While always a popular choice, cocktails have seen a significant surge in popularity post-pandemic. When at home, they’re fun to make with friends, taste great and feel like a treat. When you’re out, it feels special to have a bartender whip up a creation from a variety of ingredients. Regardless of new and emerging trends, signature cocktails continue to be bestsellers – here are some of the ones you should definitely know about!
Cosmopolitan
A timeless classic, the cosmo has been around for decades and being one of the top sellers in bars, its popularity is still going strong. The term ‘cosmopolitan’ refers to the belief that all human beings are a member of one single community. If that single community is in a lip-smacking sweet and sour crimson drink – then we want to be a part of it! A classic cosmo is made with Triple Sec, Cointreau, cranberry juice and a splash of lime juice. Here’s the recipe that every bartender or at-home mixologist should memorise!
Ingredients
- 150ml cranberry juice
- 45ml vodka
- 30ml Cointreau
- Squeeze fresh lime juice or a dash of fresh lime juice cordial
- Ice cubes
- Two slices of lime, to serve
Method
- First and foremost, stop everything you’re doing until you confirm that you have a chilled martini glass. If you want to pay homage to Carrie Bradshaw and the girls, it can be served in no other vessel.
- Once the glass is present, proceed to pour the cranberry juice, vodka, and lime juice/cordial into a cocktail shaker.
- Add in ice cubes and shake for 30 seconds until chilled.
- Pour and serve immediately with a wedge of lime.
- Sip up and pretend you’re a New York socialite!
Mojito
Minty, cool and refreshing – it’s no wonder this is a top seller in bars and clubs across the world. Such a simple idea that’s a versatile choice and can be made with vodka or rum, with the most popular being the latter. White rum, mint, sugar and lime mingle together to deliver a crisp thirst quencher. Again, because of its versatility, soda water can be swapped for 7up or Sprite if one wishes it to be a little sweeter. This concoction was originally used to treat illnesses, well we’ve got the recipe that will cure all ailments – check it out below!
Ingredients
- 240ml Smirnoff Red Vodka
- 2 limes, cut into wedges
- 1 bunch of fresh mint
- 4 tsp sugar
- 300ml soda water
- Ice
Method
- Combine Smirnoff vodka, juice of 2 limes, sugar and mint in a jug.
- Stir to combine and dissolve the sugar.
- Add ice and stir again.
- Top with soda water and stir once more.
- Garnish with sprigs of mint.
Margarita
Of course, no list of top-selling cocktails is complete with our beloved margarita. As the legend goes, a bar owner in Mexico called Danny Herrera created the mix for a stunning Ziegfeld showgirl who went by the name of Marjorie King. The only drink she liked was tequila, so he added lime juice and salt.
Today, our tastebuds will forever be indebted to Marjorie and Danny. So whether like Danny, you’re trying to impress someone that’s caught your eye, or you just have a picky drinker – jot this recipe down and master the classic margarita!
Ingredients
- 1 lime wedge, plus 2 lime wheels for garnish
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt, for glass rims
- 120ml of high-quality tequila
- 60ml Cointreau orange liqueur
- 45ml fresh juice from 2 limes
Method
- Sprinkle salt flakes onto a flat surface like a large chopping board.
- Run a lime wedge around the outer rims of two (preferably rocks) glasses, flick them upside down and dip the rims in the salt. Set aside.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 15 seconds (the bottom of a metal shaker should frost over).
- Fill glasses with fresh ice and strain margarita into both glasses. Garnish with lime wheels and serve!
Pina Colada
It seems many cocktail drinkers would have replied to Rupert Holmes’ ad in the paper – because they certainly still like Pina Coladas (we can’t comment on the ‘getting caught in the rain’ bit). A classic, tropical cocktail is a vacation in a glass, how could you not love it? It’s basically a smoothie with an umbrella and alcohol – it doesn’t get any better than that! Coconut milk, rum and pineapple juice are the main ingredients used to bring you a refreshing taste of summer. Check it out below.
Ingredients
- 375ml of chilled pineapple juice.
- 250ml of coconut milk.
- 80ml of Malibu coconut liqueur.
- 60ml of Midori liqueur.
- 60ml of fresh lime juice.
- 2 cups of crushed ice.
Method
- Place pineapple juice, coconut milk, Malibu, Midori, lime juice and ice in a blender and mix until everything is combined.
- Pour into glasses.
- Do NOT forget the paper umbrellas.
Ready to get the cocktail shaker out? We can’t say we blame you! Stock up on your ingredients by visiting a Sessions liquor store in Sandringham or Brunswick, or visit sessionsliquor.com.au
