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The Whisky Sour is one of those cocktails that just gets everything right. Sweet, sour and perfectly balanced, it’s a timeless mix that suits any occasion - from a Friday night wind-down to a weekend get-together with mates.

Traditionally made with whisky, lemon juice and a touch of sugar, it also features egg white for a smooth, foamy finish. But don’t worry - there are easy alternatives if egg white isn’t your thing. Either way, it’s a must-have in your cocktail playbook.

Classic Whisky Sour Recipe

Ingredients:

• 60ml bourbon or rye whisky such as Buffalo Trace Bourbon or Woodford Reserve Rye

• 25ml fresh lemon juice (bottled lemon juice will do at a pinch)

• 15ml sugar syrup (1:1 ratio)

• 15ml egg white (can be substituted for a range of alternatives, see below)

• Ice

• Lemon twist or maraschino cherry, to garnish

Method:

1. Add all ingredients to a shaker without ice (this is your dry shake) and shake hard for about 10 seconds to build foam.

2. Add ice and shake again until well chilled.

3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice or serve straight up in a coupe.

4. Garnish with a lemon twist or cherry, or both if you’re feeling generous.

Egg White Alternatives

• Aquafaba: This is the liquid from a can of chickpeas. It mimics egg white texture without any animal products and adds no noticeable flavour. Use about 15ml in place of egg white.

• Wonderfoam (or Fomo): 100% plant-based and taste-neutral foaming agent, add a couple of drops to your shaker in place of the egg-white. 

• No foam, no problem: If you want to skip the foam altogether, just leave it out and shake the rest of the ingredients with ice. You’ll still get a deliciously balanced cocktail, just with a lighter body and no foam on top.

Try This Twist

• New York Sour: After pouring your whisky sour, gently float a splash of red wine over the top using the back of a spoon. It looks impressive and adds a rich, fruity finish.

Final Tips

Fresh lemon juice is much recommended, but if you're using pre-squeezed then you may need to play with the ratio. Balance is key - too much lemon and it’s puckering, too much sugar and it’s flabby. Taste and tweak if needed.

Use a whisky you enjoy sipping, and the drink will take care of the rest. Whether you like it with foam or without, the Whisky Sour is proof that the classics never go out of style.

Forget what you think you know about daiquiris. The classic Rum Daiquiri isn’t frozen, neon or overly sweet. It’s a clean, citrusy, perfectly balanced cocktail that’s been a bartender favourite for over a century.

Made with just rum, lime and sugar, the daiquiri is proof that less really can be more. When done right, it’s zesty, refreshing and ridiculously satisfying - ideal for warm days, pre-dinner drinks or whenever you feel like pretending you’re in Havana.

Classic Rum Daiquiri Recipe

Ingredients:

• 60ml white rum like Stolen White or Bacardi

• 25ml fresh lime juice (or bottled lime juice if necessary)

• 15ml sugar syrup (1:1 ratio) or agave syrup if you have it

• Ice

• Lime wheel, to garnish (optional). These dehydrated lime slices from Parched are a great option!

Method:

1. Add rum, lime juice and sugar syrup to a shaker with plenty of ice.

2. Shake hard for about 10 seconds until well chilled.

3. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.

4. Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge, if you're feeling fancy.

Variations to Try

• Hemingway Daiquiri: Add a splash of grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur. A drier, more complex take on the original.

• Spiced Daiquiri: Swap the white rum for a spiced rum like for a warmer, richer twist.

• Strawberry Daiquiri (not frozen): Muddle a couple of strawberries in the shaker before adding your ingredients for a fresh fruit version.

Final Tips

The daiquiri is all about balance. Taste as you go and adjust the lime or syrup if needed. Use fresh lime juice if you can, but bottled lime juice will do at a pinch. And go for a decent white rum that’s crisp and clean, not overly sweet or vanilla-heavy.

This is a cocktail that rewards simplicity. Just three ingredients, shaken with care, and you’ve got one of the most refreshing drinks in the game.

The Gin Martini is a timeless classic. Elegant, aromatic and unapologetically grown-up, it's the cocktail that defines sophistication. With just gin, vermouth and a garnish, the magic lies in the balance and the chill factor.

Whether you’re kicking off a dinner party or treating yourself to a well-earned wind-down drink, the Gin Martini is one to have in your cocktail toolkit. Clean and crisp with a botanical backbone, it’s the kind of drink that rewards quality ingredients and a little finesse.

Classic Gin Martini Recipe

Ingredients:

• 60ml quality gin like Scapegrace Dry or Tanqueray No.10 (the pros swear by this one!)

• 10ml dry vermouth (adjust to taste). We recommend Noilly Pratt or Reid + Reid Dry but any dry vermouth will be alright (just make sure you keep it in the fridge once opened!

• Ice

• Lemon twist or green olive, to garnish

Method:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the gin and vermouth.

2. Stir for 20 to 30 seconds until chilled and just slightly diluted.

3. Strain into a super chilled martini glass or coupe.

4. Garnish with a lemon twist for brightness, or an olive for something savoury.

Martini Variations Worth Trying

• Dry Martini: Dial back the vermouth for a stronger, sharper sip.

• Wet Martini: Add more vermouth if you like a rounder, softer flavour.

• Dirty Martini: Add a dash of olive brine and go for a salty, savoury twist.

Pro Tips

Start with a great gin. London dry styles are a classic pick, but if you’re feeling bold, try a New Zealand botanical gin like No8 Dunners Dry to add a local twist. Make sure everything is cold — gin, vermouth, glass and mixing tools. This drink is all about that crisp, bracing first sip.

Whether you’re team lemon or team olive, there’s no wrong way to enjoy a Gin Martini. Just adjust the vermouth to your taste, stir with care and enjoy a cocktail that’s stood the test of time.

Clean, crisp and effortlessly cool, the Vodka Martini is one of the most iconic cocktails of all time. Whether you like yours shaken, stirred, wet, dry or dirty, this classic drink is all about simplicity and sophistication.

Made with just two main ingredients, the Vodka Martini is easy to master and even easier to personalise. It’s a go-to for pre-dinner drinks, date nights or anytime you want something strong and stylish in hand.

Classic Vodka Martini Recipe

Ingredients:

• 60ml premium vodka like Little Biddy Vodka, (or Cardrona Distillery's 'The Reid' Single-Malt Vodka if you're trying to impress)

• 10ml dry vermouth (adjust to taste). We recommend Noilly Pratt but any dry vermouth will be alright (just make sure you keep it in the fridge once opened!

• Ice

• Lemon twist or green olive, to garnish

Method:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice and pour in the vodka and vermouth.

2. Stir for 20 to 30 seconds until well chilled and just slightly diluted.

3. Strain into a very cold martini or coupe glass.

4. Garnish with a lemon twist or a green olive. Your call.

Martini Tips and Tweaks

• Dry Vodka Martini: Use less vermouth if you like it sharper and more spirit-forward.

• Wet Martini: Add a little extra vermouth if you want a softer sip.

• Dirty Martini: Add a splash of olive brine and garnish with one or three olives (never two - it’s a superstition thing).

• Shaken not stirred? Sure, just keep in mind that shaking creates a colder, cloudier drink with more dilution. If that’s your style, go for it.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to making the perfect Vodka Martini, it really does come down to personal preference. Vodka and vermouth are the stars of the show, so use the good stuff and adjust the ratios to your taste. Serve it icy cold and don’t forget to chill your glass super cold for the cleanest finish.

Whether you’re a lemon-twist loyalist or all about olives, the Vodka Martini is a classic that never goes out of fashion.

The Manhattan is one of those cocktails that never goes out of style. Smooth, rich and just the right amount of bitter, it’s a drink that means business. Whether you’re winding down after a long day or dressing up for a night in, the Manhattan brings that old-school sophistication with barely any effort.

With just three key ingredients, this cocktail is all about balance - strong whisky, sweet vermouth and a dash of bitters. It’s the kind of drink that rewards good spirits, a bit of stirring, and a nice glass to serve it in.

How to Make a Manhattan

Ingredients:

• 60ml rye whisky or bourbon. We recommend Woodford Reserve Rye or Buffalo Trace Bourbon as great options.

• 30ml sweet vermouth like Dolin Vermouth Rouge

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• Ice

• Maraschino cherry, for garnish

Method:

1. Add the whisky, vermouth and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.

2. Stir until well chilled - around 30 seconds should do it.

3. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.

4. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, and enjoy.

Manhattan Cocktail Variations

There’s a reason the Manhattan has stuck around since the 1800s - but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it your own. Here are a couple of easy tweaks to try:

• Perfect Manhattan: Use half sweet vermouth and half dry vermouth for a drier, more balanced profile. Dolin do both!

• Smoky Manhattan: Sub in a smoky Scotch or peated whisky for a deeper, earthier flavour.

Tips for the Best Manhattan

Use good quality spirits - there’s nowhere to hide in a drink this simple. A bold rye whisky will give a spicier kick, while bourbon will lean sweeter and smoother. Keep your vermouth fresh by storing it in the fridge and don’t skip the cherry - it’s more than just a garnish.

The Manhattan is proof that sometimes, less really is more. Stir one up next time you want a cocktail with character.