The seven essential superyacht cocktails

With more than 200 traditional cocktail recipes, and a number of spin offs, how can crew distinguish the ‘right’ cocktail for the tastes of the guests on board, or the occasion in hand?

Our seven essential superyacht cocktails are tailored to suit the different types of people you may meet on board and changing climates, seeing you through from day to night; each offers a hassle-free and easy-to-make experience, which will hopefully result in many happy sailors!

1. For the ladies - The Elderflower Cooler

Given how impossible it is to cater to all tastes, this cocktail should keep most happy. It’s light, refreshing, low in sugar, and consists of the 2018 ‘trending’ ingredient elderflower.

The ingredients

50ml of gin
Slice of cucumber
Crushed mint leaves
30ml of elderflower cordial
20ml of fresh lime
Soda water

Garnish: Fresh cucumber, mint and/or wedge of lime and/or elderflower

Preparation

Fill a tall glass halfway with cubed ice and pour over a good quality gin, followed by a slice or two of cucumber and fresh mint leaves. Add the elderflower cordial and fresh lime juice along with more ice. Top with chilled soda water. Stir and finish with a couple more slices of cucumber and a touch more of mint. Simple.

2. For the men - Dark 'n' Stormy

From one of the original pirate haunts of Bermuda comes a drink no man at sea should be able to resist! This cocktail is just as popular on board today, having been the official drink of the last Americas Cup.

The ingredients

50ml of dark rum
100ml of spiced ginger beer
Dash of lime juice (optional)

Garnish: Wedge of lime

Preparation

Each man often has his own taste preferences for the classic Dark ‘n’ Stormy cocktail, but all acceptable mixes require the ‘right’ ratio between the spicy ginger beer and the fullness of the rum. Combine 50ml of good quality dark rum with 100ml of spiced ginger beer in a tumbler over ice.

A Bermudian wouldn’t put lime in his D&S, but many American states have developed this style to give the drink a refreshing citrus twang.

3. For the sunshine - Pina Colada

Cliché you may say to choose a Pina Colada as the warm-weather cocktail, but this is a tropical classic for good reason: Invented on the Island of Puerto Rico in 1978, the Pina Colada is a longstanding summertime favourite due to its fresh-yet-creamy flavour.

The ingredients

25ml of white rum
100ml of fresh pineapple juice
50ml of coconut cream or coconut milk

Garnish: Triangle of fresh pineapple and coconut shavings

Preparation

Add white rum, fresh pineapple juice and fresh coconut cream or milk to the blender and blitz with cubed ice until smooth and creamy. Garnish with fresh pineapple triangles and coconut shavings for that tropical warm-weather appeal.

4. For the cold (and rain) - Victory Lemonade

The Victory Lemonade is a traditional cocktail that originates from the temperate climes of Victorian Britain. This number is sure to warm the heart on the iciest and wettest of evenings.

The ingredients

50ml of port
20ml of fresh lemon juice
20ml of fresh orange juice
15g of raw sugar or agave syrup
5ml of Fernet Branca bitters (optional)
Ginger Beer (optional)

Garnish: Cherries, mint leaves and/or orange zest or slices

Preparation

Fill a whiskey glass two thirds with ice, and pour in port, fruit juices, sugar and Fernet. Swizzle the ingredients around for 30 seconds. Top with ginger beer, and garnish with cherries, mint leaves and orange zest. Delicious.

5. The daytime pleaser – Paloma

This popular tequila-based cocktail originates from sunny Mexico and is a serious thirst quencher for lazy days on board. With a sweet/sour, and bitter/ salty combination, this one makes for an all-round excellent crowd pleaser.

The ingredients

25ml of tequila
50ml of freshly squeezed pink grapefruit juice
15ml of freshly squeezed lime
15ml agave syrup
Grapefruit soda water or bitters
Lime-infused salt (optional)
Lime wedge

Garnish: Grapefruit, lime or mint

Preparation

Squeeze a lime wedge around the rim of a martini cocktail glass and then place the rim in lime infused salt. Combine tequila with fresh pink grapefruit and lime juices and agave syrup, pouring over a generous helping of ice cubes. Stir well and top with grapefruit soda or bitters before garnishing with a slice of fresh grapefruit, lime or mint.

6. For the evening – Classic Cosmopolitan

A zesty and sweet cocktail, the Cosmopolitan is for those looking to impress with the classiest drink on the list.

The ingredients

40ml of vodka
15ml of triple sec
75ml of fresh cranberry juice
Juice of one lime
Grapefruit soda water or bitters

Garnish: Orange twist or lime zest

Preparation

Combine cubed ice with a general serving of vodka and triple sec. Add in the juice of one lime and cranberry juice. Stir well and garnish with orange twist or a lime wedge and serve

7. Non-alcoholic – Virgin Mary

Inspired by its alcoholic sister, the Virgin Mary is a tomato-based non-alcoholic cocktail, containing all the spices of a Bloody Mary, but without the kick from the vodka. This is great as a breakfast cocktail and hangover remedy, but can easily be turned naughty if necessary!

The ingredients

100ml of fresh tomato juice
50ml of fresh lime juice
Dash of Worcestershire sauce or Tabasco sauce
Celery salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Two dashes of hot pepper sauce
25ml of vodka (optional)

Garnish: Celery stick, olive, wheel of lime, fresh herbs or cherry tomatoes

Preparation

Add the liquid ingredients into a glass over ice cubes and stir well, with vodka optional for a classic Bloody Mary. Add Worcestershire and/or Tabasco sauce to taste. Garnish as you wish.

The seven essentials make for happy crew and happy guests, but remember, when making cocktails the world is often your oyster; don’t be afraid to get creative – the eighth essential cocktail may be the result of your next adventure at sea.