When you visit Miami Beach you can not leave before tasting a cocktail or two.

To help you make the decision I’ve picked a selection of hand-crafted tasty cocktails to make your evening not only memorable, but a colorful one.

However, you don’t have to wait until you’re at the beach or on vacation. If you’re lucky enough to have a bar handy at home check out the selection and if you’re missing a bottle or two you’ll be well armed for your next shopping trip so you’ll know the right ingredients to buy so that you can give some of these a whirl.

I’ve listed the classic ingredients that go into each one so you can impress your guests the next time you throw a party or want to show your drink expertise and knowledge when you’re out on the town.

I’ll also reveal what glass your drink should be served, whether it’s on or off the rocks and what garnish should be added to complete the look.

Cheers!

The Mojito is the most famous drink to have whilst visiting the beaches and sits at the top of my list.

This classic recipe consists of:

4 cl (4 parts) White rum
3 cl (3 parts) Fresh lime juice
6 leaves of Mint
2 teaspoons Sugar
Soda Water

Lime not your thing? No problem, check out the strawberry version in this article.

On the rocks poured over ice.
Served in a Collins Glass.
Standard Garnish: spring of mint

Preparation	Mint sprigs muddled with sugar and lime juice. Rum added and topped with soda water. Garnished with sprig of mint leaves. Served with a straw.

Next up is Pina Colada

There’s nothing like this drink to truly transport you to a tropical state of mind.

What will you find inside:

3 cl (one part) white rum
3 cl (one part) coconut cream
9 cl (3 parts) pineapple juice

On the rocks poured over ice.
Served in a Collins Glass
Standard Garnish: pineapple slice and red cherry

Preparation	Mix with crushed ice until smooth. Pour into chilled glass, garnish and serve.

Tequila Sunrise

4.5 cl (3 parts) Tequila
9 cl (6 parts) Orange juice
1.5 cl (1 part) Grenadine syrup

On the rocks poured over ice.
Served in a Collins Glass
Standard Garnish: orange slice and red cherry

Preparation	Pour the tequila and orange juice into glass over ice. Add the grenadine, which will sink to the bottom. Do not stir. Garnish and serve.

Tequila Boom

A Mexican variant of Tequila Sunrise that you may come across is also known as the “Tequila Boom-Boom”

Tequila,
7-Up (or Sprite)
Grenadine syrup

Straight up without ice
Served in a Rocks Glass
Standard Garnish: lime segment

Preparation	Mix carefully to avoid releasing the dissolved CO2.

Screwdriver

5 cl (1 part) vodka
10 cl (2 parts) orange juice

Poured on the rocks over ice
Served in a Highball Glass
Standard Garnish: orange segment

Preparation	Mix in a highball glass with ice. Garnish and serve.

Useful items you need to make the perfect Cocktail and look like a pro

 

Cocktail Shaker Set    Cocktail Glasses Set    Martini Cocktail Sticks

Salty Dog

4 cl vodka or gin
10 cl grapefruit juice

Straight up without ice
Served in a Highball glass
Standard Garnish: salted glass

 

Preparation	Shake vodka and grapefruit juice in cocktail shaker. Strain into a salt-rimmed highball glass.

Long Island Ice Tea

1.5 cl Tequila
1.5 cl Vodka
1.5 cl White rum
1.5 cl Triple sec
1.5 cl Gin
2.5 cl Lemon juice
3.0 cl Gomme Syrup
1 dash of Cola

On the rocks poured over ice
Served in a Highball glass
Standard Garnish: lemon spiral

Preparation	Add all ingredients into highball glass filled with ice. Stir gently. Garnish with lemon spiral. Serve with straw.

Kamikaze

3 cl (1 part) vodka
3 cl (1 part) triple sec
3 cl (1 part) lime juice

Straight up without ice
Served in a Cocktail glass
Standard Garnish: lime slice

Preparation	Shake all ingredients together in a mixer with ice. Strain into glass, garnish and serve.