After so long in quarantine, a lot of us are missing our jobs by now. In fact, leaving the house to go anywhere would be a treat. Perhaps you’re spending afternoons fondly remembering what a joyful feeling it was to finish a day of work and head to the pub with friends for a couple of cold cocktails.

Even though the pubs are closed, you can still enjoy countless cocktails from around the world in your own home! Now is a great time to pick up a new skill, so why not learn the art of mixology and become the bartender you wish you could see? 

Cocktail Recipes from Around the World

There are several drinks that would be great on a sunny summer day, and many that are meant to be sipped as you ponder where you’ll travel to first once the quarantine is lifted. 

With the right ingredients and a dash of creativity, you’ll be in good spirits in no time after trying any of these fun and flavourful cocktails from foreign destinations. From Cuba to Venice, the world is full of delicious drinks for any occasion. 

The 7 Most Popular Cocktails from Foreign Destinations

If you want to get in the holiday mindset or brush up on your bartending skills, then you’ll have to familiarise yourself with seven of the most popular cocktails in the world. These classic cocktails will have you cool as a cucumber after an afternoon of mixing up any one of these delightful drinks.

1) KIR ROYALE

Let’s start our pub crawl by hopping across the English Channel to France. This country is known for its diverse geography, from the ever-romantic capital of Paris to magnificent mountaintops and brilliant beaches along the sea.

Although it originated in Burgundy, the Kir Royale is enjoyed throughout the country. The signature liqueur that makes this drink special is crème de cassis, a dark and sweet black currant liqueur. Typically, the traditional Kir is made with white wine, but to make it the even more delectable Kir Royale, the white wine is replaced with champagne. 

Splash the bottom of your favourite flute with crème de cassis, then finish the glass with champagne and you’ll be feeling like French royalty in no time.  

2) SANGRIA

If you’re still in the mood for something sweet, let’s head to Spain for some sangria. This drink has historic roots, and can be traced back to the Roman occupation of Spain in 200 BC. During this time, vineyards were planted and absolutely flourished in the rich Mediterranean soil, giving us the world-renowned grapes that stock the Spanish wine industry today. 

Originally, sangria was enjoyed as red wine mixed with sugar and spices. Nowadays, the most popular iteration of this drink is made with red wine, brandy, spices and fruit, like oranges and berries. Just to mix things up, sangria can also be made with white wine or a bubbly beverage like champagne for a fun, effervescent experience. 

Not sure what kind of wine to pick up? We’ve got you covered.  

3) APEROL SPRITZ

Who doesn’t love a bubbly cocktail? If you travelled to Venice, Italy for happy hour you'd likely hear someone order an Aperol Spritz. Aperol is a sweet Italian liqueur made with rhubarb and spices. The ‘Spritz’ aspect of this low-calorie cocktail was first introduced in northern Italy by adding a bit of water to one’s wine. 

The Aperol Spritz we know today consists of, of course, Aperol, with club soda and prosecco over ice. Go ahead and make it official by garnishing this lively cocktail with a swirl of orange zest, as a nod to the vibrant color of the Aperol.  

4) COSMOPOLITAN

Heading across the pond, we have to make a stop in New York City for a cosmopolitan. If you’re familiar with the American cult classic TV series Sex and the City then you’ve likely heard of the cosmo. This playful variation on a martini landed its spot on cocktail menus in the late 80s and didn’t have to fight to maintain its popularity.

Vodka, triple sec and cranberry juice are shaken with ice and poured into a chilled martini glass, with a twist of citrus peel for a bit of flare. It’s pink, it’s delicious and it’s a dependable go-to whenever happy hour rolls around.  

5) MOJITO

For something a little more refreshing, we can head to Cuba for a classic mojito in Havana. The mojito has a more utilitarian history than we might have guessed for such an enjoyable drink. 

To dress up cheap rum that could be found throughout this Caribbean island, Cubans added sugarcane, lime juice and mint leaves. These three ingredients transformed a potent drink into a cocktail that takes any thirsty partygoer straight to the beach.  

6) MARGARITA

Another refreshing concoction that’s worth breaking out the blender for is the well-known and beloved margarita. While there’s not one occasion that points out its origin, its home in Mexico is certain. In fact, on 22 February each year, Mexicans celebrate this tasty and tart drink with its own national holiday. 

This drink is super simple. To make it you’ll need:

• Tequila
• Lime juice
• Orange liqueur/triple sec
• Simple syrup
• Salt
• Ice

What’s great about this drink is that you can customise it to your liking. Simply blend as much (or as little) of the ingredients together as you want and pour your beverage into a glass with a salted rim. A lot of people like to order their margarita ‘on the rocks’ - over ice - rather than blended. And if you’re in the mood for something a little more fruity, get creative and add frozen strawberries or mango. 

7) PISCO SOUR

The last drink on our roster of incredible international cocktails is the pisco sour from Peru. This drink is shaken and features egg whites, lime, Angostura bitters and pisco - a robust brandy that can be traced back to sixteenth-century Peru. This tangy drink is sour yet creamy, because of the velvety foam layer from the egg white. The pisco sour is so welcomed by Peruvians that it is nationally celebrated on the first Saturday of February each year.  

If you’re looking to add a bit of sparkle to your day, why not try a bubbly cocktail like the Spanish sangria with champagne or the Kir Royale from France? If you’re looking for something a bit more refreshing, then the Cuban mojito or Mexican margarita is the drink for you. But really, these seven cocktails from around the world are so tasty that you can’t go wrong. 

Have you made any of these popular cocktail recipes? We would be thrilled to hear how they turned out! Let us know what you thought of them in the comment section below. And be sure to check out our blog for more entertaining content to keep you sane until the pubs open once again.