Top 10 holiday-inspired cocktails

We can’t visit Brazilian beaches or cool New York drinking dens right now, but we can at least sip the cocktails and try to escape. Check out our round-up of the best travel-inspired drinks, from punchy three-ingredient negronis to a jug of fruity sangria.

Want more? Try one of these travel-inspired dishes alongside your drink.

Negroni – Italy

This classic Italian aperitivo is made with one part gin, one part vermouth rosso, and one part Campari, then garnished with orange peel. Its growth in popularity has seen imaginative twists on the cocktail, be it swapping gin for prosecco, or adding fruity Aperol to the mix. Make yourself one, then daydream about a foodie road trip through Sardinia.

Piña colada – Puerto Rico

Creamy, fruity and delightfully retro, the piña colada is the national drink of Puerto Rico, where it was invented in the mid-20th century. White rum and pineapple juice are the key ingredients in this sweet number, and one sip will transport you to a sandy beach. Virtually island-hop to Saint Lucia and read our foodie guide, with colada in hand.

Manhattan – New York

We’re not sure who invented the manhattan – it emerged in the late 19th century in New York, or possibly New Orleans – but it’s a classic cocktail that doesn’t pull any punches. Spicy rye whisky (use bourbon for a more mellow result), fruity sweet vermouth and bitters come together in a dark, rich, intense drink. Sip it while you plan your next city break across the pond.

Try our PX version for a twist on the classic recipe

Caipirinha – Brazil

Caipirinha is the national drink of Brazil and is made with the country’s sugarcane spirit, cachaça. The only other ingredients you need are lime and caster sugar – stir the three together for this zesty tipple. Best drunk while daydreaming about a trip to Trancoso.

Try our tangy passion fruit version here

Espresso martini – London

This coffee vodka drink was created in 1983 by bartender Dick Bradsell at the Soho Brasserie (supposedly at the request of a tired model, who was looking for a pick-me-up). Adding a shot of hot espresso to a cocktail shaker full of ice may seem odd, but it’s essential for that all-important creamy layer at the top of the drink – so don’t let the coffee cool down! Sip it while you explore Soho from your sofa.

Sake martini – Japan

Sake (also known as Japanese rice wine) is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting rice. Here we’ve mixed it with gin for a Japanese-inspired take on the martini, so sip it while exploring Kyoto from your armchair.

Try our low-alcohol sake tonic here

Sangria – Spain

Sangria means ‘bleeding’ in Spanish, which is a reference to the red wine used in this classic punch. It’s typically mixed with fresh fruit and sweetened with sugar and orange juice, but in our version we’ve opted for white wine and iced tea. Drink it while embarking on an Asturias armchair adventure.