9 DIY Cocktails to Try at Home This World Cocktail Day
Whether you're raising a glass to tradition or experimenting with something new, these cocktails are your passport to celebration
World Cocktail Day (May 13th) commemorates the first recorded definition of the word 'cocktail" in 1806. It's since become a global celebration of mixology — a moment to shake things up, experiment with new flavours, and revisit old favourites. Whether you're just building your home bar or already a cocktail enthusiast, these nine easy-to-make drinks are perfect for toasting to creativity and craftsmanship.
The Royal Sidecar by Monarch Legacy Edition
A regal spin on a timeless classic, this Sidecar blends the richness of Monarch Legacy Edition pure grape brandy with citrusy brightness. It's elegant, refined, and perfect for toasting to tradition — with a modern twist.
Ingredients:
45 ml Monarch Legacy Edition
20 ml Orange Liqueur
20 ml Lemon Juice
Garnish: Orange Twist
Method:
Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
Cucumber and Celery Martini by Tulleeho
A refreshing take from Shaker Sutra by Vikram Achanta, this garden-inspired martini pairs cool cucumber with herbaceous celery — savoury, crisp, and perfect for warm evenings.
advetisement
Ingredients:
45 ml Vodka
15 ml Cointreau
½ Cucumber (peeled, deseeded, chunked)
1-inch Celery (plus stalk for garnish)
Ice
Method:
Muddle cucumber and celery in a shaker. Add vodka, Cointreau, and ice. Shake well, double strain into a chilled glass, and garnish with a celery stalk.
Delicious Kiss by Six Brothers Mahura
Floral, fruity, and proudly Indian — this cocktail uses Six Brothers Mahura (Mahua spirit) with litchi juice, coconut water, and rose syrup for a beautifully light summer drink.
Ingredients:
60 ml Six Brothers Mahura
60 ml Litchi Juice
60 ml Coconut Water
Squeeze of Lime
5 ml Rose Syrup (drizzle)
Garnish: Rose Petals, Coconut Crescent
Glass: Hurricane
Method:
Fill glass with ice. Add spirit, coconut water, litchi juice, and lime. Stir, drizzle rose syrup, and garnish.
Bramble by Swa Artisanal Syrups
A fruit-forward take on the classic, this cocktail combines gin and citrus with Swa's summer berry syrup for bold colour and depth of flavour.
Ingredients:
60 ml Gin
20 ml Swa Summer Berries Syrup
15 ml Fresh Lime Juice
Method:
Shake all ingredients with ice. Fine strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with fresh blackberries.
Summer Punch by Geist Brewing Co.
Bright mango, tangy lime, fragrant basil, and a scoop of cucumber sorbet — this punch is summer in a glass.
Ingredients:
45 ml Agave Spirit
60 ml Mango Pulp
20 ml Lime Juice
8 Basil Leaves
Cucumber Sorbet
Method:
Shake all ingredients (except sorbet) with ice. Add a scoop of cucumber sorbet to a coupe glass, pour over the drink, and garnish with a basil leaf.
Pop-Star by D'YAVOL
An Old Fashioned like no other — D'YAVOL VORTEX whisky is infused with popcorn, sweetened with Okinawa syrup, and finished with edible gold. Dramatic, playful, and delicious.
Ingredients:
60 ml D'YAVOL VORTEX
Instant Popcorn (for infusion)
40 ml Okinawa Sugar Syrup
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Garnish: Edible Gold Leaf
Method:
Infuse whisky with popcorn and strain after chilling. Stir with syrup and bitters over ice in an Old Fashioned glass. Garnish.
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Anjeer Old Fashioned by Godawan Artisanal Single Malt
This Indian twist on the classic Old Fashioned brings together Godawan 01 with a homemade fig syrup and bitters — rich, earthy, and deeply satisfying.
Ingredients:
50 ml Godawan 01 Rich & Rounded
8 ml Fig Syrup (1:1 brown sugar and dried figs)
3 Dashes Aromatic Bitters
Garnish: Orange Peel or Fresh Fig
Method:
Stir whisky, syrup, and bitters over ice. Serve in an Old Fashioned glass with garnish.
Añejo Manhattan by Pistola
A classic Manhattan gets an agave-forward twist with Pistola Añejo and a touch of cinnamon, smooth, spicy, and sophisticated.
Ingredients:
45 ml Pistola Añejo
22 ml Sweet Vermouth
5 ml Cinnamon Syrup
Garnish: Maraschino Cherry
Method:
Stir all ingredients with ice. Strain into a Nick & Nora glass. Garnish.
Agave Elixir by Davana Vermouth Indica
Bright, bitter, and perfectly balanced — Davana Bianco meets earthy tequila and a saline touch for a minimalist cocktail that's anything but simple.
Ingredients:
30 ml Davana Bianco
20 ml Tequila (Blanco or Joven)
advetisement
4–5 Drops Saline Solution (10:1 water to salt)
Garnish: Lemon Twist
Method:
Stir all ingredients with ice. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora glass. Express lemon peel and garnish.
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Cheers to World Cocktail Day!
Whether you're raising a glass to tradition or experimenting with something new, these cocktails are your passport to celebration. Stir, shake, sip — and savour the joy of mixing things up.
Watch CNN-News18 here. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!
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Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
May 13, 2025, 07:16 IST
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