7 Daiquiri Twists to Try Right Now

Rum, lime, and sugar – the holy trinity that creates one of the world’s favourite cocktails, the Daiquiri. So simple, right? Well, you might be surprised at how easy it is to get wrong. Or maybe not, if you’ve been subject to a sickly-sweet slush puppy version before.

The Daiquiri may well have been inspired by the Cuban Canchanchara cocktail, with its rum, lime, and honey ingredients, but it is American mining engineer Jennings Cox, based in Cuba at the time, who invented it at the turn of the 20th century.

With the U.S. exploiting Cuba’s abundance of iron at the time, many Americans spent time in the nearby town of Daiquiri. One such man was Jennings, who saw the Cubans mixing rum and coffee and started experimenting with his own inventory, eventually discovering the deliciousness of rum, lime, and sugar.

And once he discovered it, so did the U.S Navy and as soon as it landed on American shores and spread to Washington D.C and New York, it became a mainstay of American bars as well as the favourite cocktail for Ernest Hemingway and John F. Kennedy.

So, if you’ve never taken to it before then we’ll help you master the original, and if it’s still not clicking with you then don’t worry because we’ve got a selection of tasty twists for you to try!

The Original Daiquiri

The Daiquiri has somewhat lost its way a little, developing a reputation for overly sweet slush with sickly fruits masking any rum in the mix. If this is your idea of the cocktail, then this is the recipe to try first. Getting back to purity and simplicity, it’s simply fresh lime juice, a little syrup, and good quality rum at the centre of it all. The key thing is getting those ratios right for your personal taste, so easy on the sugar.

Ingredients
60ml rum (Light or White, like Havana Club 3-year-old rum)
20ml lime juice
20ml sugar syrup
Lime twist (garnish)

 Method
Pour all the ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes. Shake well but do not blend! Simply strain into a chilled cocktail glass and add the garnish – voila!

The Modern Daiquiri

Traditional recipes call for a single rum, usually white, but what you’ll often find in many top bars now is a blend of two or three. The different rums carry different bodies and flavours, so the white rum injects vibrance and tang, whilst the darker blends and somebody and richness. Okay, so this isn’t the craziest twist but if you’ve always enjoyed Daiquiris at swanky bars but nowhere else, then this might be why!

Ingredients
30ml white rum (e.g., Havana Club 3YO)
30ml Jamaican or demerara rum (e.g., Appleton 12YO)
20ml lime juice
20ml sugar syrup
Lime twist (garnish)

Method
The same as the original, simply shake everything except the lime with ice and strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass!

Strawberry Daiquiri

Probably the most famous strawberry cocktail, there’s a reason that you might be more likely to find this than the original. If you use ripe, fresh strawberries then you create a more fruity and less tangy twist on the original that’s perfect for summertime. See how sweet your berries are before adding the syrup!

Ingredients
60ml rum (light ideally, e.g., Havana Club 3YO)
50g strawberries
20ml lime juice
15ml syrup
Strawberry or lime (optional garnish)

Method
Setting up the blender is the hardest thing about this cocktail. Simply add everything in with ice and double strain over the glass. Use crushed ice to make your blender’s job that bit easier. Lime or strawberry for garnish. Delish.

Coconut Daiquiri

If you’ve never tried this, then you’re in for a tropical treat. The rich and creamy coconut creates a silky mouthfeel and moreish texture, pairing deliciously with the classic Daiquiri elements. A little intensity, a little tang, a little sweetness, and a lot to love.

Ingredients
60ml white rum
30ml fresh lime juice
45ml coconut cream
15ml simple syrup

Method
Shake all your ingredients vigorously with ice for no less than 30 seconds and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Lime or coconut flakes would make the perfect garnish, and of course serving in a coconut shell would be the dream.

The Hemingway Daiquiri

The American novelist loved ordering Daiquiri during his Havana hotel stay in the 30s, but he did have feedback for the El Floridita bartender – ‘double the rum and lose the sugar’. Suffice to say, his version hasn’t taken off at all, but the evolved version has. Maraschino liqueur and grapefruit provide some of the lost sweetness as well as some fruity vibrance. 

 Ingredients
60ml white rum
20ml maraschino liqueur
20ml grapefruit juice
30ml lime juice
Lime or grapefruit (garnish)

Method
Yet again, add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with some ice and shake well. Strain into a glass of crushed ice and voila, the Hemingway.

Cucumber and Basil Daiquiri

Step into the garden of Daiquiri delights with this fresh and herbaceous twist. The Basil Cucumber Daiquiri combines the crispness of cucumber with the aromatic charm of basil, resulting in a cocktail that's unparalleled in its refreshment and natural fragrance.

 Ingredients
60ml white rum
30ml fresh lime juice
60ml cucumber juice
10ml basil-infused simple syrup
Basil leaves and cucumber slice for garnish

Method
A regular syrup is a 1:1 ratio of water to sugar, so all you need to do is add a few basil leaves into the mix whilst it’s cooking to infuse that herby flavour. Remove them at the end! Once you’ve peeled the cucumber, blend everything with ice and strain (possibly double strain) over a chilled glass. Reinvigorating and unbelievably refreshing.

Spicy Daiquiri

This fiery and invigorating twist isn’t for everyone, but if you like it then you’ll love it. The spicy kick of jalapeño and the zesty zing of ginger creates a super lively cocktail that you certainly will not forget. The warmth and gentle spices in the rum will be brought to the fore, and the refreshing lime juice tames the whole mix down.

Ingredients
60ml white rum
30ml fresh lime juice
10ml ginger syrup
2-3 slices of jalapeño (adjust to your spice preference)
Jalapeño slice (garnish)

Method
Shake everything for a good old while to infuse the spices, and strain into a chilled glass – super simple to make, and exciting to taste. You could use Sriracha sauce instead for a slightly different spice profile – but go easy!

If you’ve got the taste for cocktail experimentations then check out our delicious Piña Colada twists here, from the Chocolada to the Caramelized Banana Colada!

10 Easy Drinks to Make for Your Next Dinner Party

No dinner party is complete without something delicious to drink. Whether you’re going full out and aiming to win Come Dine With Me, or just having a few friends over, you’ll want something eye catching, tasty and easy to make. With all that food to make and the house to tidy, the last thing you need is to spend hours on drinks as well.

So, get your best glasses, pitchers, and punchbowls out because here are our 10 easy drinks to impress your dinner party guests with!

Elderflower Cooler

This is truly one of the most refreshing cocktails you could conjure up for your party. Elderflower is as popular as it’s ever been, and the simplicity of it with the gin and sparkling water makes it oh so easy to prepare.

Top Tip: If you’re lucky enough to have elderflower gin at hand, then you won’t need the cordial too. We love elderflower but having all of that could be overboard!

Ingredients (for 4)
2 thyme sprigs
2 rosemary sprigs
50m elderflower cordial
150ml elderflower liqueur
150ml gin
330ml sparkling water
Edible flowers (garnish)

Method
Fill a jug with the cordial, liqueur, gin, a handful of ice cubes and stir until thoroughly chilled. Pour into champagne flutes, top up with the soda and decorate with the herb sprigs and edible flowers. Enjoy!

Top Tip: If you have time, it looks super cool if you freeze the Thyme and Rosemary in the ice cubes beforehand.

SANGRIA

A fruity jug of sangria on a hot day is hard to beat, but we think it’s just too nice to be ignored unless the sun is shining.  We say throw the calendar out and bring the sunshine indoors because if you’re partying with fans of red wine, there really isn’t anything better to be in the middle of the table.

Ingredients (for 4)
750ml good red wine
100ml brandy
200g berries
2 oranges
2 pears
2 lemons

Method
Chop two oranges, two pears, two lemons, 200g of your favourite red berries and dust them with sugar and cinnamon. Fill a jug with ice, your fruits, 100ml of brandy and 750ml of red wine. Stir, taste, and add in a little triple sec if you want it stronger, or some sparkling water for the opposite.

Top Tip: Try to leave your fruit mix for at least an hour in the fridge so it really takes on the sugar and cinnamon flavouring. If you forget, then it really doesn’t matter. It’s Sangria. It’s still amazing.

RHUBARB & CUSTARD COCKTAIL

Okay, stick with us here because this one is slightly more technical but still really simple for you to make at home. With a backbone of vodka, syrupy rhubarb and yep, you probably guessed it, advocaat, your guests will definitely love this if they’re fans of the dessert.

Ingredients
100ml vodka
100ml rhubarb syrup
(85g caster sugar + 300g rhubarb)
1 length rhubarb (garnish)
30ml advocaat
75ml lemonade

Method
First, the rhubarb syrup. Heat the sugar gently in a pan with 75ml of water. Before it begins to bubble, add your chopped rhubarb. Simmer for 5 minutes and sieve over a bowl. Boil this again for 2 minutes until syrupy and you’re done. Now, shake the vodka and rhubarb syrup with ice and pour into glasses. Finally, you need to mix or whisk advocaat and lemonade. Slowly drizzle this into the glasses over an upturned spoon and you’ll see a stunning division of the two mixtures.

Top Tip: For a fancy garnish, make small shreds of rhubarb using a peeler and dunk them into icy water– they’ll curl up like magic - Rhubarbus Garnishio! (I haven’t seen Harry Potter in a while, sorry.)

MEXICAN MULE

Tequila and lime are a match made in heaven, but it turns out that ginger beer is a welcome addition to their relationship. Staggeringly simple this one, it’s a tequila-based version of a Moscow Mule. Easy to make and once you taste, you’ll realise it’s even easier to drink!

Ingredients (for 4)
240ml tequila
50ml lime juice
40ml agave syrup/sugar syrup
90ml good quality ginger beer
Lime (garnish)

Method
Add the tequila, lime juice and syrup to an ice filled cocktail shaker and shake, shake, shake until you can feel the chill. Strain into an ice filled glass and top up with ginger beer. Garnish with a wedge of lime and enjoy! Sombrero optional.

WHISKEY HOT CHOCOLATE

Perfect for staying cosy outside or as a nightcap, the boozy hot choc is too good to be just a novelty. You can make this with milk or dark chocolate, or simply hot chocolate powder, but we’re going for white chocolate for added beauty and indulgence.

Ingredients (for 4)
400ml milk
180ml whiskey
400g white chocolate
2tbsp vanilla essence

Method
 Slowly heat the milk and essence in a pan and add the chocolate until it’s completely melted. At that point, stir in the whiskey and pour into mugs. Star anise sat on top completes the warming image and provides a very subtle liquorice-y flavour. It divides opinion though, so check with your guests first! They might prefer marshmallows or grated chocolate which also accompany the drink brilliantly.

WHITE WINTER COSMOPOLITAN

This wintery spin on the classic Cosmo is just what guests will want to see as they come in from the cold. White cranberries are just harvested a little earlier than red cranberries, but still the same fruit with the same tartness. The familiar Cosmo we love, but in its winter outfit!

Ingredients (for 4)
180ml vodka (preferably citrus)
60ml triple sec
120ml white cranberry juice
A dash of lime
Berries (garnish)

Method
Cocktail shakers at the ready. Thrown in your vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, ice, and a dash of lime juice for added freshness. Shake well and pour into martini glasses. Finish with berries on the rim for the quintessential winter Cosmo experience.

Top Tip: A light dusting of icing sugar on the berries around the rim really does wonders for the wintery look.

MAN O’WAR

Named after one of the great American racehorses, this cocktail is also a winner. If your party is demanding something a little (or a lot) stronger, then the Man O’War is ideal.

Ingredients (for 4)
180ml Bourbon
60ml triple sec (preferably Cointreau)
60ml sweet vermouth
Juice of 1 lemon
Tablespoon of sugar syrup (optional)
Cherry (garnish)

Method
Shake plenty of ice, bourbon, triple sec, sweet vermouth, and the juice of a whole lemon. Shake until you feel the chill, and taste. The ratios can be tough to get right for this one, so add in syrup if you want more sweetness. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and voila, a real showstopper!

Top Tip: If it packs too much of a punch then serve over crushed ice instead so it’s a little less potent.

FRENCH 75

Named after a French World War One gun, this is another hard hitter. However, with gin, bubbly, fresh lemon, and sugar, this drink is a lot more welcoming than the name implies. For us, dinner party drinks are all about trying something a bit different, and the partnership of gin and Champagne is a surprising hit.

Ingredients (for 4)
100ml gin
50ml fresh lemon juice
50ml syrup
300ml Champagne (to taste)
Lemon twist (garnish)

Method
Combine all the ingredients except the champagne into a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a champagne flute, then top up with the bubbles. Add a twist of orange for garnish. Just like that, you’re in Paris!

SUPERMAN SHOT

We don’t usually include shots in these kinds of lists, but who knows what direction a dinner party might head in and if nothing else, the Superman shot is a stunning eyecatcher. Also, you can pick whatever colours you want to suit your occasion!

Ingredients
10ml cherry liqueur
10ml banana liqueur
10ml blue vodka

Method
Completely straightforward except a little bit of technique to avoid mixing. Pour the cherry first, and then the banana over the back of a spoon. The banana will sink to the bottom. Finish with the vodka over the spoon to top it off. Simple and adaptable but the kind of little touch that makes a dinner party feel special.

COQUITO

No Christmas in Puerto Rico would be complete without a cold coquito, and after trying this sweet and creamy concoction, you may be saying the same about your future dinner parties.  

Ingredients (for 4)
250ml spiced rum
300ml coconut milk
200ml coconut cream
300g condensed milk
250g evaporated milk
0.5tsp vanilla extract
1 medium cinnamon stick
Pinch of ground cinnamon and nutmeg (garnish)

Method
Don’t be offput by the relatively lengthy ingredients because it’s just a case of lumping them all in a blitzer, except the cinnamon stick which you add before refrigerating for at least 2 hours. Give it a good stir before serving and pour small amounts over ice. Sprinkle nutmeg and cinnamon over the top and it looks sublime. Feliz Navidad!

Plenty there to tickle your fancy and get you thinking about what you might serve at your next dinner party, or even bring to someone else’s- don’t outdo them too much though ;).

If you want to serve some stone cold classics then go here for a reminder of how to assemble the 10 most popular cocktails in the world.

Or, perhaps you’re having a Halloween themed dinner party in October, in witch case (pun very much intended), check out these 5 easy to make spooky cocktails!

Oh, and make sure to let us know if you try any of these at your next party, or if you have any go-to’s of your own that always go down a smash.

Grand Marnier Cocktails as featured in The Three Drinkers in Cognac

Episode Two of The Three Drinkers in Cognac sees Aidy, Helena and Eddy explore the second most famous drink of the region, Grand Marnier, pulling together some of their own cocktail creations in the process.

Aromatic dried orange peel is the heart of Grand Marnier, and more specifically Citrus Bigaradia, a delicately perfumed bitter orange picked before it has become fully ripe to gather those intense and highly concentrated oils. Distilled six times over and blended with sugar syrup and cognac and the gorgeous liqueur is complete!

So, which Grand Marnier cocktails did The Three Drinkers create to impress mixology extraordinaire Tiffanie Barriere?

The Grand Margarita

Showing them how it’s done first though, Tiffanie shook up the Grand Margarita. This is one of the most elegantly rounded cocktails you can make, with each ingredient bringing salty, sweet, bitter, and sour tastes. The Grand Marnier brings so much more depth than the usual syrup and the balance struck here is perfect, with the added texture from the Grand Marnier making every sip that bit more satisfying.

Ingredients
30ml Grand Marnier
30ml Premium Tequila
20ml Fresh Lime juice
Ice
Fresh lime to garnish
Salt for rim
Glass: Tumbler

Method
Cut and rub the lime around the rim of a glass. Add salt to a plate, tip the glass upside and rim with the salt. Next, combine the Grand Marnier, Tequila and lime juice in a shaker with ice and wet shake for 30 seconds. Strain into the tumbler over ice and garnish with a wheel of fresh lime.

Old Fashioned Persian (Eddy)

Introducing the winner of the mini-contest (sorry Aidy and Helena!), it’s Eddy who envisioned the orange flavouring of Grand Marnier with an Old Fashioned but wanted to add a touch of his Iranian heritage so included rose water and chai tea for this Old Fashioned Persian. There are light floral notes, warming spices and the silky sweet citrus of Grand Marnier typing everything together wonderfully.

Ingredients
30ml Grand Marnier
15ml Rosewater
15ml Chai tea infusion
Fresh lime
Orange for garnish
Glass: Tumbler

Method
Cut a slice of orange and rub it around the rim of a tumbler. Next, build the cocktail in the glass, combining the Grand Marnier, rosewater and chai over ice. Add a squeeze of lime and stir well. Garnish with an orange twist. 

Orange You Happy To See Me (Aidy)

Aidy set out to celebrate the region around him, combining not just the two of the most celebrated drinks of the region, but local fresh orange juice, local honey, and even local eggs. It’s the region of Cognac in a glass! 

Ingredients
50ml Cognac
25ml Grand Marnier
20ml Orange Juice
10ml Fresh Honey
1 Egg white
Glass: Martini glass

Method
Combine all ingredients bar the egg white into a shaker without ice and shake for 30 seconds. Next, add the egg white and ice and wet shake for another 30 seconds to activate the egg white. Strain into a Martini glass and garnish with orange peel. 

Le Grand St Clement (Helena)

Classic and simple, the gorgeous fresh fruit juice is apparent here straight away with the richer oomph from the Grand Marnier and Cognac following. Ever the oenophile, Helena tops up the glass with Champagne adding a crisp, bubbly and refreshing quality to an already delicious mix.

Ingredients
25ml Grand Marnier
15ml Fresh Lemon
15ml Fresh Orange
15 ml Cognac
Top up with Champagne
Glass: Chilled flute

Method
Combine the Grand Marnier, fruit juices and Cognac in a shaker with ice and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled flute half way then top up with Champagne and garnish with a thin orange slice.

Keep your eyes peeled for plenty more discoveries and cocktails from the series and if your wondering which cognac you should use, check this article out.

5 Stunning Cocktails Made with Chocolate Bitters

We like to picture bitters as the seasoning of the drinks world. Salt and pepper are in almost everything we cook, and just like them, bitters can add that touch of something to a cocktail to take it to that next level.

Bitters actually began as a medicinal product, with companies like Angostura infusing spirits with bitter ingredients like bark and certain herbs. These days you can find all kinds (like chocolate, which is dark and rich rather than bitter), and because they’re so intense and concentrated, you’ll usually find them in small bottles with teeny tiny droppers so they’re great value for money.

You can read more about the different kinds of bitters here, including a delicious chocolate flavour from Fee Brothers! For now though, let’s go through 5 tasty cocktails that show off exactly how fantastic chocolate bitters can be in mixology!

The Left Hand – for the bourbon lovers

The Left Hand is an evolution of the Prohibition-era Boulevardier, which is basically a bourbon Negroni. Without knowing the history of the cocktail, Sam Ross at Milk & Honey created something similar using chocolate bitters, which pull the cocktail into an exciting new direction. They round off the spiced smoothness of the bourbon and vermouth, temper the Campari sharpness and add some indulgent complexity to the mix.

Ingredients
45ml bourbon
20ml Campari
20ml sweet vermouth
4 drops chocolate bitters

Method
Add everything to a mixing glass, stir well with ice and strain! A cherry makes the perfect garnish but it’s not the end of the world if you sip as it is!

The Swizzle – for the rum lovers

There are a lot of variations of this, some leaning towards coffee, others whiskey, and others rum! The rich coffee, the caramelly notes from the rum, and the cocoa bitters all work so well together with the creamy sweetness of the coconut cream to add a different texture. Lime juice brightens and lifts the mix-up for a reinvigorating and rich profile that will definitely leave you wanting more.

Ingredients
45ml dark rum
20ml coffee liqueur/espresso
3 drops of chocolate bitters
15ml lime juice
15ml coconut cream
Cinnamon stick (optional garnish)

Method
Half-fill your glass with crushed ice, and pour everything in. Now for the swizzle! You can use a swizzle stick, or barspoon, but you simply need to submerge the utensil below the ice and hold it between your palms. Then, as if you’re starting a fire, rotate between your palms until it’s thoroughly mixed! 

Widow’s Kiss – for the cognac lovers

The original recipe for this goes way back to George Kappeler’s Modern American Drinks guide in 1895, using two French herbal liqueurs and apple brandy. It’s changed over the years and in celebration of The Three Drinkers in Cognac, we’re going to use a cognac rather than apple brandy. This Widow’s Kiss packs a punch, with fruits, honey, herbs and chocolate subtly marrying for a gorgeously rich and warm creation which could be served after dinner or as a nightcap. Deliciously bold.

Ingredients
50ml cognac (VS or VSOP)
20ml Yellow Chartreuse
20ml Bénédictine
3 drops of chocolate bitters
Cherry (optional garnish)

Method
Super easy this, just stir all your ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Yum!

Squeaky Wheel – for the mezcal lovers

This takes the Negroni framework and shakes it up into a smokier, richer number. Created by Nicholas Bennett of Cedric’s at the Shed in New York, the signature earthy smokiness of the mezcal complements the coffee gorgeously. Almond-flavoured, sweet amaretto is offset by bitter citrus for brightness, and the swirling chocolate bitters bring a spicy richness. So much flavour but with no harsh ages, this is truly stunning.

Ingredients (for a jug)
40ml mezcal
30ml bitter orange apéritif (Campari or Aperol)
20ml coffee liqueur
15ml amaretto
2 dashes of chocolate bitters
Orange twist (optional garnish)

Method
Stir around ice to combine and strain into an ice-filled glass. For a nice touch, rub an orange wedge around the rim before dropping it in as garnish. Voila!

Espresso Martini – for the vodka lovers

One of the most adored cocktails of the last few years, this in-your-face cocktail is perfect for a chocolate bitters addition. Bitterness, sweetness, frothy Espresso, smooth and crisp vodka, and now richer chocolate bitters for a Mocha Martini style twist. They add warmth and dark chocolate notes without the sweetness, keeping this cocktail in perfect balance.

 Ingredients
40ml vodka
20ml coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)
25ml cooled espresso
3 drops chocolate bitters
1 tbsp syrup
Three coffee beans (garnish)

Method
Cocktail shakers out, then simply shake everything with ice and pour into a pre-chilled cocktail glass! Equally perfect after meals or at the bar!

Chocolate bitters are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to bitters taking drinks to that next level, and if you often make cocktails at home you should definitely consider getting a few in – check out our ‘What Are Bitters?’ guide here!

7 Delicious Rum Cocktails

For some reason, some drinkers pigeonhole rum cocktails as a vacation-only choice, but rum is much more than poolside Pina Coladas…as good as they are.

The tropical rum cocktails are some of the world’s favourites, and deservedly so, but it’s a versatile spirit so here is the best of everything rum from legendary recipes to delicious twists.

Rum Sour

More known for whisky, the Sour style cocktail works really well with rum. You could use a golden rum to pair the tropical brûléed feel with sunny citrus, but we prefer the warming of a spiced rum. The silky egg white adds some decadence and texture, there’s a wonderful tang and sweetness from the lime, orange and syrup, and the toasty spiced rum adds a punchy hit of rich flavour. It’s a lot going on but it really works.

Ingredients
50ml Rum (Bacardi Spiced works well)
25ml Orange Juice
25ml Lime Juice
12.5ml Syrup (Monin works well)
15ml Egg white

Method
Mix all ingredients together without ice and shake, add ice and shake once more. Fine strain into a cocktail glass.

Rum Old Fashioned

The rum Old Fashioned is such an underrated twist. The oaky spice of the dark rum, the zesty structure of the bitters, the bright citrus…this will definitely win the traditionalists over.

Ingredients
50ml Dark Rum (Mount Gay XO works well)
1 tsp sugar syrup
Few dashes of orange bitters
Orange Peel to garnish

Method
Add ice 3/4 of the way up a mixing glass or cocktail shaker and add all ingredients. Stir for 30 seconds until nicely chilled. Fine strain into a cocktail glass.

PIñA COLADA

This is probably the definitive tropical cocktail, right? Sweet and creamy, it’s the ultimate smoothie (okay it’s not officially a smoothie but if you label it as that you can have another one). Unfortunately, no one knows exactly who invented it but whoever you are, we thank you!

Ingredients:
60ml white rum ((Havana Club 3-year-old works well)
60ml coconut cream
120ml crushed pineapple/pineapple juice
Garnish: pineapple Wedge

Method:
Blenders at the ready. Combine white rum with the same amount of coconut cream. Add 120ml of pineapple juice or crushed pineapple, a handful of ice, and blend. Garnish with pineapple and an umbrella for the complete holiday vibe.

CINNAMON TWIST

Another creamy rum concoction here with the Cinnamon Twist. Swapping out the fruit for cinnamon creates a wonderfully indulgent milky, spiced rum punch, a recipe that has been around in different forms since medieval times! Spices in the rum will pair perfectly with the cinnamon which brings us to the syrup. You can do this individually (simple syrup plus cinnamon powder) but by adding cinnamon sticks to water and sugar, the syrup is easy to make and gorgeous in all kinds of other cocktails.

Ingredients:
60ml Golden Rum (Mount Gay Black Barrel works well)
44ml Milk
22ml Cinnamon Syrup

Method:
Shake with ice, then strain over a singular hefty ice cube in a chilled rock glass!

DAIQUIRI

We often hear that people dismiss a Daiquri as a childish option, with sickly sweet slush puppy vibes. Maybe that’s you? Well, we’re here to say give it another chance. When fresh lime juice is used, the right amount of syrup and it isn’t blended, it can be simple and so refreshing. Rum and lime are a match made in heaven and the syrup counteracts the tang perfectly - just get the ratios right!

Ingredients:
60ml Light or White Rum (Havana Club 3-year-old works well)
20ml lime juice
20ml simple syrup
Garnish: lime

Top Tip: Fruity-flavoured syrups add a lovely twist to the original recipe - try banana and strawberry instead of simple syrup!

Method:
Pour all the ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes. Do not blend! Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and add the garnish.

MOJITO

One of the world’s favourite cocktails, is the Cuban-born Mojito the single most refreshing cocktail on the planet? Rum, mint and lime - it’s aromatic, zesty, reinvigorating and punchy. Ernest Hemingway loved it, and so do we.

Ingredients:
50ml White Rum (Havana Club 3-year-old works well)
20ml lime juice
15ml simple syrup
Soda water
Garnish: mint

Method:
We want to get all that flavour from the mint so it’s vital to crush it with the lime juice and sugar. Add ice and a white rum that you love. Top up with soda water, give it a gentle stir to combine and sip the evening away! Top

HURRICANE

One of the many cocktails born out of Prohibition, this New Orleans icon is perfect for when you’re wanting a potent flavour bomb. It has a few more ingredients than most cocktails, but it’s worth it in the end trust us. The trio of fruit juices are key here, so try and make sure you freshly squeezed for as many as possible. It’s zippy, tropical, and sweet and with the double punch of light and dark rum, there are layers of notes to explore until the very last sip. You won’t feel neutral about it that’s for sure!

Ingredients:
40ml light rum (Havana Club 3-year-old works well)
40ml dark rum (Mount Gay XO works well)
15ml lime juice
15ml passion fruit juice
15ml orange juice
15ml simple syrup
10ml Grenadine
Garnish: orange wheel

Method:
All the hard work is done fetching the ingredients here, so just add them to a shaker with ice and shake until cold. Strain into a hurricane glass with more ice and voila! An orange garnish works a treat for good measure.

Chances are if you’ve made it to the end of these tasty rum cocktails, you love your rum. So, if you’re drinking it regularly you may as well go the whole hog and make yourself a little home bar! After all, you’ve probably got most of the ingredients already.

Piña Colada With A Twist: 7 Recipes To Make At Home

Those of you who know your Spanish will know that Piña Colada translates to ‘strained pineapple’, a reference to the fresh pineapple juice in the original recipe. Add rum and coconut and bam, you’ve created one of the world’s favourite cocktails and an icon of Puerto Rico! But do we know more about its backstory than the famous Puerto Rican origin?

Well, sort of. 1954 is the most likely year of invention, and San Juan is the location. The person most agree created it is Ramon Monchito, a bartender at the Caribe Hilton Hotel at the time. But like with all hit cocktails, others in the local area claim they came up with it first, so we’ll never know for certain.

Although this is already the definitive tropical cocktail, we love experimenting with twists and variations and particularly with the Piña Colada. It’s sweet, boozy, and creamy which most of us love, but if you’ve never taken to it, then check out these stunning variations below!

The Original Piña Colada

You can’t start experimenting until you’ve mastered the original. The nearest thing you can get to a cocktail smoothie (it must be healthy then, right?) is all about those three bold flavours working together. The texture and fragrance from the coconut, the tropical sweetness of the pineapple juice (fresh is a must!), and the punchy warmth of the rum – incredible.

Ingredients
60ml white rum
60ml coconut cream
120ml crushed pineapple/pineapple juice
Pineapple wedge (garnish)

 Method
You have two choices here! First, you can blend everything with ice and serve a thick smoothie-style mix. Or you can shake everything thoroughly with ice and strain over crushed ice. The blended method is the most popular but try both! If any cocktail umbrellas are laying around, now’s the time to use them.

Baileys Colada

This variation adds a touch of luxury and creaminess to the Piña Colada by using Baileys Irish Cream instead of white rum. The Baileys adds a smooth and velvety texture to the drink, as well as a hint of chocolate and vanilla flavouring. The lime juice balances the richness of the cream, while the pineapple and coconut keep that signature refreshing tropical twist. How delicious does that sound?

Ingredients
60ml Baileys Irish Cream (you could use others of course!)
60ml coconut cream
120ml pineapple juice
15ml lime juice
Pineapple wedge (optional garnish)

Method
In a cocktail shaker, add all the ingredients except any garnishes and ice. Shake well to combine. Fill a glass with ice cubes. Strain the cocktail over the ice. Finally, sip this creamy concoction and feel like royalty!

Jalapiña Colada

Go with us here because this unexpected and spicy twist on the classic Piña Colada will be a thrilling ride for your tastebuds. The addition of jalapeño peppers adds a fiery kick that is tempered nicely by the creamy sweetness of the pineapple and coconut. It creates a surprisingly moreish and lingering warmth that takes the original in a completely different direction.

Ingredients
60ml white rum (darker would work too)
60ml coconut cream
120ml pineapple juice
1 small jalapeño pepper (sliced)
Jalapeño slice/pineapple wedge (garnish)

Method
Begin by muddling the sliced jalapeño in the bottom of a shaker to release its spicy essence. Add the rum, coconut cream, and crushed pineapple juice to the shaker. Shake vigorously with ice, then strain into a glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish with a slice of jalapeño and enjoy the tropical heat.

Chocolada

This variation adds a decadent and indulgent twist to the Piña Colada by using chocolate liqueur instead of rum. Darker chocolate would work, but to pair dreamily with the pineapple and coconut, we prefer white chocolate liqueur. This is great as a boozy dessert and perfect for those with a sweet tooth. Yum!

Ingredients
60 ml white chocolate liqueur (like Mozart)
30 ml chocolate syrup
120 ml pineapple juice
60 ml coconut cream
Whipped cream and chocolate shavings (optional garnish)

Method
In a blender, combine all the ingredients except the garnishes and blend until smooth and frothy. If you like, you can pour some melted choc/choc sauce around the glass which looks gorgeously inviting. Pour into your glass and depending on your taste, you can shave some chocolate over the top or spray with whipped cream to go all out.

Citrus Piña Colada

Okay, now this isn’t the craziest adaptation, but this is actually the Piña Colada you’ll be served in many establishments these days. There is a school of thought that there should be citrus included in the blend and it’s easy to see why. Limes add a very subtle sharp bitterness and fragrance, and the lemons cut through with some light acidity and go really well with the coconut.

 Ingredients
60ml white rum
40 ml fresh pineapple juice
50ml coconut cream
10 ml fresh lemon juice
10ml lime juice
Lime/lemon/pineapple wedge (garnish)

Method
Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with some ice and shake well. Strain it into a glass of crushed ice and voila!

Caramelized Banana Colada

Banana is such a perfect match for the Piña Colada, pairing perfectly with the coconut and pineapple and complementing the tropical rum too. But, for an even more sumptuous twist, how about caramelised banana? The rich and buttery sweetness adds a luxurious depth of flavour and a robust cooked quality that creates boozy smoothie royalty.

 Ingredients
60ml white rum
60ml coconut cream
120ml crushed pineapple/pineapple juice
1 ripe banana (caramelized)
Caramelized banana slice (garnish)

Method
First, the banana. Add the sliced banana to a medium-hot pan with a little butter, a generous sprinkle of sugar and a dash of cinnamon, tossing gently to cover the slices. About 3 minutes on each side should be enough. Leave to cool. After that it’s business as usual, blending everything with ice (or over ice)! Yum!

Tequilada

This variation adds a Mexican twist to the Piña Colada by using tequila instead of rum. Tequila adds a smoky and earthy flavour that contrasts nicely with the sweetness of coconut and pineapple. Coconut water replaces cream here too, creating a more refreshing and hydrating cocktail that lets the tequila notes shine through. Fruity sweetness, soothing refreshment, and vibrant agave - olé!

Ingredients
60ml tequila
100ml coconut water
80ml pineapple juice
15ml lime juice

Method
Super simple - shake all the ingredients and pour over a glass prepared with ice cubes. A true fiesta in a glass.

Next stop on the summer refreshment train... strawberry-based cocktails!

The Best Strawberry Based Cocktail Recipes

Did you know that because strawberries have seeds on the outside and come from a single ovary, they’re technically not berries are in fact in a group all of their own? And for many people, they’re on their own in top spot when it comes to best fruits too because when ripe and juicy, is there really anything better?

I’m sure Strawberry Day is pencilled into your calendar, so here are the very best easy to make strawberry-based cocktails whatever you drink... unless you hate strawberry of course.

Strawberry Daiquiri – for the rum lovers

One of the most famous strawberry cocktails, we just had to include this classic. Daiquiri’s can easily end up as sweet slush puppies, so keep an eye on the sweetness and be generous with the lime juice to get that tang, and pick a rum with some nice depth.

Ingredients
60ml rum (light ideally, e.g., Havana Club 3YO)
50g strawberries
20ml lime juice
15ml syrup
Strawberry (optional garnish)

Method
Setting up the blender is the hardest thing about this cocktail. Simply add everything in with ice and double strain over the glass. Use crushed ice to give your blender a head start!

Cherub’s Cup – for the vodka lovers

Floral elderflower, sweet strawberries and syrup, dry rosé with a touch of effervescence, tangy lemon and a smooth ‘n’ sturdy vodka spine, the Cherub’s Cup is an angel in a glass. The fresh strawberries and berry notes in the Rosé combine to create unbelievably refreshing bubbles fizzing with flavour, lifting the crisp vodka harmoniously.

Ingredients
30g strawberries
20ml lemon juice
20ml syrup
60ml vodka
25ml elderflower liqueur
50ml Rosé
Mint (optional garnish)

Method
Muddle the strawberries with lemon juice and syrup (just a heated 1:1 ratio of water and sugar). Add your ice, vodka and elderflower liqueur (St Germain is an inventory must for mixologists). Shake well. Strain and top with Rosé! One last thing, enjoy!          

Strawberry Margarita – for the tequila lovers

Salty, sweet, bitter, and sour, the Margarita has everything. So why make any changes? Well, include strawberries and you’ll see why. Everyone know strawberries and lime rhyme phonetically and in terms of flavour, adding a lovely juicy texture to the popular cocktail.

Ingredients
50ml tequila
20ml fresh lime juice
20ml triple sec
80g ish strawberries (fresh or frozen)
A dash of syrup (optional)
Lime wheel or strawberry, salt rim (optional garnish)

Method
First, shake everything with ice. Depending how mushy you want your strawberries, you can either full on blend them, muddle them or just break them up with the shake. You can add a dash of syrup also if you like but the strawberries should be sweet enough. Strain the ingredients into a small glass and garnish with an appetising lime wheel and a salt rim if you fancy. Voilá!

Red Derby – for the whiskey lovers

This is a bright and delicious twist on the classic Brown Derby. The slight spiciness of the Bourbon plays off the relentless refreshment of the strawberries and grapefruit juice, with the luxurious honey pulling everything together. Play around with the ratios for your taste and we’re sure you’ll love this.

Ingredients
50ml Bourbon
40ml grapefruit juice (any colour)
80g ish strawberries (fresh or frozen)
20ml honey
Strawberry (optional garnish)

Method
Chop the strawberries and add everything to the shaker! Remember to shake well so the honey is thoroughly mixed and ideally double strain into a glass! Simply beautiful.

The Strawberry Smash – for the gin lovers

This is a gorgeous glass of summer sunshine bursting with strawberry flavour, and stopped from being overly sweet by cutting fresh lemon juice and a few drops of bitters to finish. The Strawberry Smash is as refreshing as it gets!

Ingredients
50ml gin (we like Brixham Market Garden Strawberry Gin)
25ml lemon juice
20ml strawberry syrup (we like Monin)
3 dashes of aromatic bitters
Mint leaves
Strawberry and mint (optional garnish)

Method
If you go for a Strawberry Gin as we recommended here, you can go for less strawberry syrup unless you’re a strawberry obsessive! Muddle a little mint and add everything to a shaker except the biters. Strain over some crushed ice in your glass and add the bitters.

Strawberry Fizzer – perfect for the sparkling wine lovers

The key thing with this is good quality and natural flavours. Juicy ripe strawberries and a natural lemonade are vital to avoid that synthetic taste, and if you’ve got those this is stunning. The sweetness of the strawberries and lemonade, the freshness of the Cava, and the vodka to centre the cocktail and give it some heart.

Ingredients
80g ish strawberries (fresh ideally)
25ml vodka
40ml natural lemonade
50ml Cava
Strawberry (optional garnish 

Method
It’s as simple as shaking everything except the Cava and making sure the strawberries are nicely broken up. Strain twice so that it’s lovely and smooth and top up with bubbling Cava!

If you’re not quite ready to bring in those summer vibes yet then at the other end of the spectrum we have some amazing winter warmers with these Hot Toddies.

What is the Hugo Spritz?

Summer after summer, the Aperol Spritz cocktail glistens in the sun as the dominant spritz, but is that all about to change?

Fuelled by viral TikTok clips, the Hugo Spritz is capturing the hearts and minds of drinkers as summer beckons. Hailing from Northern Italy as a regional twist on the classic Spritz (which usually involves amaro and bitterness), the Hugo Spritz has slowly made its way over the Alps and across Europe over the last fifteen years. So, what actually is it?

Well, it’s elderflower liqueur (usually St Germain), Prosecco, soda, mint and a little lemon or lime. As gloriously effervescent it sounds, this is as refreshing as it gets with tantalising florality and fizz at the forefront of it all. The sweet, aromatic, and crisp profile is a crowd-pleaser with pretty much everyone and it’s being dubbed the most refreshing cocktail ever invented!

Part of its appeal is how simple is to make, so if you want to see what all the fuss is about and make a Hugo Spritz next time the sun is shining, this is how to go about it:

Ingredients
40ml elderflower liqueur (like St Germain)
20ml soda water
Sprigs of fresh mint
Dash of lime/lemon juice
Prosecco to top up
Ice
Lime/lemon wedge (garnish)

Method
Take a large wine glass (you could use a highball if it’s big enough) and add some mint. Depending on how minty you want it, crush, and rip the mint to release the flavour, then pour in your elderflower. If you want a less boozy version, elderflower cordial works well too. Fill the glass with large ice cubes, add a splash of soda water, some lemon or lime juice, and top up with prosecco! And the final touch…a lemon or lime garnish! The ultimate summer sipper right there.