Cocktails by spirit
Start with the bottle you already have.
- Gin cocktailsGin cocktail recipes with UK measures, from the gin and tonic and Tom Collins to the Negroni, Martini and Bramble.26 recipes
- Vodka cocktailsVodka cocktail recipes with UK measures: Espresso Martini, Pornstar Martini, Cosmopolitan, Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary and more.18 recipes
- Rum cocktailsRum cocktail recipes with UK measures, from the Daiquiri and Mojito to the Mai Tai, Piña Colada and Hot Buttered Rum.15 recipes
- Whisky cocktailsWhisky cocktail recipes with UK measures, using Scotch, bourbon, rye and Irish whiskey: Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Penicillin, Hot Toddy and more.18 recipes
- Tequila cocktailsTequila and mezcal cocktail recipes with UK measures: Margarita, Tommy's Margarita, Paloma, Tequila Sunrise and more.12 recipes
- Brandy and cognac cocktailsBrandy, cognac and pisco cocktail recipes with UK measures: Sidecar, Brandy Alexander, Pisco Sour, Sazerac and more.8 recipes
- Prosecco and sparkling wine cocktailsProsecco, Champagne and sparkling wine cocktail recipes with UK measures: Aperol Spritz, Bellini, Kir Royale, French 75 and more.10 recipes
Which spirit to buy first for cocktails
Buy the spirit you already enjoy drinking, because you will use it most. If you have no preference, a London dry gin is the most useful first bottle. It works in long drinks such as the gin and tonic, in sours and in stirred classics like the Negroni and the dry martini.
Rum is a good second bottle for fresh, citrus-led drinks such as the Daiquiri, and whisky is the one to add if you like stirred, slow drinks. A mid-priced bottle is enough for mixing. Spend the difference on fresh limes and lemons.
How the main spirits taste different
Gin tastes of juniper and citrus. Vodka is close to neutral, so it adds strength and leaves the flavour to the other ingredients. Rum is made from sugar cane. White rum is light and clean, aged rum tastes of caramel and vanilla, and dark rum is richer, with molasses and spice.
Whisky is made from grain and aged in oak, so it tastes of vanilla, spice and sometimes smoke. Tequila tastes of agave, with pepper and citrus. Brandy is distilled from wine or other fruit, and has a dried-fruit warmth that suits cold weather.
Prosecco is not a spirit, but it has its own page because so many drinks are topped with it. Use it when you want something lighter.
Gin or vodka for cocktails
Choose gin if you want the spirit to be part of the flavour, and vodka if you want the other ingredients to lead. Gin brings botanicals to a drink, so it pairs well with tonic, lemon and vermouth. Vodka suits coffee, tomato, ginger beer and fruit juice, which is why it is behind the espresso martini and the Moscow mule.
The two are interchangeable in some drinks, such as the dirty martini, and not in others. If a recipe depends on juniper, such as a gin and tonic, vodka will taste plain. See gin cocktails and vodka cocktails to compare.
Choosing a spirit by the kind of drink you want
For something long and easy, tequila, gin, vodka and rum all work with a single mixer, as in the Paloma, the Moscow mule and the Mojito. For a sharp, fresh drink, look at tequila cocktails and rum cocktails.
For rich, warming drinks, try whisky cocktails or brandy cocktails. For something light and bubbly, see prosecco cocktails. If you are not sure, start with a drink you fancy and let the recipe tell you what to buy.
Questions people ask
Which spirit should I buy first for cocktails?
A London dry gin is the most useful first bottle for most people. It works in long drinks, sours and stirred classics. If you prefer another spirit, buy that instead, because the best bottle to start with is the one you will actually finish.
What is the difference between gin and vodka?
Gin is flavoured with juniper and other botanicals, while vodka is close to neutral in taste. That makes gin the better choice when you want the spirit to add flavour, and vodka the better choice when you want other ingredients, such as coffee or ginger beer, to lead.
What is the difference between tequila and rum?
Tequila is made from blue Weber agave, and rum is made from sugar cane or its by-products such as molasses. Tequila tastes of agave, pepper and citrus. Rum is sweeter, with flavours that range from light and clean in white rum to caramel and spice in dark rum.
What is the difference between whisky and brandy?
Whisky is distilled from fermented grain, and brandy is distilled from wine or other fermented fruit. Both are usually aged in oak. Whisky tastes of grain, vanilla and spice, while brandy and cognac taste of dried fruit, which is why both suit winter drinks.
Do I need expensive spirits to make good cocktails?
No. A mid-priced bottle is enough for most cocktails, because the lemon, lime, sugar and other ingredients cover small differences. Fresh citrus juice matters more than the label. Save a bottle you would sip neat for drinks where the spirit is almost the whole recipe.
Is prosecco a spirit?
No. Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine, not a spirit, so it is much lower in alcohol than gin or vodka. It is used to top drinks such as the Aperol spritz and the Bellini. Choose a dry bottle, labelled brut, when you add juice or liqueur.