I’m a gal that’s likes a cocktail. Especially in the summer. I mean there’s nothing better than sitting on a little bistro table in a new country as the sun sets with a delicious drink and good company in tow, am I right?
Well the total babes over at Diageo’s thebar.com figured I’d be into my cocktails and asked me which ones were my faves, from their extensive repertoire of cocktail recipes. I’ve obvs stayed true to form and picked ones that remind me of my travels…
1) Pimms No.1 and Lemonade – United Kingdom
Ok, to start things off, I figured I’d go for the cocktail that reminds me most of home when I’m away. And it HAS to be Pimms. It’s so quintessentially English and reminds me of fun back garden BBQs with my friends and family – aren’t they the best? I actually followed this recipe at the weekend for quality girly time with my pal Sam on the roof – hello summer! I love mine with extra cucumber and fresh strawberries!
Ingredients (to make one)
- Pimm’s No. 1®
- Lemonade
- 1 slice Lemon
- 1 slice Cucumber
- 1 piece Strawberry
- 1 sprig Mint
Method
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour Pimm’s No.1 and lemonade into the glass.
- Garnish with lemon, cucumber, strawberry and fresh mint.
2) Cosmopolitan – New York
On my first visit to the big apple, way back in 2009, I was channeling Carrie Bradshaw in a big way (excuse the pun). I visited the famous stoop from Sex and the City, saw the New York State Library where Carrie nearly married Big in the film and of course indulged in a Cosmo or two. I mean you have to right? Nothing says New York like a hot pink drink finished with a twist of lime.
Ingredients (to make one)
- Smirnoff No. 21® Vodka
- Grand Marnier®
- Cranberry Juice
- Lime Juice
- 1twist(s) Lime Twist
Method
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice and lime juice into the shaker.
- Shake until cold.
- Strain into a martini glass.
- Garnish with a twist of lime peel.
Check out the full recipe here – Cosmopolitan
3) Singapore Sling – Singapore
I was only in the jewel of Asia that is Singapore a couple of months ago, eating amazing food, visiting the awesome Supertrees at the Garden by the Bay and knocking back a Singapore Sling to tick it off the bucketlist! It may not be Raffles, but you can certainly have a crack at one yourself. Although be warned that these bad boys can be super sweet sometimes, go easy on the Grenadine folks!
Ingredients (to make one)
- Gordon’s® London Dry Gin
- Cherry Brandy
- Benedictine
- Lemon Juice
- Grenadine
Method
1. Add Gordon’s London Dry Gin, cherry brandy, benedictine, lemon juice and grenadine to a cocktail shaker.
2. Shake until cold.
3. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice cubes.
4) Sangria – Spain
Hola Sangria! This is one of the cocktails that reminds me most of travelling, especially the trip to Catalonia I took last year. A glass of fruity Sangria whilst dining al fresco in Barcelona after a day of cycling around the city is a fantastic feeling. Sheer bliss, I’m telling you.
Ingredients (to make one)
- Blossom Hill Sun-Kissed Red
- Orange Juice
- 1top(s) Lemonade
- 1slice(s) Orange
- 1piece(s) Mint Sprig
Method
1. Fill a glass with ice.
2. Add Blossom Hill Sun-Kissed Red wine, smooth orange juice and lemonade.
3. Stir thoroughly.
4. Garnish with mint and orange.
5) Tequila Sunrise – California
Despite tequila reminding me of Mexican-themed parties, the Tequila Sunrise cocktail is actually born and raised in California. My first ever solo adventure was travelling around the USA and this cocktail is a perfect representation of that summer, all fresh and fruity and wide-eyed and bushy tailed.
Ingredients (to make one)
- Don Julio® Blanco Tequila
- Orange Juice
- Cranberry Juice
- 1wedge(s) Orange
Method
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour Don Julio Blanco Tequila, orange juice and cranberry juice into the glass.
- Garnish with an orange wedge.
Check out the full recipe here – Tequila Sunrise
6) French 75 – France
Despite being just across the channel, I feel like I haven’t seen as much of our mainland neighbour as I should have. And I still have Provence and Lyon firmly at the top of my bucketlist. But don’t worry I have been lucky enough to visit the beautiful city of Paris a couple of times, and nothing is more Paris than champagne, am I right? Well how about a French 75, a sophisticated gin, champagne and lemon cocktail. Oh I feel so fancy right now.
Ingredients (to make one)
- Tanqueray® London Dry Gin
- Lemon Juice
- Sugar Syrup
- 1top(s) Champagne
- 1twist(s) Lemon Peel
Method
1. Fill a shaker with ice.
2. Add Tanqueray London Dry Gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake until cold.
4. Strain into a champagne flute and top with champagne.
5. Garnish with a twist of lemon.
7) Mojito – Cuba
Okay okay, hands up, I haven’t been to Cuba, you got me. But Mojitos are one of my fave cocktails, all sugary and minty, they’re a classic, right? And I do really want to go to Cuba, and drive an old fashioned car, and go to the idyllic beaches, and drink lovely rum and recreate Dirty Dancing 2… Just me?
Ingredients (to make one)
- Captain Morgan® White Rum
- 1dash(es) Soda Water
- 2tsp Caster Sugar
- 2wedge(s) Lime Wedge
- 1sprig(s) Mint Sprig
Method
- Muddle sugar and lime wedges together in a glass.
- Muddle mint.
- Add ice to a glass.
- Add Captain Morgan White Rum® and soda.
- Stir with a spoon.
- Add ice and a sprig of mint.
Check out the full recipe here – Mojito
There you have it folks, a run-down of my favourite cocktails from around the world… *hiccup*
For more delicious cocktail recipes head on over to thebar.com for an awesome selection of summer cocktails.
What’s your favourite cocktail from your travels? Let me know in the comments below or tweet me @HeelsInBackpack!
Total Blogger Transparency: This is a collaborative post with Diageo’s thebar.com but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I wouldn’t play you like that shorty.