Celebrate World Cocktail Day with These Easy-to-Make Drinks at Home

World Cocktail Day, celebrated annually every 13th May, is the perfect excuse to shake, stir, and sip your way through some of the most beloved cocktails from around the world. 

Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or a curious beginner, there’s something deeply satisfying about crafting your own drink at home.

To help you mark the occasion in style, we’ve rounded up a selection of simple yet delicious cocktail recipes you can try in your own kitchen. All you need is a handful of ingredients, a bit of creativity, and a willingness to experiment.

A Brief History of World Cocktail Day

World Cocktail Day commemorates the publication of the first definition of a cocktail in 1806, which described it as a mix of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. Today, cocktails are a global phenomenon, ranging from classic concoctions to bold, modern mixes. The day is part of World Cocktail Week, a celebration of the art and enjoyment of cocktail culture.

Five Easy Cocktails to Make at Home

1. Classic Mojito (Cuba)

Refreshing and zesty – perfect for spring and summer.

Ingredients:

50ml white rum

1 tbsp sugar

Juice of 1 lime

A handful of fresh mint leaves

Soda water

Ice

Method:

Muddle the mint, sugar, and lime juice in a glass.

Fill the glass with ice, pour over the rum, and top with soda water.

Stir gently and garnish with a mint sprig.

2. Espresso Martini (UK)

A modern classic for coffee lovers.

Ingredients:

50ml vodka

25ml coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa)

25ml freshly brewed espresso

Coffee beans (for garnish)

Ice

Method:

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.

Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with 3 coffee beans.

3. Whisky Sour (USA)

A smooth, tangy drink with a silky finish.

Ingredients:

50ml bourbon or Scotch whisky

25ml lemon juice

15ml sugar syrup

Optional: egg white for froth

Ice and a cherry or orange slice to garnish

Method:

Shake all ingredients (dry shake first if using egg white, then with ice).

Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Garnish with a cherry or orange slice.

4. French 75 (France)

Elegant and bubbly – perfect for celebrations.

Ingredients:

25ml gin

15ml lemon juice

10ml sugar syrup

Champagne or sparkling wine

Lemon twist for garnish

Method:

Shake gin, lemon juice, and syrup with ice.

Strain into a flute and top with Champagne.

Garnish with a lemon twist.

5. Bramble (UK)

A fruity and floral modern British classic.

Ingredients:

40ml gin

15ml crème de mûre (blackberry liqueur)

20ml lemon juice

10ml sugar syrup

Ice and fresh blackberries to garnish

Method:

Shake the gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup with ice and strain into a glass with crushed ice.

Drizzle the crème de mûre over the top.

Garnish with blackberries and a lemon slice.

Cocktail-Making Tips for Beginners

Invest in the basics: A shaker, jigger, and strainer can make a big difference.

Fresh is best: Use fresh fruit juices and herbs where possible.

Taste and tweak: Don’t be afraid to adjust sweetness, acidity, or strength to your liking.

Celebrate Safely

Whether you're celebrating solo, hosting friends, or toasting virtually, remember to enjoy responsibly. You can also try non-alcoholic versions or use quality alcohol-free spirits for an inclusive celebration.

Cheers to World Cocktail Day – and happy mixing!

Wise Bartender hosts Wise Fest 2023 – the Fun and Free Family Event That Showcases the Best of Alcohol-Free Drinks

On Saturday 15 July Wise Fest 2023 is being held at Wayside Farm, Evercreech, Somerset, BA4 6QW from 12noon-10pm. 

With a wide and eclectic range of alcohol-free drinks to choose from, visitors can also enjoy fantastic live music, tasty BBQ food and tutored drinks tasting sessions with kids face painting and glitter tattoos available for younger guests.

Says Wise Bartender Founder and organiser of Wise Fest 2023, Tom Ward: “Wise Bartender has specialised in alcohol-free drinks since our launch back in 2017. We offer people a choice about what they want to drink. 

"We stock over 600 products to meet the growing demand for alcohol-free beer, cider, wine, spirits, cocktails and kombuchas and know from research that over a quarter (29%) of UK drinkers now 'semi-regularly' consume low and no alcohol products. The quality has increased and improved dramatically over the last several years and there's now an incredible range of full-flavoured alcohol-free drinks that are perfect to enjoy on a sunny summer's day. We feel that Wise Fest is the perfect way of exploring and discovering some new gems alongside enjoying some old favourites in a relaxed and enjoyable setting with the whole family.”

One of the highlights of Wise Fest 2023 will be tutored tasting sessions, all hosted by drinks experts. “For those who want to know a little more about the range of alcohol-free drinks and finding some new alcohol-free must-have drinks, we're genuinely thrilled to welcome some of the most knowledgeable experts in the category who'll be leading tasting sessions” Tom went on to say.

“Leading wine expert and founder of the world alcohol-free awards, Chrissie Parkinson, social media personality Emma Newman (@Emma_Sobersonic) and Club Soda beer expert Teddy Hardman will all be taking guests through sampling sessions at free tastings throughout the day. 

"Among the alcohol-free drinks available to try will be beers from Big Drop Brewing, Butcombe and Clean Break Brewing; spirit alternatives from Caleño, Myth Spirits, Ish Spirits and Mahala Spirit; wine from McGuigan's and Not Guilty and Maiden Mill, which is the world's only dedicated alcohol-free cider producer.”

Everyone is welcome at Wise Fest 2023, as are dogs on leads, with a wide range of alcohol-free drinks available plus BBQ and ice creams. Live music will be provided by local artists Eddie Dean, 34 South Duo and John Lime Acoustic and you may even catch a glimpse of the Caleño Brazilian dancers!

There is plentiful parking and admission to Wise Fest 2023 is free on the gate, but advance tickets can be ordered for £5 which will include a free drink at the event and a free glass to take home with you.

Wise Fest 2023 is on Saturday 15th July 2023

Wayside Farm, Evercreech, Somerset, BA4 6QW from 12noon-10pm

Wise Fest 2023 Tickets, Sat 15 Jul 2023 at 12:00 | Eventbrite

Wise Bartender Shares List of Muslim-Friendly Mocktails and Alcohol-Free Drinks

With a stunning range of over 450 alcohol-free products in stock, Wise Bartender publishes categories that enable customers to reference specific dietary requirements including gluten-free, vegan, low sugar and has now added Muslim-friendly to its website.

Tom Ward, founder of Wise Bartender said: “We are always responsive to the needs of our customers and noticed that we were starting to get queries asking which of our alcohol-free drinks were Muslim-friendly. 

"Especially, we realised there's a demand for refreshing drinks that are lower in sugar than some of the options traditionally drunk after sunset during Ramadan. We have initially identified 20 suitable products, including a range of mocktails and have set up a separate category to readily identify those drinks that are Muslim-friendly.”

 For anyone who wants to explore alcohol-free drinks but wants to try a variety rather than buying one option in bulk, Wise Bartender differs from most other online retailers by selling individual bottles or cans rather than requiring a multiple unit or case purchase. 

It also offers a Price Promise which matches the price of in-stock products offered on identical terms by other online retailers, reinforcing its competitive pricing and giving customers confidence that if they shop with Wise Bartender they are getting the best deal possible, or they can claim the difference back.

“By classifying drinks as Muslim-friendly, I hope that Wise Bartender can provide a more efficient service for our Muslim customers” added Tom Ward “but if anyone has any questions, we can be contacted by phone (0333 050 1068), email or via our online chat function.”

https://wisebartender.co.uk.