There are few things better than sitting on the beach sipping a cocktail. The refreshing beverage that both quenches your thirst and relaxes you at the same time. These drinks have risen in popularity and now you can experience cocktails from all around. While it may seem easy to go down to the local bar, try making your own! It can prove to be a lot of fun and can make you a great dinner party host.
Learning how to make many different cocktails from all around the world is a great skill that can help you transport your dinner guests to new locations. Cocktails often encompass the cultures and areas they were designed in. Whether you are looking to try a margarita or a martini, try making your own cocktails from around the world.
Mai Tai – United States
Everyone has at some point in their life heard of the world-renowned Mai Tai. This cocktail was created in Oakland in 1944 and grew in popularity from then. This rum-based vintage cocktail was created by a man known as Trader Vic (Victor Jules Bergeron). Rumour has it that when Trader Vic was testing this new drink on three friends one of them exclaimed “mai-tai roa aé!”. This Tahitian sayin translates to “out of this world”. This led to the naming of the cocktail as Mai Tai.
Ingredients: rum, Curaçao liqueur, orgeat syrup, and lime juice.
Moscow Mule – United States
First appearing in Los Angeles, the Moscow Mule is a vodka and ginger beer based cocktail. While it was created in 1941 it only gained success in the 1950s. The cocktail was created by John G Martin, who was a vodka salesman. John was good friends with the owner of Cock’n’Bull Saloon, Jack Morgan. Jack was also well known for launching his own brand of ginger beer.
Ingredients: vodka, spicy ginger beer, and lime juice, garnished with a slice of lime and mint leaves.
Caipirinha – Brazil
Brazil has a few famous cocktails. The country that is known for its parties, colourful parades and lively culture, has encompassed this in the Caipirinha. The Caipirinha is the most famous cocktail and makes for the perfect summertime drink. The Caipirinha was first seen in São Paulo around the end of World War One. The original recipe included ingredients like honey, garlic and others as it was used to combat the Spanish Flu. However, it has been amended since then. Since 2003, Caipirinha has been the official drink of Brazil.
Ingredients: cachaça, sugar, and lime.
Pisco Sour – Peru
Sours are popular amongst cocktails including berry sours, apple sours and the like. The Pisco Sour is a Peruvian drink that you may not have heard of. This frothy glass of goodness has become Peru’s most sought-after cocktail. The cocktail has differing opinions on when it was created in 1915 or 1920. The cocktail was created by the American bartender named Victor Vaughen. He moved in 1904 and opened a saloon called Morris’ Bar. Morris created an honourable drink that is his own take on the whisky sour.
Ingredients: Pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, egg whites.
Mojito – Cuba
The Mojito is one of the best-known cocktails in the world. This rum-based, mint-infused drink is refreshing on a summer evening. The cocktail was originally created in Cuba and dates back as far as the 16th century.
Legend has it that Francis Drake landed in Havana to steal gold. While he was there his associate Richard Drake created this now world-famous cocktail. However, others dispute that the cocktail was created by Africa slaves. The cocktail’s popularity skyrocketed when the Bacardi company was formed.
Ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water and mint.
Negroni – Italy
This ruby-red Italian drink is full of character. The Negroni is a famous Italian cocktail that packs a punch. Created in 1919 in the City of Florence, this drink was conjured up at Caffè Casoni. The reported version of Negroni’s history began with Count Camillo Negroni who asked the bartender for a stronger Americano. So the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, added gin in the place of soda water and an orange peel to create the drink we know today.
Ingredients: one part gin, one part vermouth rosso, and one part Campari, garnished with orange peel.
Kir royale – France
If you are looking for something sweet, the Kir Royale of France is a great option. This drink is an upgraded version of the French Kir. The drink was invented in Burgundy and was made popular by the Mayor of Dijon.
Ingredients: champagne and crème de cassis
Sangria -Spain
Sangria is so popular that it even has a song named after it. The drink can be traced back to the ancient Greek and Roman civilisations. They would mix wine with sugar and spice and this grew into the drink we know and love today. Today, however, the cocktail is most associated with Spain. This is thanks to the Roman occupation of the land around 200 BC, when they imported vines and planted vineyards. The grapes flourished in the Mediterranean soil and so the Spanish wine industry was born. Water was unsafe to drink at the time and so the locals created more palatable drinks including this wine punch. Today Sangria is known worldwide.
Ingredients: wine, sugar and spices
Now that you know some of the popular cocktails from around the world, you can start creating them at home. Try making them yourself to experience the enjoyment of mastering the skill of cocktail making, or mixology.