Summer is well upon us and with the recent heatwave across the country, there’s no doubt that you’d want to quench your thirst with some ice cold drinks. Whether at the pub, restaurant or in the comfort of your own home, there are multiple cocktails and drinks you should try out this season. They’re great for any occasion and they’ll help you cool down as you settle into fun, laughter and making memories with friends and loved ones. So without further ado, here are the most popular cocktails in the UK as well as pub drinks. Some can be considered tangy, while others sweet, bitter, coffee-flavoured or even fruity drinks. It all depends on what your taste buds prefer.
What are the 10 most popular cocktails?
There are literally hundreds of popular cocktails in the UK. From the classic Martini popularised by the James Bond films to a tasty Margarita. You’re certainly spoiled for choice. But perhaps the answer to the question of what is the UK’s most popular cocktail, a little bit of research reveals that this would be the “Old Fashioned”. It contains seven ingredients and costs less than £1.50 to make. What’s more is that it takes just five minutes to prepare and its beauty and popularity is simply out of this world. But this is just one cocktail. What about the top 10 cocktails in the UK? We’ve prepared this short guide to help you freshen up.
- Margarita
Whether you like it frozen or chilled, the Margarita is a timeless classic. It can be made using three ingredients. The cost of preparation is around £2.14 and it takes approximately five minutes to put together. It is highly rated for its external appearance, flavour and popularity. So, what do you need to make a Margarita? Simply gather together 1½ oz tequila, 1 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec and ¾ oz lime juice. Mix well and serve in a chilled glass that is salt rimmed. And the rest is history as they say.
- Aperol Spritz
The Aperol Spritz consists of sparkling wine, Aperol and soda water (not tonic water). And the results are incredible. You can enjoy a “bubbly, citrusy, herbal, subtly bitter and lightly sweet” delight. While it reached the height of popularity in the 2000s, it’s actually a classic from Italy from the 1950s.
- Daiquiri
Known for its beautiful external appearance, the Daiquiri is another classic cocktail you should savour. It comes in a number of different flavours including strawberry. But there are many others such as watermelon, depending on your preferences. So, what goes in the preparation of this divine cocktail? Simply bring together white rum, lime juice and watermelon liqueur (or another liqueur as per your taste buds). Garnish with a slice of fruit and enjoy.
- Mojito
Although it can take around 20 minutes to prepare a Mojito, you should also know that it costs less than £1.00 to prepare. Here’s what you’ll need: lime, rum and fresh mint. That’s it. This is an iconic Cuban cocktail that not only refreshes but also offers a lovely hint of sweetness.
- Cuba Libre
What should I drink in the summer, we hear you asking? Well, why not try a Cuba Libre? It’s another quick and easy cocktail to prepare. All you’ll need is rum, cola, lime and ice. Next up, mix and pour the ingredients into a tall glass for the ultimate refreshing long cocktail.
- Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan is another all-time favourite. To prepare it, you’ll need 1½ oz Vodka Citron, ½ oz Cointreau, ½ oz cranberry juice and ½ oz fresh lime juice. Mixing these ingredients together creates a colourful pink cocktail that refreshes like no other.
- Piña Colada
Invented in Puerto Rico, all it takes to make this delish cocktail is to take just three ingredients and make your tropical frozen Piña colada cocktail. It’s quick to prepare and all it requires is 250 ml pineapple juice, 100 ml white rum, 100 ml coconut cream and pineapple chunks (to garnish). You’ll be left with a taste adventure in your mouth as you tantalize your taste buds over a lazy summer evening or afternoon.
- Long Island Ice Tea
Wondering where it got its name from? Since a dash of cola is added to the mix, it looks just like ice tea. But the flavour is completely different. To create this taste sensation, you’ll need vodka, tequila, light rum, triple sec, gin and a splash of cola. What’s next? Mix and simply enjoy!
- Tequila Sunrise
It not only looks attractive, it’s also delicious to taste! A Tequila Sunrise consists of grenadine, tequila, triple sec and orange juice. Add a cocktail cherry and an umbrella as garnish and voila! It’s ready to be served!
- Frozen Caipirinha
Known as Brazil’s national cocktail, the Caipirinha is made with cachaça, sugar and lime. You should begin by first mixing the fruit and the sugar together, then adding the liquor. It’s a great drink that can be enjoyed to share.
5 of the most popular drinks in the UK
Whether you have a preference for alcoholic or non-alcoholic summer drinks, we’ve also got a list of some of the top most popular drinks in the UK. So, sit back, relax and enjoy.
- Ice Tea/Ice Coffee
Whether you love tea or coffee, you don’t need a smouldering hot drink at the height of summer. Luckily, there are cool versions and you can have the best of both worlds! For a refreshing lemon ice tea, gather together 1½ cups water, 2 tsp tea leaves, 2 tbsp sugar, ½ cup ice cubes, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 4-5 mint leaves and lemon slices. Next – just mix these together while adding the mint leaves and lemon slices at the end for even more refreshment.
For ice coffee, you’ll need 2 tablespoons of instant coffee, 1 glass of cold milk, 2 cubes of brown sugar, ½ a cup of cold water and 2-3 ice cubes. Simply mix the water, sugar and coffee in a blender until the coffee is fully dissolved. Add the cold milk until it’s foamy. As a final touch, add the ice cubes to the blender until crushed. You’re welcome to sprinkle grated chocolate, cocoa or cream to add extra flavours to it.
- Mango Lassi
A summertime favourite, all that you need to prepare your Mango Lassi are: dahi, fresh mango, sugar and ½ a teaspoon of cardamom powder. Then, just blend all the ingredients with a few ice cubes and serve!
- Dark and Stormy
Dark and Stormy reminds one of those cooling and looming thunderstorms that break up a summer sky. To celebrate this occasion and create this delicious drink, in a rocks glass, add 2 oz of dark rum and ¼ oz freshly squeezed lime juice. Top off with ginger beer, remembering to pour slowly. Finally, garnish with a lime wedge.
- Fruit Spritzer
Spritzers are an inevitable part of the summer drink menu. To prepare a Fruit Spritzer, you’ll need to use a highball glass in which you’ll add 3 oz Sauvignon Blanc, 1 oz elderflower liqueur and ¾ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice. Simply stir to mix the ingredients together and some club soda to top it off. Garnish with lime and orange slices.
- Good Neighbour Lemonade
And our final classic is a lemonde with a bit of a twist. For this recipe, you’ll need a lemon wedge and sugar for the rim, 2 oz tequila, 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice, ¾ oz simply syrup, ½ oz honey liqueur, ice and a mint sprig for garnish. For the rim, you’ll need to rub the rim of the glass with a lemon wedge and then dip the rim into the sugar to coat. Then, in a cocktail shaker add the ice, tequila, lemon juice, simple syrup and honey liqueur. Shake and chill. Strain into your glass and garnish with a mint sprig. From there onwards, it’s fun times ahead!
Bottoms up!
As you can see, the sheer variety of cocktails and drinks to enjoy in the UK is overwhelming. This makes the answer to the questions what is the most popular drink in the summer and what is the most refreshing drink in hot weather quite difficult because everyone’s taste buds prefer something different. However, with these classics in your beverage arsenal, you’re sure to make a lasting impression.
As you get ready to prepare for your guests’ arrival, be sure to take a look at our vast alcoholic product offering. At Superior Wines & Spirits, we believe in offering the highest quality ingredients for your alcoholic beverages so that you can make the most out of your summer. All that we can say from here onwards is simply cheers and enjoy!