Around the World in 7 Cocktails

Today’s blog post comes courtesy of our guest blogger, Josie Sampson.

We all know that when it comes to the summer, a cold jug of Pimms topped with chopped fruit and lashings of ice is practically an English institution – but what about the rest of the world? When it comes to cocktails, it seems every country has its very own favourite. Here we introduce you to some cult classic cocktails from all over the globe.

Brazil: Caipirinha

Team the Brazilian sugarcane spirit cachaça with generous helpings of rum and sugar, and you’ll soon see why Brazil’s favourite cocktail has become a worldwide hit. Once upon a time, these ingredients were used as a medicinal remedy to ward off attacks of the Spanish flu – and it wasn’t long until someone cottoned on to the delightful taste of the caipirinha! Since then, it’s transformed into a deliciously sweet and sour cocktail enjoyed all over the world.

Serve in Islande Tumblers 7oz / 200ml

Ingredients (one drink):

• 2oz cachaça
• 1 lime
• 2 heaped teaspoons fine sugar

Cuba: Mojito

These days it’s one of the most popular cocktails in the world; the mojito dates all the way back to the 16^th century. The story goes that when Sir Francis Drake sailed from the Spanish New World back to England, outbreaks onboard of scurvy and dysentery forced the crew to dock in Cuba. The natives kindly presented them with a medicinal drink of rum, sugar, lime and mint – all you need is a dash of sparkling water and the mojito as we all know and love it is born!

Serve in Gibraltar Twist Rocks Glasses 9oz / 260ml

Ingredients (one drink):

• 2tsp sugar
• 6-8 mint leaves
• Club soda
• 1 lime, halved
• 2oz light rum
• Mint sprig for garnish

Greece: Ouzo

Believe it or not, Greece’s biggest hit drink belongs to a group of 14th century monks living in a monastery on Mount Athos. In fact, the Greeks love the aniseed flavoured drink so much that in 2006, the country won the right to label Ouzo as exclusively Greek, barring any other countries from using the name! This popular aperitif is typically mixed with water and served over ice, where it turns cloudy white or even slightly blue.

Serve in Fill to Brim Shooter Glass CE 1.8oz / 50ml & LCE at 25ml

Ingredients (one drink):

• 1 ½oz Ouzo
• ¾oz water

Singapore: Singapore Sling

A bar tender by the name of Ngiam Tong Boon is ours to thank for the Singapore Sling, back in 1915. Working at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel Singapore, he whipped up his creation one night using gin, Cherry Heering, Benedictine and pineapple juice. The recipe has changed a little since then but one thing’s for sure: it’s delicious enough to sling yourself onto a flight to Singapore just to taste one in the very place it was invented.

Serve in Jazz Sling Glasses 11.05oz / 330ml

Ingredients (one drink):

• 1 ½oz gin
• 1oz lemon juice
• ¼oz simple syrup
• 1 ½ teaspoon powdered sugar
• 2oz club soda
• ½oz cherry brandy
• Lemon slice for garnish
• Cherry for garnish

Belgium: Black Russian

Although you may think that a Black Russian is the territory of Russia and not Belgium, the drink was actually conceived in Belgium and simply owes its name to its use of vodka, a traditional Russian spirit. Invented at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels by Belgian bartender Gustave Tops in 1949, the Black Russian was created in honour of Perle Mesta, the US ambassador to Luxembourg at the time. We’re all very thankful!

Serve in Norway Double Old Fashioned Glasses 11.06oz / 330ml

Ingredients (one drink):

• 1 ¾oz vodka
• ¾oz coffee liqueur

Puerto Rico: Piña Colada

The piña colada is so loved by the folks of Puerto Rico that the government declared it the official drink of the country in 1978. This creamy glass of tropical deliciousness was created by Puerto Rican bartender Ramon Marrero in 1954, whilst he was working at the Caribe Hilton International Hotel. Since then, it’s become an undeniable classic the world over and the no beach holiday is quite complete without one.

Serve in Pina Colada Glasses 14oz / 400ml

Ingredients (one drink):

• 2oz pineapple juice
• 2oz light rum
• 1 ½oz coconut cream
• Pineapple wedge for garnish
• Cherry for garnish

Mexico: Margarita

No one can say for sure where the classic margarita began its life, but one popular story suggests that the socialite Margarita Sames invented the drink at a Christmas party in Acapulco, Mexico in 1948. With Tommy Hilton of Hilton Hotels at the same party, the drink was super quick to spread to all the right places! A simple mix of tequila, orange flavoured Cointreau and lime, the margarita was an instant hit.

Serve in Princesa Margarita Cocktail Glasses 9oz / 270ml

Ingredients (one drink):

• 1 ½oz tequila
• ½oz triple sec such as Cointreau
• 1oz fresh lime juice
• Lime wedge for garnish
• Salt or sugar to rim the margarita glass

What’s the most delicious cocktail you’ve discovered around the world?