’s and vanilla bitters like Bob’s are great little options too.
Absinthe: Not an essential, but it does appear in cocktails with oomph a fair bit, and it’s a lively option to bring out if the night calls for it!
Garnishes: Lemon and lime may be the most used ingredients in the world of cocktails so make sure you’re well in stocked in the citrus department. Behind those would be oranges, cherries, edible flowers, and herbs that make for magical final touches if you’d like!

What wine do you need in a home bar?

To be honest, this depends massively on whether you’re a wine person or not. If you are, then you’ll know what you like and you may rarely touch any other drinks from your bar. If not, then you might just want something to offer guests, so find out what they like, and store it in a cool and dark place.

If you’re thinking about what to get here are some ideas:

Red: Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are very popular all over the world, but full-bodied Malbec and Shiraz are the most popular in the UK.
White: Crisp whites like Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc are the UK’s favourite white wine type.
Rosé: It’s growing in popularity and has been for years so there’s a good chance it will be someone’s preferred choice, especially in summer.
Sparkling: Brits absolutely love fizz and drank 1/3 of the world’s Prosecco in 2017! Also, it’s traditional to have some Champagne ready to go if a celebration is in order, but Cava and Crémant are fantastic more affordable alternatives.

What beer and cider do you need in a home bar?

People often skip over beer and cider when it comes to home bars because they don’t have the elegance of a glass of wine or complexity of a fun cocktail, but if a home bar is all about providing the best drinking experience at home then you need to be able to offer guests what they want, right?

People absolutely love a crisp, cold beer or cider. There are so many brands and types that you can’t be expected to have something for everyone, but you can’t go wrong stocking up on some bottles of chilled apple cider, light easy-drinking beer, and IPAs.

What mixers do you need in a home bar?

You’ll probably have all the mixers in that you already enjoy, but because they’re often quite affordable these are some that it’s best to stock up on. You might have once associated mixers with simply overwhelming a cheap and nasty spirit, but now they can take a leading role.

Ice: It’s the most used ingredient in cocktails and short serves and there are lots of different ways you can buy or make it but make sure clean and fresh water is used because it’d be a crime to spoil a delicious cocktail with nasty ice.
Essential juices: As mentioned above, lime and lemon juice are vital, but also orange, pineapple, apple and grapefruit juice (in that order). Fresh is always best but that isn’t practical across the board, so we’ll leave that down to personal preference!
Syrups: Plain syrup is an ever-present sweetener that you’ll see in recipes across our site, and it’s so simple to make. It’s just heating water and sugar in an equal ratio! Once you’ve mastered that you can easily infuse it with your favourite flavours. Craft distilleries also sell some amazing versions!
Pop: It may also be worth having some super familiar fizzy pop like Lemonade or Cola behind the bar too - they’re the most popular mixers in bars across the country after all!

Is glassware actually important?

Having proper glassware is one of the main things that take your home bar to the next level. It will do more to make it feel like an authentic bar than anything else and help create an exciting tasting experience.

Don’t get us wrong though, you absolutely don’t need to go around spending the earth on hundreds of cocktail glass variations made from hand-etched crystal. Plenty of stores stock affordable ranges that cover the fundamentals:

Rocks glasses/glass tumblers: Perfect for spirits and spirit-forward serves
Martini glass: Iconic.
Wine glasses: White wine glasses tend to be smaller than reds so if you’re into wine or are expecting people who are then you could get two sets but it’s not essential.
Champagne flutes: They’re handy for all of the fizzy serves and let’s be honest… bubbly looks strange in anything else!
Tall glasses/Collins glasses: The go-to for more cocktails with multiple mixers.
Lowball glasses: Perfect for whisky mainly, but also muddled ingredients and neat serves. If your bar is going to be full of whisky though, you might want to look at the unique Glencairn glass that we used during The Three Drinkers do Scotch Whisky TV show!

What basic tools and equipment do you need in your home bar?

There are some super basic pieces of equipment that you’ll find yourself reaching for every other cocktail that complete the home bar look wonderfully. Kitchen items can be used for a few of them, especially as you find your feet, but after a while, you’ll want to upgrade to the real thing. It’s also worth noting that most decent ‘Beginner Cocktail Kits’ will include most if not all of what you’ll need, rather than buying individually.

Muddler: It just makes it a lot easier and quicker to muddle – it’s that simple.
Strainer: This is an essential that will add smoothness and elegance to all of your creations, particularly if you’re using fresh juice.
Bar spoon: This makes it easier to mix and is also needed to layer spirits with different viscosities to create those beautiful blends.
Jigger: We all know the perils of ‘home measures’ so this just helps to measure and pour alcohol without going over the top. It also makes it easier to balance out cocktails.
Cocktail shaker: Of course! If you invite people around for cocktails then they’re going to want to see this come out at some point!

How should you set up a home bar?

Once your stock is all sorted, you need to decide what format your home bar is going to take. This completely depends on the space available in your home, the money you wish to spend on setting it up, and how much you plan to use your home bar!

You may not have something far off the minimal setup already. This could be a countertop that’s nicely set up with trays, glass racks, corner racks, etc., a bar cart to wheel out on summer days, or a table adapted for bar use. As long as there’s somewhere to store ingredients, glasses, and a space to work, you can easily make it look like a bar by stamping your own personality on the design. Paint, mirrors, plants, lights, you name it – sprinkles of magic soon bring the home bar to life.

However, we’ll all be familiar with the range of in-built home bars. If you have the space and you’re committed, this is the way to go. If you have a spare corner of the room or even outside space, then it can be surprisingly simple to install a basic wooden bar. Alternatively, you can splash out on the more extravagant setups we’ve seen everywhere from Instagram to Come Dine With Me.

If you’re looking for specific drinks from each category to stock up your home bar then you’ll find guides to the best options across our website.

If you happen to love rum, then you’re in luck because we have more specific rum products that will be perfect for you here. You’ll use a lot of them whatever you drink so it’s worth checking it out.

One Drink Three Ways: The Three Drinkers Limited Edition Red Silkie Irish Whiskey

One Drink, Three Ways is the signature feature by The Three Drinkers. Join The Three Drinkers’ Helena, Aidy and Colin as they take one bottle and create a trio of phenomenal serves that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. From rums and whiskies to gins and wine styles, the three help you get the most out of your glass. It’s time to get liquid on lips.

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If you haven’t heard by now then let us be the first to inform you that we’ve made our own Irish whiskey! A collaboration with the amazing Sliabh Liag Distillers in County Donegal in Ireland, it’s a celebration of the historic, Irish whiskey style as well as our love for fine wine!

The Three Drinkers Limited Edition, Red Silkie Irish Whiskey, to give it its full name, is finished for six months in red wine barrels hailing from the iconic Clos l’Eglise in Pomerol, Bordeaux. The result is a rich and velvety whiskey with notes of dried fruit, baking spice and a whiff of smoke that is beautifully rounded out by ripe, red fruit coming from the wine casks. £1 from every bottle also goes to mental health charity My Black Dog, so if you would like to buy a bottle and want to try some well-suited serves, check out our three favourites below.

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Helena’s Choice: The Muse

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The sweet, honeyed flavour of the vermouth emphasises the candied orange and caramel tones in Red Silkie, and the herbal notes play off the absinthe rinse nicely too. With those gorgeous dried red fruits, gentle smoke and warm spice from the bitters entwining, this is a layered and lovable concoction that I really think brings out the best in our whiskey! Method: Chill a coupe glass with a big chunk of ice. Once cooled, rinse the glass with Absinthe and discard it. Add the remaining ingredients into a mixing glass with ice and stir until they are cool and combined before straining into the chilled coupe glass.

The Muse

Recipe

50ml The Legendary Red Silkie, Three Drinkers Limited Edition Cask

50ml Cocchi Americano Italian vermouth

Absinthe (to rinse the glass with)

2 x dashes of Angostura bitters

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Aidy’s Choice: Maple Whiskey Sour

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I love a whiskey sour, and this particular serve is such a pick-me up. Every sip is silky smooth and the ripe fruits and spices of the Red Silkie come through deliciously with the zippy lemon and sweet syrup. Method: Add all ingredients into a shaker. Dry shake them (without ice) first and then add ice and wet shake. Finally, strain them into your cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon wheel or nutmeg.

Maple Whiskey Sour

Recipe

20ml Fresh Lemon

50ml The Legendary Red Silkie, Three Drinkers Limited Edition Cask

10ml Maple Syrup

1 x Dash of Chocolate Bitters

1 x Egg White

Garnish: finely grated nutmeg (optional)

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Colin’s Choice: Irish Mule

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I just wanted a little ginger beer to bring out the subtle fruity spices in Red Silkie and allow it to be the unapologetic star of the show. Subtle sweetness that’s never overbearing and bubbles fizzing on the tongue make this a triumphantly delicious and invigorating sipper indeed. Method: Fill your glass to the top with ice. Pour the double measure of whiskey into it and then fill it to the top with a premium ginger beer. Stir very gently up and down to combine without killing all the bubbles.

Irish Mule

Recipe

60ml The Legendary Red Silkie, Three Drinkers Limited Edition Cask

Ginger beer to taste (try Franklin & Sons)

ABV: 46%
Size: 700ml
Find here: £49.99

You can order The Three Drinkers new Irish whiskey here!

We’re always mixing up new cocktails at Three Drinkers HQ, so make sure to check out the rest of our recommendations here!

LPM Restaurant and Bar

LPM is already notorious for its lovely French and Mediterranean cuisine. Now with their new cocktail menu inspired by Jean Cocteau, there is even more reason to book a table at this iconic spot. 

The cocktail menu is beautifully presented in a red cover and tells the story of the French poet. There are four “chapters” in this story,  each exhibiting a  different style of cocktail to choose from - mainly aperitifs, fruity cocktails, savoury cocktails, and dessert drinks. Each drink also has a story to it, and one could sit in silence and read this menu for their entire stay at LPM! 

Our eyes were immediately drawn to the Lettre à Coco. This cocktail is an homage to Jean’s friendship with the legendary Coco Chanel, using the classic Chanel No. 5 as inspiration. The delicate Champagne based cocktail also uses jasmine, bergamot and rose to add some beautiful floral notes. The presentation is also exquisite, the crystal coupe glass being delivered with a love letter sprayed with Chanel No. 5 to make you feel like Chanel herself.

For dessert, the Hommage cocktail works a treat - with cognac and cherry brandy. The cocktail is garnished with a gold dusted cherry for the perfect display. 

As you can see, the cocktail menu is truly a masterpiece, and combined with lovely food and spectacular service, there is no reason to put off visiting LPM. The staff are warm and welcoming, and the barmen know the cocktail menu inside-and-out and are able to give you the perfect recommendation based on your food choice and your usual go-to drink. 

Life is too short for mediocre cocktails. Do yourself and your tastebuds a favour and go give this experience a try.

LPM is great for a special occasion with someone special.

Ambience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Value:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Range:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: 10/10

Address: 53-54 Brook's Mews, London W1K 4EG