Stir the prettiest concoctions on World Cocktail Day

Shaken, stirred, and dressed to impress—this World Cocktail Day, we’re raising a glass to concoctions that don’t just taste divine, but look like liquid works of art. Whether it’s a jewel-toned spritz, a smoky old fashioned, or a vibrant tequila twist, these cocktails are here to steal the spotlight (and your Instagram feed).

Spicy Watermelon Margarita (by Daisy Mae Cantina)

Ingredients:

1. Tequila blanco- 45ml
2. Watermelon juice- 90ml
3. Lime juice- 20ml
4. Triple Sec- 15ml
5. Jalapeño slices- 4-5
6. Chili salt for rim

Method:

Lightly muddle jalapeño in a shaker, add tequila, watermelon juice, lime juice, and triple sec. Shake well with ice and strain into a chili-rimmed glass. Garnish with a small wedge of watermelon or a chili.

Expansion Artistique (by Cosy Box Gurgaon)

Ingredients:

1. Tequila- 60ml
2. Celery stick
3. Passion fruit purée- 20ml
4. Lime juice- 20ml
5. Agave- 5ml
6. Cappers brine- 10ml
7. Jalapeño- 4-5 slices

Method:

In a shaker, muddle the celery stick and jalapeño slices to release their bold, earthy heat. Add tequila, passion fruit purée, lime juice, agave, and capers brine, then fill the shaker with ice. Shake it all together vigorously until well-chilled and infused. Double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice, and garnish with a jalapeño slice or celery stalk for an extra kick.

Speyside Hive (by Glenfiddich)

Ingredients:

1. 45ml Glenfiddich 15 year old
2. 20ml Oloroso
3. 10ml Honey Syrup 1:1
4. 2 dash Angostura
5. 2 dash Orange bitters
6. 75ml Soda water
7. Add all ingredients to cocktail tin, fill highball glass with ice and pour into glass
8. Garnish with orange wedge.

Method:

Start by adding Glenfiddich 15 Year Old, Oloroso, honey syrup, Angostura bitters, and orange bitters to a cocktail tin. Stir gently, then pour into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and give it a light stir to mix. Garnish with an orange wedge and serve.

Tropical Whisky Sour (by Shatbhi Basu, Independent Director, Mount Everest Breweries Ltd)

Ingredients:

1. DOAAB Limited Edition Single Malt Whisky- 60ml 
   
2. Monin passion fruit purée- 20ml
3. Lime juice- 15ml
4. Rosemary- 1 sprig
5. Dash of Angostura bitters
6. Fresh rosemary- for garnish

Method:

Muddle rosemary in a shaker to unlock its perfume. Add whisky, passion fruit, lime, bitters, and ice. Shake like you’re leading a rhythm section, then strain over fresh rocks. Garnish with rosemary, and enjoy with grilled seafood and salt-kissed laughter.

The Last Floor (by Tulleeho)

Ingredients:

1. Indian whisky- 45ml
2. Triple sec- 15ml
3. Orange juice- 30ml
4. Cranberry juice- 30ml
5. Ice- to fill shaker
6. Orange slice- to garnish

Method:

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add all the ingredients. Shake well until chilled, strain into a serving glass, and finish with a garnish of orange slice before serving.

Shockwave (by Swa Artisanal Syrups)

Ingredients:

1. Bourbon whisky- 60ml
2. Swa Orange- 20ml
3. Swa Cardamom- 10ml
4. Swa Peach- 10ml
5. Lime juice- 15ml
6. Foaming agent- 3 drops
7. Aromatic bitters- 2 drops
8. Dehydrated orange

Method:

Add all the ingredients to a shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Discard the ice and dry shake to build a rich froth. Fine strain the cocktail into an old fashioned glass and finish with a dehydrated orange slice for garnish.

You may also read: The prettiest floral cocktails to sip this Summer