Today I want to bring you a list of great British cocktails. I’ve already written about English drinks and Scottish drinks, and now I want to dig deeper into the topic by sharing some more quintessential tipples with you. Read on for A Lady in London’s guide to the best British cocktails.
British Cocktails
These traditional British beverages range from classic London cocktails to Welsh favorites and Scottish staples. Whether you like tried-and-tested recipes or experimental blends, there’s a drink for you.
From the famous hotel bars in London to the speakeasies in Scotland and the pubs in Northern Ireland, they’ll show you the best British cocktails around.
Books on British Cocktails
If you want a British cocktail recipe book to help you make some of these drinks, I recommend The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book: Appropriate Libations for All Occasions.
The book is based on the characters and traditions of the TV show and movie Downton Abbey, and it’s a great one for classic drinks. If you’re in the UK, you can get it here. If you’re in the US, you can get it here.
1. Martini
First on my list of British cocktails is the martini. From the Breakfast Martini to the Espresso Martini, a lot of martini drinks were invented in London.
The Breakfast Martini was invented in the 1990s by legendary bartender Salvatore Calabrese. He created the cocktail while working at the Library Bar at The Lanesborough hotel in London.
Made with gin, triple sec, lemon juice, and a spoonful of English marmalade, it’s perfect for channeling your inner Paddington bear.
The Espresso Martini was created by celebrated mixologist Dick Bradsell in the 1980s. He invented this British cocktail while working at the Soho Brasserie.
Consisting of vodka, a shot of espresso, sugar syrup, and splashes of Tia Maria and Kahlua, it’s just the drink to wake you up and help you get the party started.
The Vesper Martini is another London classic. It’s rumored to have been created by writer Ian Fleming (of James Bond fame). The cocktail is said to have been influenced by his trips to Dukes Bar at Dukes hotel in St James’s in the 1950s.
Made with three shots of gin, one shot of vodka, and half a shot of Lillet Blanc, the Vesper Martini is the quintessential James Bond cocktail.
Whichever martini you prefer, these British cocktails will take you on a virtual tour of London’s best cocktail bars.
2. Drambuie Cocktails
Next on my list of British cocktails are the Drambuie cocktails. Drambuie is a golden-colored Scottish liqueur made from infusing Scotch with a blend of heather honey, herbs, and spices.
The name derives from the Scots Gaelic term “An Dram Buidheach”, which means “the drink that satisfies”. At 40% ABV, it had better.
Drambuie’s origins are reputed to date back to the 18th century, when Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Royal Apothecary created a secret recipe for him.
The prince brought it to Britain in 1745 and shared it with Clan MacKinnon after they helped him escape Scotland following his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
The liqueur was consumed locally on the Isle of Skye until the early 20th century, when the Drambuie Liquor Company Ltd set up shop in Edinburgh.
The company was owned by the MacKinnon family for 100 years before being acquired by William Grant & Sons in 2014.
Made in West Lothian, Drambuie is found in a number of British cocktails. The fizzy Drambuie Collins is made with Drambuie, lemon juice, soda water, and mint. A refreshing drink, it’s served in a classic collins glass.
Another Drambuie cocktail is the Hootenanny. Served in a beer glass, it’s made with Drambuie, pink grapefruit juice, wheat beer, and mint leaves.
But perhaps the most famous Drambuie cocktail is the Rusty Nail. It’s made by mixing Drambuie and Scotch, and it’s usually served over ice.
3. Red Dragon Cocktail
Next on my list of British cocktails is the Red Dragon. This one hails from Wales and is reflective of the famous heraldic symbol on the Welsh flag.
The Red Dragon cocktail is made with gin, Grand Marnier, blood orange juice, grenadine, and lemon juice. Served in a martini glass, this brightly-colored drink is a great one for St David’s Day.
4. Ginger Paddy
The next British cocktail on my list is the Ginger Paddy. This one was created at The Goat’s Toe in Bangor, Northern Ireland.
The Ginger Paddy cocktail is the venue’s take on the classic Jameson, Ginger & Lime cocktail. It consists of Jameson Black Barrel, lime juice, sugar syrup, and fresh ginger emulsion. This drink is served in a tumbler glass with one or two ice cubes.
5. Pimm’s
No list of British cocktails would be complete without Pimm’s. It’s my favorite British summer drink, not least because it’s packed with seasonal fruit.
This cocktail is made from Pimm’s No. 1, a gin-based liqueur flavored with herbs, spices, and caramelized orange.
It’s blended with lemonade (that’s carbonated lemon soda for non-Brits), poured over ice, and finished with lots of mint, cucumber, orange slices, and strawberries.
Pimm’s is light and refreshing, making it the ideal drink for a summer afternoon. I love drinking Pimm’s outside at a rooftop bar or riverside pub when the sun is shining.
6. Bramble
Next on my list of British cocktails is the Bramble. Light and fruity, it’s often described as a great spring drink.
The Bramble was invented by the aforementioned Dick Bradsell in London in 1984. He created it while working at a Soho bar called Fred’s Club. Apparently the cocktail was inspired by his memories of blackberry picking on the Isle of Wight when he was a child.
The Bramble is made with dry gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, creme de mure, and crushed ice. Served in a lowball glass, it’s topped with fresh red fruit and garnished with a lemon slice.
7. Scotch Cocktails
Next up are famous Scottish cocktails made with Scotch. There are lots out there, and some have great names like the Flying Scotsman and the Robert Burns.
One famous Scotch cocktail is called the Rob Roy. This classic tipple is similar to a Manhattan, but it has a distinctly Scottish twist.
While technically created in 1894 by a bartender at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, its use of Scotch makes it Scottish at heart. The Rob Roy is made with two parts Scotch, one part sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters.
8. Gimlet
Next on my list of British cocktails is the gimlet. This classic is a refreshing number that’s easy to make and easier to drink.
While the gimlet’s origins are debated, some say the cocktail was named after Surgeon Admiral Sir Thomas Gimlette.
He reportedly invented the drink in the late 19th century when he added lime cordial to the daily gin ration of the men in the Royal Navy to prevent them from getting scurvy.
Whatever the truth is, the gimlet is made by mixing gin and lime juice. It’s usually served in a martini glass or coupe, and it’s garnished with a slice of lime. This classic drink can be served straight up or on the rocks.
9. Gin and Tonic
While not technically invented in the UK, the Gin and Tonic is such a classic British cocktail I can’t leave it off my list. This traditional tipple is a great warm-weather drink, and it’s perfect on a hot summer day.
Gin has become increasingly trendy in recent years, and there’s no shortage of British gins to pair with your favorite tonic.
From seaweed-infused gin made with algae from the Welsh coast to hand-crafted Scottish gins from the Hebrides and gin distilled in the heart of London, there are lots to choose from.
The same goes for tonic water. From English classics like Fentimans to quinine-free Scottish tonics like Cushiedoos, there’s no shortage of companies in the United Kingdom doing creative things with water.
That means that however you like your G and T, there’s a way to pour the perfect cocktail using British ingredients.
10. British Cocktails with Beer
Next on my list of British cocktails are the ones made with beer. From the Black Velvet to the Snakebite, these are great options if you can’t imagine drinking without drinking beer.
The Black Velvet was invented in London in 1861 by a bartender at Brooks’s Club to mourn the death of Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert. The dark band is supposed to symbolize the black armbands worn by mourners.
Made with equal parts sparkling white wine and stout (usually champagne and Guinness), this cocktail is often served straight up in a champagne flute.
The Snakebite is another British beer cocktail. It’s made with equal parts cider and lager, and it sometimes has a dash of blackcurrant liqueur in it.
Another British cocktail made with beer is a Black and Tan. This drink is made with equal parts pale and dark beer (ale and stout). The layering of the two beers makes the drink appear black and tan. Hence the name.
11. British Half-and-Half Cocktails
Last up are the half-and-half British cocktails. Specifically, Scotland’s classic “hauf an a hauf”. The “hauf an a hauf” (half and a half) usually refers to a half pint of lager and a dram of Scotch.
Often it’s a half of Tennent’s Lager served as a chaser to a dram of Bell’s or The Famous Grouse. While technically not a cocktail, it’s still a classic British drink pairing.
Classic British Cocktails
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about these great British cocktails. I’m sure you’ll have fun tasting them at home or at one of the UK’s many great pubs, bars, or restaurants. Cheers! Slainte mhath! Iechyd da! Slainte!
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