The Cuba Libre dates back to the early 1900s and is closely tied to Cuba’s history, with its name meaning “Free Cuba.” It became popular as American influence brought cola to the island. At its core, it is rum, cola, and lime, but that last ingredient makes all the difference. The lime lifts the drink
The White Russian builds on the Black Russian, adding cream to create a softer, richer version. It became widely known in the late twentieth century and has remained a favourite ever since. The addition of cream transforms the drink completely, turning it into something smooth and indulgent. It is simple, but that contrast between coffee
The Black Russian dates back to the late 1940s and was created in Brussels for the American ambassador, which is where the name comes from. Despite its simplicity, it quickly became a staple of mid century cocktail culture. Made with vodka and coffee liqueur, it is a straightforward, spirit forward drink with a rich, slightly
The Bijou is a nineteenth century cocktail whose name means jewel in French, referring to the colours of its ingredients. It combines gin, vermouth, and green Chartreuse. It is richer and more herbal than many gin classics, with a depth that comes from the Chartreuse. The balance is bold and distinctive, making it a drink
The Gimlet has its origins in the British Royal Navy, where sailors were given lime juice to prevent scurvy and mixed it with gin to make it more palatable. Over time, it evolved into one of the cleanest and most enduring classic cocktails. Traditionally made with gin and lime, it is all about sharpness and
The East 8 Holdup is a modern classic created by Kevin Armstrong in London in the early 2000s, named after the postcode of the bar where it was first served. It quickly became a favourite during the city’s cocktail revival. It combines vodka, passion fruit, lime, sugar, and a touch of aperitif, creating a drink
The El Presidente is a Cuban cocktail that dates back to the early twentieth century, named in honor of the country’s political leaders. It became especially popular during Havana’s golden age. Made with rum, dry vermouth, orange liqueur, and a touch of grenadine, it is elegant and slightly aromatic. The balance is delicate, leaning more
The Jack Rose is a classic American cocktail from the early twentieth century, closely associated with applejack, one of the country’s earliest distilled spirits. It was widely enjoyed before and during Prohibition and even appeared in classic literature of the time. Combining applejack, lemon or lime, and grenadine, it sits firmly in the sour family
The Caipirinha is Brazil’s national cocktail, with roots that trace back to rural communities where cachaça was widely produced and consumed. It began as a simple mixture, sometimes even used for medicinal purposes, before evolving into the iconic drink it is today. Made with cachaça, lime, and sugar, it relies entirely on the quality of
The Champagne Cocktail is one of the earliest recorded cocktails, appearing in the mid nineteenth century when bitters, sugar, and spirits were the foundation of most drinks. Adding Champagne turned it into something more celebratory without losing that classic structure. A sugar cube soaked in bitters is topped with Champagne and often finished with a