My Favourite Cocktails
Moving the drinks to cocktails is a ritual! The vibes amp up with the sound of the shaker, the clink of ice, the small moment of ceremony before the first sip. I love how a good cocktail can mark the start of an evening, set the tone for a dinner, or linger at the end of a meal as the conversation stretches on and revs up!
These are my tried-and-true favourites - the ones I make most often at home. They’re simple, balanced, and always feel like a little occasion.
01. Negroni
My favourite. A classic that never fails - equal parts bitter, sweet, and strong.
Ingredients:
30ml gin
30ml Campari
30ml sweet vermouth
Orange peel, to garnish
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.
Stir for about 20 seconds, then strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
Express the orange peel over the top and drop it in.
Hostess tip: Have a measurer - I’ve been on the wrong end of an ill-measured Negroni. No fun.
02. Margarita – The Classic
Bright, zesty, and always the first cocktail finished.
Ingredients:
45ml tequila
30ml Cointreau
30ml fresh lime juice
Salt for the rim
Directions:
Run a lime wedge around the rim of the glass (or even a side plate with water will work!) and dip in salt.
Shake tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice with ice.
Strain into a glass with fresh ice.
Variation: Endlesssss! Elevate a Chilli Marg with birds eye chillies frozen into large ice cubes
03. Paloma
The understated Mexican classic - grapefruit-forward and impossibly refreshing.
Ingredients:
45ml tequila
15ml lime juice
Pinch of salt
Grapefruit soda (such as Capi, Fever-Tree, or grapefruit juice if you prefer)
Directions:
Fill a tall glass with ice.
Add tequila, lime juice, and salt.
Top with grapefruit soda and stir gently.
Garnish with a lime wedge or grapefruit slice.
Variation: For a more elevated version, use fresh grapefruit juice and top with soda water.
04. Martini – The Classic
Sleek, sophisticated, and endlessly adaptable.
Ingredients:
60ml gin (or vodka)
10ml dry vermouth
Lemon twist or olive, to garnish
Directions:
Add gin and vermouth to a mixing glass with ice.
Stir for 30 seconds, then strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist or olive.
Hostess tip: Chill your glasses in the freezer for an extra-smooth finish.
Variation: The Martini Pickle Bar! Set up a mini Martini Pickle Bar with jars of pickled onions, cornichons, dill pickles, or even pickled chilli. Swap the olive brine for pickle juice for a savoury kick.
05. Amaretto Sour
I LOVE an Amaretto Sour - sweet, nutty, and perfectly balanced with a citrusy tang.
Ingredients:
60ml amaretto
30ml fresh lemon juice or Sour mix
1 egg white (optional, for foam)
Lemon twist or cherry, to garnish
Directions:
Shake all ingredients without ice to combine (if using egg white).
Add ice and shake again until cold and frothy.
Strain into a rocks glass over ice and garnish.
Hostess tip: You can replace egg white with Wonderfoam. It’s a famous product and great if you have egg-free / vegan folks at the party!
08. Pisco Sour
Something I’m just getting into. A South American classic that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
Ingredients:
60ml pisco
30ml fresh lime juice
20ml simple syrup
1 egg white / Wonderfoam
A few drops of Angostura bitters
Directions:
Dry shake all ingredients (without ice) to foam the egg white.
Add ice and shake again until well chilled.
Strain into a coupe glass and add a few drops of bitters on top.
Hostess tip: Use a dropper or skewer to swirl the bitters into a little heart or pattern on top - it always impresses guests.
A Final Note
Cocktails don’t have to be complicated - the beauty is in the fun of it. A well-stocked bar, a handful of beautiful glasses, and a few simple recipes are all you need. Mix one or two for guests, then let them experiment on their own - that’s half the fun.
