From the Singapore Sling in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas to Elvis Presley’s Mai Tai in Blue Hawaii, cocktails have played pivotal roles in some of the most memorable movie scenes. Join us on a cinematic journey as we explore 15 timeless classic cocktails that have left an indelible mark on the silver screen, adding flavour and flair to some of the most iconic moments in film history. Each cocktail includes a recipe and method so you can recreate these classic cocktails at home and experience a taste of Hollywood magic!
Bloody Mary
Fletch, 1985: Fletch / Chevy Chase
The Bloody Mary, a classic cocktail with a storied past, is a spicy and zesty delight. Created in the 1920s, its origins are disputed. A bespoke order from comedian and actor George Jessel who orders the first Bloody Mary—a half-vodka, half-tomato juice recipe, supposedly concocted to help with a tough hangover from the night before. Bartender Fernand Petiot at New York’s famous 21 Club, perfects the formula and propels the Bloody Mary to classic status.
Recipe
1½ oz / 37.5ml vodka
3 oz / 75 ml tomato juice
½ oz / 12.5 ml lemon juice
3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
6 drops Tabasco sauce
2 pinches ground black pepper
1 pinch celery salt
Method
Gently shake all the ingredients with ice for at least half a minute before pouring into an ice-filled Highball glass. Serve with a celery stick.
Cosmopolitan
Sex and the City, 2008: Carrie Bradshaw / Sarah Jessica Parker
The Cosmopolitan or ‘cosmo’ is the ultimate classic cocktail known for its vibrant pink hue and refreshing, slightly tart taste. As the ultimate signature cocktail in the 90s for Carrie Bradshaw and her friends in the series Sex and the City, its origins are mixed. Many claim to be its creator but most agree that the ‘cosmo’ was born in the 80s; a favoured tipple of Madonna and other celebrities of the time. Always a crowd pleaser at any party, this iconic drink is served in a martini glass and often garnished with a twist of lime or an orange peel.
Recipe
1½ oz / 37.5 ml vodka
1 oz / 25 ml triple sec
1 oz / 25 ml fresh lime juice
2 oz / 50 ml cranberry juice
1 dash orange bitters
Method
Shake all the ingredients with ice and fine strain into a chilled Martini glass. Garnish with an orange twist, flamed if you dare.
Daiquiri
Our Man in Havana, 1959: Jim Wormold / Alec Guinness
The Daiquiri is a classic cocktail celebrated for its simplicity and refreshing taste. This timeless drink derives its name from its place of origin and hails from the town of Daiquiri located at the southeastern tip of Cuba. It is believed to have been created in 1898 by an American mining engineer named Jennings Cox, who worked at the nearby iron mine, making the most of local ingredients - limes, sugar and rum. Served in a chilled cocktail glass, the Daiquiri offers a combination of sweet and sour flavours, making it a beloved choice for those craving a crisp cocktail experience.
Recipe
2½ oz / 62.5 ml light rum
¾ oz / 19 ml lime juice
½ oz / 12.5 ml sugar syrup
Method
Shake all the ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled coupe. Float a lime wheel on the drink.
Singapore Sling
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, 1998: Raoul Duke / Johnny Depp
The Singapore Sling, a timeless cocktail that originates from the Long Bar at Singapore’s Raffles Hotel. An early 20th-century take on Gin-slings of America which dated from the 18th-century and were described as ‘a drink of gin flavoured, sweetened and served cold’. It embodies the exotic allure of Southeast Asia, offering a sweet tropical flavor with a citrusy twist and a deep rich red/pink hue.
Recipe
1½ oz / 37.5 ml gin
½ oz / 12.5 ml cherry brandy
¼ oz / 6 ml Cointreau
¼ oz / 6 ml DOM Bénédictine
⅓oz / 8 ml grenadine
3 oz / 75 ml pineapple juice
1 oz / 25 ml fresh lemon juice
1 dash Angostura bitters
Method
Shake all the ingredients with ice and pour into an ice-filled Sling glass. Garnish with a pineapple slice and a Maraschino cherry. Side of mescal optional.
Black Russian
48 Hrs, 1982: Reggie Hammond / Eddie Murphy
The Black Russian is a sophisticated cocktail combining smooth vodka and rich coffee liqueur over ice. This classic drink offers an unforgettable blend of flavours, with a dark and alluring appearance. Its origin is debatable but a popular theory suggests the drink was invented by a bartender at the Hotel Metropole in Brussels in the 1940s, predating its more famous cousin the White Russian.
Recipe
2 oz / 50 ml vodka
1 oz / 25 ml coffee liqueur
Method
Stir the ingredients with ice in a mixing glass, and strain into an ice-filled Old Fashioned glass.
Sex on the Beach
Hysterical Blindness, 2002: Beth / Juliette Lewis
Gaining widespread recognition in the 80s, Sex on the Beach is a vibrant and tropical cocktail that embodies the spirit of a beachside getaway. With a base of vodka and peach schnapps, it's sweet and fruity, blending cranberry and orange juices to create a refreshing burst of flavours. Served over ice, it's a playful and colorful drink, perfect for enjoying a taste of paradise.
Recipe
2 oz / 50 ml vodka
½ oz / 12.5 ml peach schnapps
1½ oz / 37.5 ml orange juice
1½ oz / 37.5 ml cranberry juice
Method
Combine the ingredients in an ice-filled Highball glass and stir, or layer gently for a colour gradation effect. Garnish with an orange slice and serve with long straws.
Mojito
Die Another Day, 2002: James Bond / Pierce Brosnan
The Mojito is a timeless cocktail that probably hails from Havana, Cuba. With a history dating back to the 16th century, it's a refreshing blend of white rum, fresh lime juice, mint leaves, sugar, and soda water. This iconic drink, once enjoyed by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, is celebrated for its zesty, invigorating flavours and its role in the rich tapestry of Cuban culture. Slightly more labor-intensive than other cocktails because it involves muddling the mint, but the end result is worth the effort. Served over ice, the Mojito is a quintessential summer sipper that continues to captivate cocktail aficionados worldwide.
Recipe
10 mint leaves
1 oz / 25 ml lime juice
½ oz / 12.5 ml agave syrup
2 oz / 50 ml light rum
Soda water
Method
Lightly muddle the mint leaves with the lime juice and agave syrup in a Collins glass. Half-fill the glass with ice, add the rum and stir. Fill the glass up fully with ice and top up with soda. Stir gently. Garnish with a lime wedge and a mint sprig.
Long Island Iced tea
Cruel Intentions, 1999: Cecile Caldwell / Selma Blair
The Long Island Iced Tea is a deceptive cocktail known for its potent mix of spirits, despite its innocent appearance. Thought to have possibly originated in the 1970s, its inception is often attributed to a cocktail contest in Long Island, New York; alternative theories as its origin date back to Prohibition when the cocktail may have been one of many ‘disguise’ drinks that were created to look like iced tea. It's a bold and boozy classic, favoured by those who enjoy a strong, refreshing libation. It packs quite a punch!
Recipe
½ oz / 12.5 ml tequila
½ oz / 12.5 ml gin
½ oz / 12.5 ml vodka
½ oz / 12.5 ml light rum
½ oz / 12.5 ml triple sec
½ oz / 12.5 ml lemon juice
½ oz / 12.5 ml lime juice
¾ oz / 19 ml sugar syrup
Cola
Method
Pour all the ingredients except the cola into an ice-filled Highball glass and top up with cola. Garnish with a lemon slice.
Mai Tai
Blue Hawaii, 1961: Chad Gates / Elvis Presley
Originating in the 1940s, the Mai Tai is a tropical, nutty, boozy and zingy cocktail! Created by Victor J. "Trader Vic" Bergeron, the Mai Tai gained fame at his Tiki bar in California. Its name means "the best" in Tahitian, and this cocktail lives up to its reputation, offering a harmonious balance of sweet and citrusy flavours. Served over ice and garnished with a cherry and a slice of fruit, the Mai Tai is a timeless classic that transports you to a sun-soaked beach with every sip.
Recipe
2 oz / 50 ml aged rum
1 oz / 25 ml lime juice
½ oz / 12.5 ml curaçao
½ oz / 12.5 ml orgeat almond syrup
¼ oz / 6 ml agave syrup
Method
Shake all the ingredients together and pour into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry skewered together on a cocktail stick and mounted on the rim of the glass
Sangria
Legally Blonde 2, 2003: Elle Woods / Reese Witherspoon
Sangria, or Sangaree as it is often called in older mixology guides, is a festive Spanish drink with ancient roots and marries wine and fruit into a refreshing blend. Tracing back to the Roman Empire's practice of diluting wine with water and adding herbs, Sangria has evolved into its modern form. It typically combines wine with fresh fruits and sweeteners, often served chilled. A versatile concoction with a vibrant and fruity profile that pairs seamlessly with various cuisines and offers the perfect summer drink at BBQs and garden parties.
Recipe
3 oz / 75 ml red wine
½ oz / 12.5 ml brandy
1 oz / 25 ml orange juice
½ oz / 12.5 ml lemon juice
½ oz / 12.5 ml sugar syrup
Soda water
Method
In this single-serving version, simply build the drink in an ice-filled Hurricane glass, top up with soda and stir gently. Dust with grated nutmeg and garnish with an orange slice.
Negroni
The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone, 1962: Karen Stone / Vivien Leigh
The Negroni is a timeless Italian cocktail born in the early 20th century. Its intriguing blend of gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth creates a perfectly balanced bittersweet symphony. Legend has it that it was invented when Count Camillo Negroni requested a stronger version of his favourite cocktail, the Americano. Served over ice with an orange twist, the Negroni has become an iconic classic celebrated for its elegant simplicity and bold flavours.
Recipe
1½ oz / 37.5 ml gin
1½ oz / 37.5 ml Campari
1½ oz / 37.5 ml sweet red vermouth
Method
Fill an Old-Fashioned glass with ice, pour all the ingredients in and stir gently. Peel a strip of zest from an orange and fold length ways while holding over the glass to express the oils into the drink. Finally, twist the zest and place in the drink to garnish.
Sea Breeze
French Kiss, 1995: Kate / Meg Ryan
The Sea Breeze, a revitalising cocktail, has a history dating back to the 1920s, although it has undergone notable transformations since its inception. Originally prepared with gin, it has since transitioned to incorporate vodka as its primary spirit. Its invigorating combination served over ice, captures the sensation of a refreshing ocean breeze on a warm, sunny day. Its simplicity makes it an ideal choice for a leisurely summer tipple.
Recipe
2 oz / 50 ml vodka
6 oz / 150 ml cranberry juice
1½ oz / 37.5 ml grapefruit juice
Method
Pour the ingredients into an ice-filled Highball glass and stir gently. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Kir Royal
The Philadelphia Story, 1940: Tracy Lord / Katharine Hepburn
The Kir Royal is a luxurious French cocktail with a touch of history. It originated in the mid-20th century when Félix Kir, a mayor of Dijon, combined crème de cassis, a blackcurrant liqueur, with sparkling wine. This elegant drink is a delightful fusion of fruity sweetness and effervescence, often garnished with a blackberry. The Kir Royal remains a symbol of sophistication and is cherished for its simplicity and vibrant flavours.
Recipe
3 oz / 75 ml champagne
½ oz / 12.5 ml crème de cassis
Method
Pour the crème de cassis into a chilled champagne flute and top with chilled champagne. Garnish with a blackberry on the rim.
Grasshopper
Romancing the Stone, 1984: Joan Wilder / Kathleen Turner
The Grasshopper is a creamy, minty delight with roots tracing back to the early 20th century in New Orleans, USA. This after-dinner cocktail blends crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and cream, resulting in a lusciously green concoction reminiscent of its namesake insect. Often served in a chilled cocktail glass, the Grasshopper is a sweet indulgence that has endured for decades and this bright green retro favourite is the perfect conversation starter at any dinner party.
Recipe
1 oz / 25 ml crème de menthe
1 oz / 25 ml crème de cacao
1 oz / 25 ml single (light) cream
Method
Shake all the ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled California cocktail glass
Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Sunrise, 1988: Dale ‘Mac’ McKussic / Mel Gibson
The Tequila Sunrise is a visually stunning cocktail dating back to the 1970s. It features a vibrant gradient of colors, resembling a sunrise, achieved by layering tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup. This refreshing drink was originally born in Phoenix, Arizona with later modifications in Northern California and quickly became a symbol of the laid-back beach culture there. Often garnished with a slice of orange and a maraschino cherry, the Tequila Sunrise is as beautiful as it is delicious, making it a timeless favourite.
Recipe
2 oz / 50 ml tequila
Orange juice
⅔oz / 17 ml grenadine
Method
Pour the tequila into an ice-filled Highball glass and top up with orange juice. Stir gently before drizzling the grenadine onto the drink, which will sink to create a sunrise effect. Garnish with an orange slice skewered on a stick with a cherry
