Some of the early recipes came from the excellent http://www.idrink.com/ site (now, it seems, defunct), and latterly The Webtender; I've tinkered with them to suit what I had in at the time and standardised the measures. 1 shot = 25ml (approx. 1 fl oz / 1 oz). Also included are a growing number of my own. Latest and best source is The SauceGuide to Cocktails (see books section).
This applies to all recipes, unless otherwise stated.
As this is a careful selection of cocktails that I've personally enjoyed, don't expect to see a broad range of scoring. I've scored out of 10, with the following scale in mind:
Halves added to an integer indicate (obviously!) a between-category drink.
* indicates an original recipe.
| Ingredients | Instructions/Comments | Glass/Rating |
| ½ shot Cointreau 1 dash Grenadine 2 shots 151 rum 2 shots triple sec 2 shots vodka |
This is
surprisingly easy to drink. You can leave out the Cointreau, also I just
used ordinary dark rum with a good dash of 151.
|
Tumbler |
| 1½ shots gin 1½ tsp lemon juice ¾ shot cherry liqueur |
A sophisticated drink that achieves the perfect balance between sweet and sour. |
Tumbler 7 |
| 1 shot Tanqueray Export Strength gin ¾ shot Amaretto ½ shot Maraschino liqueur tonic water, to top up |
Shake the first 3 ingredients with ice and strain into a Collins glass, then top up with tonic water. Stir gently. A great summer cocktail. |
Collins 8 |
|
2 shots Disaronno 1 shot grenadine 1 shot lemon juice |
My own mix of a classic - a simple drink with complex flavours and a wonderful balance. |
Martini 9 |
| 2 shots
Teacher's whisky 1 shot Calvados 2 shots apple juice ¾ shot lemon juice ¾ shot sugar syrup ½ shot butterscotch schnapps |
The name says it all! |
Martini 8 |
| ½ shot crème de
cassis 2 shots Calvados juice of an orange |
A great mixture of fruit flavours - the usual pungent power of Calvados is here tamed. |
Collins 7 |
|
2 shots lemon vodka 1 shot Sourz apple liqueur 1 shot apple juice | A well-flavoured apple Martini. |
Martini 8 |
| 1 shot gin 1 shot crème de cassis 1 shot dry vermouth |
Fantastic flavour combination - very sophisticated, yet upfront fruity too. |
Martini 9 |
| 2 tsp brandy 1½ shots gin 1 tsp lemon juice ½ shot triple sec |
Quite classy with a nice warm kick. |
Tumbler 7½ |
|
1½ shots dark rum 1½ shots Disaronno ½ shot lemon juice ¼ shot sugar syrup cinnamon, for rimming |
A truly exquisite daiquiri with a beguiling flavour. |
Martini 9½ |
|
1½ shots cognac ½ shot Sourz apple ½ shot ginger wine ½ shot sweet vermouth ¼ shot Cointreau ¼ shot Goldschlager |
A rich and warming autumn drink. |
Martini 8 |
| 2 shots black vodka ½ shot crème de cassis ¼ shot Grenadine ¼ shot lime juice |
A killer drink! The cassis preens itself whilst the lime juice counters, resulting in a high. |
Martini 9 |
|
2 shots Tanqueray gin ¼ shot crème de mure (blackberry liqueur) ¼ shot dry vermouth |
A combination of three perfumed drinks always looked like being a winner. | Martini 8½ |
|
2 shots Zubrowka Bison Grass vodka ½ shot crème de mure (blackberry liqueur) ½ shot lime juice 1 tsp fine sugar or sweetener |
This is most certainly not a waste of the vodka - its own richness lifts the blackberry to new heights. | Martini 9 |
|
1½ shots Scotch 1 shot Kahlua ½ shot triple sec ¼ shot lemon juice |
One of those classically-balanced mixes that pits the coffee liqueur against the lemon juice: the result is a triumphant draw! | Martini 8 |
| 1 shot cherry
liqueur 2 shot gin 2 dashes lemon juice |
Surprisingly subtle. |
Martini 7½ |
| 2 shots
gin 1 shot Opal Nera ½ shot dry vermouth ¼ shot lemon juice ¼ shot sugar syrup |
A killer martini that perfectly showcases the warming subtle flavours of the Opal Nera. |
Martini 9 |
| 1½ shots white
rum 1 shot blue curacao ¼ shot lime juice |
My own version of a classic |
Martini 8 |
| 1½ shots vodka 1 shot blue curacao ¼ shot lemon juice |
My own version of a classic |
Martini 7½ |
| 2 shots white rum 1 shot sweet vermouth ½ shot blue curacao dash Benedictine |
This is a blue of my own; devised very spur-of-the-moment, I'm rather pleased with the result. |
Martini 8 |
| 1 tsp Benedictine 1 twist lemon 1½ shots Scotch 1½ shots vermouth |
Add the twist of lemon peel to the final drink. |
Martini 8 |
| 1 shot
Midori 1 shot Malibu 1 shot spiced rum dash 151 proof rum |
A taste of the Caribbean. |
Martini 8 |
| 2 shots bourbon (I
used Jim Beam) 1 shot sweet vermouth good dash of Drambuie |
A good balance of sweet/sour, often the mark of a good cocktail. This is one of my own. |
Tumbler 7½ |
| 3 shots bourbon 1 shot dry vermouth 1 shot Cointreau |
Another original |
Tumbler 7 |
|
1¼ shots crème de cassis 1 shot black vodka ½ shot La Fée Verte absinthe ½ shot dry vermouth ¾ shot lemon juice |
Named after the colour, this will certainly leave a mark on your sobriety ;-) |
Martini 8 |
| ½ shot Grenadine juice of an orange 1½ shots Malibu 1½ shots dark rum 1½ shots light rum |
This was one of the best cocktails I've yet had - exotic, sunny and oh-so-drinkable! | Collins 9 |
|
1 shot Chambord raspberry liqueur 1 shot peach schnapps ½ shot coconut rum ½ shot white rum 1½ shot freshly squeezed orange juice ½ shot freshly squeezed lemon juice |
The raspberry goes for an exotic holiday and meets some exciting new friends! Hugely fruit-driven mix, on the sweet side but still well-balanced. | Martini 9 |
| 2 shots Jim Beam 1 shot cherry brandy 1 shot lemon juice ½ shot grenadine |
Nicely balanced - the lemon removes any hint of 'cloy' from the cherry brandy.. | Martini 8½ |
| 2½ shots Teachers
whisky ½ shot cherry liqueur ½ shot Amaretto ½ shot lemon juice ¼ shot sugar syrup |
Unctuous, yet well-balanced. | Martini 8½ |
| 1 shot
Finlandia cranberry vodka 1 shot vanilla vodka ½ shot chocolate Schnapps 1 shot dry vermouth 1 shot cranberry juice cocoa powder, for rimming |
A classy combination - chocolate and cranberry are natural partners. Well worth the extra trouble to rim the glass too. | Martini 8½ |
| 1½ shots Teichenné
chocolate schnapps 1 shot ginger wine 1 shot vodka |
This is one of my own - just like liquid plain chocolate gingers. | Martini 7 |
| 2 shots
Finlandia lime vodka ¾ shot fresh lime juice 1 shot chocolate schnapps |
OK, there's no cream, but it tastes remarkably reminiscent of the eponymous chocolate! | Martini 8 |
|
2½ shots aged cachaça ½ shot Chambord raspberry liqueur ½ shot coffee liqueur ½ shot lime juice |
Latest in the series,the two flavours are a classic combo and, in these proportions, work with the cachaça without dominating. | Martini 9 |
| 1½
shots lemon vodka ¾ shot Cointreau ½ shot Rose's lime cordial 1½ shots cranberry juice 2 dashes Angostura bitters |
My own mix of a popular neo-classic. | Martini 9 |
|
1½ shots bourbon 1½ shots cranberry juice 1 shot Sourz apple |
Fruity and full-flavoured, with hints of marzipan. | Martini 8½ |
| 1½
shots Finlandia cranberry vodka ¾ shot raspberry liqueur ½ shot Sisca Creme de Cassis 1½ shots cranberry juice |
A delicious full-on fruit assault - an original. | Martini 9 |
| 2 shots white (or aged) rum ½ lime, cut into quarters 2 tsp demerara sugar |
Muddle the lime and sugar in the base of
a cocktail shaker then add ice and rum. Shake well and fine-strain (or not,
as desired) into glass. Basically the same as my Pisco Sour, yet the rum doesn't quite have it. Still good though. |
Martini 9 |
| ½ shot triple sec ½ shot dry vermouth 1 shot vodka twist lemon |
A sophisticated little number that really worked well. | Martini 7½ |
| 1½
shots bourbon ¾ shot peach schnapps ½ shot cherry brandy 1½ shots cranberry juice |
The cranberry juice really does the business here with balance. A bittersweet concoction of my own. | Martini 8½ |
| 1¼ shots gin 1¼ shots dry sherry ¾ shot dry vermouth ½ shot elderflower cordial |
Dry and interesting with just a nice hint of elderflower. | Martini 8½ |
| 2½ shots light rum
½ shot elderflower cordial ½ shot Rose's lime |
A light English twist on a classic drink. | Martini 8½ |
| 2½ shots vodka ½ shot lemon juice ½ shot elderflower cordial ½ shot dry vermouth |
Delightfully refreshing. | Martini 8½ |
| ½ shot cherry
liqueur dash lemon juice 1 tsp lime juice 1½ shots tequila |
Nicely balanced - best with gold tequila. | Coupette 8 |
| ½ shot lemon
juice 2 shots dark rum 4 shots tonic |
Do try this, surprisingly good! | Collins 7½ |
| 2 dashes bitters 2 shots bourbon 1 twist lemon ¼ tsp superfine sugar ½ tsp triple sec |
A connoisseur's drink! | Tumbler 8½ |
| ¾ shot
Benedictine ¼ shot lemon juice ¼ shot triple sec ¾ shot Calvados |
A real mouth-blaster, you'll not want more than one! | Martini 8 |
| 3/4 shot Midori
melon liqueur 3/4 shot Frangelico 3/4 shot Galliano 1.5 shots concentrated soya milk 1/2 tsp raspberry liqueur |
My own variation on a similar mix, this surprising combination of flavours works well with each individual flavour detectable amidst an harmonious whole. | Martini 7 |
| 2 shots gin ½ shot ginger wine ¼ shot sweet vermouth |
Definitely best "shaken, not stirred", this is a nice twist on the Martini - with a hint of warming ginger on the finish. | Martini 8 |
| 2 shots gin 1 shot ginger wine Dash lime Tonic water |
Shake with ice and strain; double the volume with tonic. | Martini 7½ |
| 1 shot Teichenné peach schnapps 1 shot Cointreau ½ shot vodka ½ shot white rum 1/8 shot absinthe tonic water |
Shake all the alcohol with ice and strain into a tall glass. Top up with cold tonic water
to double the volume. A fascinatingly complex mixture of tastes - the peach versus the hint of anise from the absinthe is particularly good. |
Collins 9½ |
| ½ shot Green
Chartreuse ½ shot apricot liqueur ½ shot amaretto ½ shot dry vermouth 1 shot vodka |
A surprising mêlée of flavours - an original created from experimenting with shooters. | Martini 8½ |
| 12 mint leaves 2 shots white rum 2 shots Frangelico Hazelnut liqueur 1 shot Rose's lime cordial ½ shot sugar syrup ice top up with tonic or soda water |
Muddle (bruise
with a blunt instrument) mint leaves in the cocktail shaker then add the
next 4 ingredients with some ice and shake well. Fine-strain into a Collins
glass (tall, straight) containing a few ice cubes then top up with
tonic/soda and stir. The combination of flavours here is a revelation. Based on the Mojito (similar formulation without the Frangelico), this pits sweetish roast nut against tangy citrus with the rum holding the whole thing together. A great drink! |
Collins 9½ |
| 2 shots vodka 1 shot Frangelico Hazelnut liqueur ½ shot dry vermouth |
My own recipe after trying various others, this is a good way to taste the Frangelico's nutty character without too much intervention from other flavours. | Martini 8 |
| 1½ shots gin ¾ shot Green Chartreuse ¾ shot sweet vermouth |
There are loads of versions of this kind of drink under various names, but this is my own mix that I think balances the flavours nicely. Try exchanging some or all of the sweet vermouth for dry if you prefer a drier drink – useful for an unusual aperitif... | Martini 7½ |
| 1 shot
lemon vodka 1 shot Opal Nera ½ shot Sourz apple ½ shot ginger wine ½ shot lemon juice |
Something of a mouthful, but none the worse for it! | Martini 8½ |
| 2½ shots
cachaça ½ lime, cut into quarters 2 tsp demerara sugar |
Muddle the lime and sugar in the base of
a cocktail shaker then add ice and cachaça. Shake well and fine-strain (or
not, as desired) into ice-filled glass. This is my own method - the drink should be topped with crushed ice and consumed through a straw, but this gives a good flavour without the hassle. |
Tumbler 9½ |
|
2 shots Disaronno 1 shot dry sherry 1 shot lime juice |
A surprising and delicious flavour combo. | Martini 9 |
| 2 shots
Finlandia lime vodka ¾ shot fresh lime juice ¾ shot elderflower cordial ½ shot Rose's lime cordial |
Richly-flavoured and well-balanced - super-refreshing, too! Tastes somewhere between Alsace gewurztraminer and good New World riesling. | Martini 8½ |
|
2 shots gin ½ shot dry vermouth ½ shot maraschino liqueur |
Utilising the wonderful maraschino liqueur, this mix of my own is a rich, yet dry drink, tasting nicely of the maraschino without being at all cloying. | Martini 8½ |
| 2 shots
gold (reposado) tequila 1 shot triple sec (or ¾ shot Cointreau) 1 shot Rose's lime cordial |
My interpretation of one of the classics. | Coupette 9 |
| 2 shots reposado
tequila ¾ shot Cointreau ½ lime, cut into quarters 1 tsp demerara sugar salt, for rimming |
Muddle the lime and sugar in the base of
a cocktail shaker then add ice and
tequila. Shake well and fine-strain (or not,
as desired) into salt-rimmed glass. The finest mix of a perfect drink! |
Coupette 9½ |
| 2 shots white rum 1 shot Midori ½ shot Roses lime cordial |
A useful introduction to Midori, the flavour mixes nicely with rum. | Martini 8 |
| 2 shots
gold tequila 1 shot Midori 1 shot Rose's lime cordial |
A pleasant variation on a classic. | Coupette 8 |
| 12 mint leaves 1½ tsp demerara sugar ½ lime, cut into quarters 2 shots white or golden rum top up with tonic or soda water |
Muddle (bruise
with a blunt instrument) mint leaves in the cocktail shaker then add the
sugar and lime continue. Add ice and the rum and shake well. Fine-strain into a Collins
glass (tall, straight) containing a few ice cubes then top up with
tonic/soda and stir. When correctly made, drinks don't come any better! A perfect summer drink. |
Collins 10 |
| ¾ shot Calvados ¾ shot Benedictine ¾ shot vodka 2 shots concentrated soya milk |
An elusive flavour, initially, but apple does come through - one of my own. | Martini 8 |
| ¾ shot Teichenné
peach schnapps ¾ shot Drambuie ½ shot Scotch whisky ¼ shot cherry liqueur 3 dashes Angostura bitters |
Quite a sweetie, but not cloyingly so - an excellent showcase for the schnapps. | Tumbler 8½ |
|
1½ shots cognac ¾ shot Grand Marnier ½ shot La Fée Verte absinthe ½ shot Cointreau ¾ shot lemon juice |
Standing for'New Absinthe Classic', this tastes like a modern twist on a more retro classic. Slightly dry and sour, it would make a tasty alternative aperitif. | Martini 8½ |
| 2½
shots cachaça ½ shot Cointreau ½ shot coconut rum ½ shot lemon juice |
Interesting mix of tropical flavours sit nicely within the distinctive palette of the cachaça. | Martini 8½ |
|
2 shots light rum ¾ shot golden rum ½ shot lime juice ½ shot freshly squeezed orange juice ½ shot Cointreau ½ tsp sugar 4 dashes Fee Brothers orange bitters | A huge blast of orange flavour from this classy twist on the classic. I put together this mix after tasting one in London's LAB bar. | Martini 9½ |
| 2 shots white rum 1 shot Teichenné peach schnapps ½ shot sweet vermouth ½ shot lime juice |
An unusual variation on a classic. | Martini 8½ |
| 1¾
shots gin 1 shot Opal Nera ¾ shot peach schnapps ½ shot lemon juice |
A rich and complex drink. | Martini 9 |
| 2½
shots cachaça ½ shot Xanté pear liqueur ½ shot Amaretto ½ shot lemon juice |
A heavenly combination of flavours allowing full expression of the distinctive flavour of the cachaça, yet tempered with the sweeter notes of the pear and almond liqueurs and the sour hint of lemon. This packs a nice punch! | Martini 9½ |
|
2 shots lime vodka ½ shot Xante pear liqueur ½ shot lime juice 1 tsp sugar ¼ shot dry vermouth |
A tidy combination, the lime seems to intensify and refine the blast of pear. | Martini 8½ |
|
1½ shots white rum ½ shot chocolate schnapps 1 shot cranberry juice |
Delicately pink, like young rose wine, and dangerously drinkable. Try as a shot or shaken with ice and strained into a martini glass. | Shot/Martini 8 |
|
2 - 3 shots Tanqueray Export Strength gin 4 - 5 drops Angostura bitters 4 - 8 ice cubes, depending on size tonic water, to top up |
No need to shake this, simply stir in the glass! A perfect drink after a hard afternoon in a hot garden, this is classic summertime refreshment. And it's well worth making with your best gin! | Collins 8½ |
| 2½ shots pisco# ½ lime, cut into quarters 2 tsp demerara sugar |
Muddle the lime and sugar in the base of
a cocktail shaker then add ice and pisco. Shake well and fine-strain (or
not, as desired) into ice-filled glass. #pisco is the national spirit of Chile - there is no adequate substitute This is my own mix - some add egg-white, others use lemon. An amazingly subtle and complex drink that draws every nuance of flavour from the pisco. |
Tumbler 10 |
|
2 shots gold (reposado) tequila 1 shot Chambord raspberry liqueur 1 shot fresh lime juice |
A simple mix based on flavours that simply work well together. Raspberry is the best fruit flavour, next to orange, that matches tequila. | Martini 8½ |
| 2 shots gold
tequila 1 shot raspberry liqueur ½ shot peach schnapps ¾ shot lemon juice ¼ shot sugar syrup |
A wonderful combination. | Martini 8½ |
| 1½ shots gin ½ shot sweet vermouth ½ shot dry vermouth 1 tsp Benedictine |
A delicious alternative to the sweet Martini. | Martini 9 |
| 1½ shots tequila 1 shot Teichenné chocolate schnapps 1½ shots concentrated soya milk ¼ shot raspberry liqueur |
Ultra smooth with a nice hint of raspberry. | Martini 9 |
| 2 shots Teachers
whisky ¾ shot Galliano 1 shot dry sherry (fino/manzanilla) 2 dashes Angostura bitters |
I’ve plagiarised the name from the eponymous DJ (hope she doesn’t mind!) to highlight the fact that this mix really brings out the smoky Islay notes from the whisky – a rather sophisticated cocktail that I’m rather pleased with! | Martini 8½ |
| 1 shot
Finlandia lime vodka ¾ shot fresh lime juice ¾ shot raspberry liqueur ¾ shot Amaretto ½ shot Sisca creme de cassis |
Amazing flavour combo! Very special indeed. | Martini 9 |
|
2 shots white rum 1 shot golden rum 2 shots coconut rum 1 shot Amaretto 1 shot Cointreau juice of 1 lemon juice of 1 orange 3 dashes orange bitters |
Enough for 2 people, I nevertheless consume the lot - a gorgeously exotic drink to put paid to any activity bar rest. Variant: Green day Replace the Cointreau with blue curacao and add an extra dash of orange bitters to provide a fascinating colour and extra edge. |
Collins 9½ |
| 3 shots Green
Chartreuse 1 shot Rose’s lime cordial 5 shots pineapple juice |
Serve over ice. Don’t be put off by the name – it may even look a bit dodgy, but it’s a more gentle introduction to the assertive flavours of Green Chartreuse than some other drinks. |
Collins 8 |
| 2 shots Teachers
whisky ½ shot raspberry liqueur ½ shot sweet vermouth dash Rose’s lime cordial dash Angostura bitters |
Named for the combination of colours, the raspberry sits nicely alongside the whisky's smoky palate. | Martini 8 |
| 1½ shots Scotch 1 shot sweet vermouth ½ shot Benedictine 1 twist of lemon peel |
Similar to the Bobby Burns, but the proportions are quite different, giving more emphasis to the Benedictine - a winner. | Martini 9 |
| 2 shots Teachers whisky ½ shot Calvados ½ shot peach schnapps 3 shots apple juice |
Referring, of course, to the high apple content, this is refreshing and easy-drinking - serve over ice. | Collins 7½ |
| 2 shots Teachers ½ shot Frangelico ½ shot peach schnapps ½ shot apple juice ½ shot lime juice |
A shorter version of the Teachers Pet with added nutty interest. | Martini 8 |
| 2½ shots gold tequila 1 shot dry vermouth ½ shot sugar syrup 3 dashes Angostura bitters |
A sophisticated martini for tequila fans - the flavour goes so well with the bitters. | Martini 9 |
|
1 shot La Fée Verte absinthe 2 shots Sourz apple liqueur ½ shot Cointreau 3 dashes Angostura bitters |
Looks like pressed apple juice, but... | Martini 9 |
|
¾ shot Grand Marnier ¾ shot triple sec ¾ shot Galliano 2 shots concentrated soya milk |
The original recipe was for 1½ shots Cointreau or triple sec, but the Grand Marnier adds a little extra orange-peel intensity. The whole drink is somehow reminiscent of liquid ice-cream. | Martini 8½ |
| ¾ shot Green
Chartreuse ¾ shot Benedictine ¾ shot Calvados 1 shot water ½ tsp sugar syrup 2 dashes Angostura bitters |
A powerful and delicious combination. | Martini 9 |
|
1¼ shots vodka 1 shot peach schnapps ½ shot La Fée Verte absinthe ½ shot Amaretto ¾ shot lemon juice |
A favourite pairing, anise and peach, meet once again in an oddly fluorescent yellow drink. | Martini 8 |