With the remote poised to press play on a Summer overflowing with British sporting drama, what better time to show your support in true patriotic style, by sipping on on of your favourite quintessentially British cocktail recipes. Whether you’re serving up a refreshing gin-based cocktail to baste in an afternoon of Wimbledon, want something to keep the ball rolling through an evening of football mania, or something to calm the nerves as our Olympic athletes battle for gold, we’ve got an array of recipes in support of the home team.
Tom Collins
Kicking things off, naturally a Gin powered cocktail takes its place on the start line. As its name points out, this cocktail was originally made with Old Tom Gin. However, preferred for its dryness, London Dry gin is popularly used in the recipe today. Whatever you opt for completely depends on your preferences.
Ingredients
50ml gin
25ml lemon juice
35ml sugar syrup
Top soda water
Method
With ice, shake the gin, lemon and sugar before straining into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry.
Bramble
A true ambassador of British drinking culture, the Bramble has found its way onto cocktail menus across bistros and pubs afar! It’s a real crowd pleasure, which sets you up to ace your summer soiree every time.
Ingredients
35ml gin
20ml lemon juice
1tsp sugar syrup
15ml blackberry liqueur
Garnish – Slice of lemon and a blackberry
Method
Fill a tumbler glass with crushed ice and then simply add all the ingredients. Stir to combine and garnish with a lemon slice and blackberry to serve.
Gimlet
Continuing this heavily gin-focused menu, the Gimlet is a classic British cocktail featuring the unbeatable union of citrus and botanical flavours for a winning, refreshing combination.
Ingredients
50ml London Dry gin
20ml lime juice
15ml sugar syrup
Garnish – Lime wheel
Method
Combine the ingredients in a shaker filled with ice and shake. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish the glass with a lime wheel.
Pimm’s
You won’t make it far in British Summer Time while trying to avoid a glass or two of Pimm’s. Resisting only makes it harder, so grab a couple oranges, a punnet of strawberries and wear the British flag with pride as you sink down this dangerously drinkable British icon.
Ingredients (for 3-4 servings)
200 ml Pimm’s No.1
600ml lemonade
Mint sprigs, cucumber, oranges, strawberries
Method
Slice up the fruits and fill a jug with ice, mint, and the sliced fruit. Pour over the Pimm’s and lemonade and give it a good stir before serving.
Martini
While the true origins of the Martini is unclear, many early variations particularly as the drink transferred into the dry version that we know it as today, stemmed from London. While presenting fairly sweet beginnings, the addition of London dry gin started the shift towards progressively drier, dirtier and even filthy martinis that bartenders strive for today.
Ingredients
50ml gin or vodka
25ml Vermouth
Garnish – lemon twist or olives
Method
Despite Bond’s preferences, stirred is classically the preferred method of preparation, while shaking provides a more diluted drink. Stir Gin and Vermouth in a mixing glass with ice and strain into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with a lemon peel twist or olives to serve.
While this presents the classic Martini recipe, the ratio of gin to vermouth and incorporation of vodka and modifiers like brine and bitters are much contested and it depends on your personal taste. In order to work out how to order your Martini, take a look at our guide on Martini Styles.
Espresso Martini
For something a little punchier slipping into the evening, the Espresso Martini is a Brit’s best friend. Allegedly bartender Dick Bradsell mixed the cocktail up for an up and coming super model who wanted something that would “Wake me up, then f***k me up”. With this in mind it’s no doubt it fits in so elegantly into British drinking culture…
Ingredients:
25ml Freshly brewed espresso
25ml Vodla
25ml simple syrup
Garnish – 3 coffee beans
Method
Add ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until the outside of the shaker becomes cold. Remove the ice by straining into a glass, before returning the ingredients to a shaker without ice and shaking again, for an extra frothy drink.
Strain into a chilled Martini glass and garnish with 3 coffee beans to serve.
Gin & Tonic
Of course, no British cocktail lineup can be complete without the timeless Gin and Tonic. With countless variations, flavours and combinations it can be hard to select your top contender. Have a peak at our guide to Gin and tonic flavour parings to work out your perfect pairing.
Whether you’re hosting a Wimbledon party or cheering for gold, bring it home in true British style and give these iconic quintessential cocktails a shot.
