Around the World in a Cocktail Shaker

Are you a curious drinker with a taste for global adventure? Then we’re happy to say you’ve arrived at your destination. Of course, not all of us are lucky enough to be jet-setting world travellers, but we can bring a taste of the world into our homes.  

So, if you’re longing for places you’ve never been to (here’s looking at you, desktop travellers), we have five signature cocktails from around the world to make in the comfort of your home.  

1. Brazil: The Caipirinha

We kick off in Brazil, a popular holiday destination for adventurers and young-at-hearts. This South American country is famous for Rio de Janeiro’s lively nightlife, Sao Paulo’s art, and the Praia do Forno’s beaches. So, if you love summer (all year long), this might be your dream destination.   

If a balmy night in Brazil is your idea of a good time, grab your friends and cool down with some well-made Caipirinhas. This zesty drink is Brazil’s national cocktail and is made with real limes, sugar, and cachaça (a rum distilled from fermented sugar cane juice). It’s a refreshing drink that, when combined with ice, will shake off the heat and take you back to the beaches of Brazil. It’s a cocktail with as much zest for life as the people of this vibrant country.   

You might also like: 11 Sublime Lime Cocktails you Simply Must Try.  

2. Italy: The Negroni

This drink might just be one of Italy’s greatest hits. The Negroni is a cocktail that oozes classic old-school vibes. This slow sipper is massively popular in Italy—and has taken the world by storm. In fact, it’s so famous that it has a whole week dedicated to it.   

There are quite a few stories about where the Negroni originated. Our favourite? Picture this: it’s the early 20th century, and a young Italian gentleman is travelling to America. His name is Count Camillo Negroni. (Go ahead and make him as handsome and ripped as you like—it’s your adventure, after all). On arrival, he starts hanging out with the wrong crowd, gets into gambling, and loses all his money. He starts working on ranches, and he does so brilliantly, becoming a bit of a no-nonsense cowboy. Eventually, he returns to Italy. One day in a bar in Florence, he orders an Americano with no soda and added gin, and the Negroni is born.   

To make a Negroni fit for an Italian Cowboy, you will need equal parts Campari, Cinzano Rosso, gin, and a twist of orange to garnish. Taste-wise, you should expect a bitter and refreshing cocktail that, although quite strong, is very (very) easy to drink. Saluti!  

You might also like: Drink Like an Italian: 8 Campari Cocktails to Try.  

3. England: The Dubonnet

What’s not to love about England? You can easily disappear into the peacefulness of the vast countryside or into the hustle and bustle of London’s nightlife. It’s an art lover’s dream destination and a historian’s ultimate fantasy.  

Britain is also home to (most of) the Royal Family, Buckingham Palace, and the beloved late Queen of England (and her corgis). Rumour has it that The Dubonnet was the Queen’s favourite cocktail, and she enjoyed one daily.  

To make one, the first thing you’ll need is Dubonnet. If you don’t have any, substitute it with Vermouth Rosso. The second ingredient needed is gin, and we suggest you try a classic London dry gin like Bulldog. Once your ingredients are ready, pour 30 ml of gin into a wine glass. Add 60ml Dubbonet and a slice of lemon. Top with two large, equally-sized square ice cubes to submerge the lemon and serve.   

You might also like: The Best Gin Cocktails Ever Invented.

4. France: Kir Royale

While we’re keeping it classy, parle some française and make a Kir Royale cocktail—a sparkly Champagne drink with lovely, sweet berry notes. With just two ingredients, it is effortless and simple to make. It will be a real crowd-pleaser at dinner parties and fashionable affairs.   

While it makes sense that one of the most famous French cocktails you can make contains Champagne, heed our warning: If you’re making this and you call it a Kir Royale, make sure you use actual Champagne. The French kind. That can only be produced in France. By French people. The alternative is known as a Kir Imperial, and this version calls for sparkling wine—and trust us, there is nothing (like nothing) French about that.   

To add some joie de vivre to your evening, pour creme de cassis into a flute and top it off with your favourite dry Champagne. Finish it off with a lemon peel twist, and voila! Sophisticated, delicious, and very (very) French. Saluti! 

You might also like: Best Champagne Cocktails for Any Occasion.

5. Mexico: Paloma

Our final stop is in Mexico. If you’ve ever been here (and did it the right way), you’ll know it is an unforgettable experience. From the friendly people, the incredible tropical beaches, lush jungles, and rugged mountains to the hot desert landscapes and the food. The fire-in-your-mouth kind that needs to be washed down by a decent, cold drink.  

While many believe the Margarita to be Mexico’s most famous cocktail, they might be surprised to learn that the Paloma recently became the country’s number one drink. To get in on the action and make a Paloma, combine fresh grapefruit juice, tequila, lime juice, sugar, and soda water.   

Serve these on Taco Tuesday to calm burning mouths and to get the fiesta started. A drink and experience you’d want to share with your very best travel-thirsty amigos.  

You might also like: 13 Best Mexican Cocktails to Make at Home.