The world’s best cocktails and where to drink them
Posted by
Nadine Brown
Home > Travel Guides > The world’s best cocktails and where to drink them
Nothing says a holiday like relaxing with a fancy glass topped with an umbrella, fruit or even just a straw. There are some drinks that can be enjoyed anywhere, such as the gin and tonic, but with cocktails, it’s important to get the location just right. So here is a selection of the world’s best cocktails and the perfect places to enjoy them. Bottoms up!
Singapore Sling – Raffles Hotel
The only place to enjoy a true Singapore Sling is in the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel where it was invented. Like many great stories, the one surrounding the creation of the Singapore Sling has a fair amount of contradiction and rumour at its heart. Bartender Ngiam Tong Boon originally put the ingredients together and came up with the name, but whether it was in 1910, 1913 or 1915 is still under debate. What’s more, the recipe was lost in the 1930s and has been re-established through the memories of those who made it and others who drank it. Today, Raffles serves gin, cherry brandy, orange liqueur, Benedictine (herbal liqueur), pineapple and lime juice, grenadine and bitters shaken over ice.
Mojito – Cuba
Havana may have been the birthplace of the mojito, but it has been embraced by the rest of the world. This refreshing cocktail remains ubiquitous on the island where it was created, with the first instance of its ingredients being combined thought to date back to 1586. Although not called a mojito at the time, a boarding party from one of Francis Drake’s ships went ashore in Cuba and came back with a crude form of rum, sugarcane juice, lime and mint. Since then these items have been muddled and had soda water added to be known as a mojito. While many variations have sprung up over the years, accept no substitutes for the classic mojito in a bar in Havana.
Pisco sour – Peru
Although the Chileans claim to have invented the pisco sour, the city of Pisco actually lies in Peru, so it surely has a bigger case to be met. The two countries distil the spirit a little differently and mix the cocktail in varying ways too, but the Peruvian version combines lime juice, syrup, egg white and bitters shaken together and strained into an old fashioned glass. Although attributed to American bartender Victor Vaughn Morris, who opened a bar in Lima in the 1920s, it is thought the recipe for the pisco sour was refined by his employee Mario Bruiget, who introduced the egg white and the bitters to the concoction.
Cosmopolitan – New York
The cosmopolitan, or cosmo to its friends, may not have originated in New York, as there are various versions of where it might have come from, but it is inextricably linked with the city. This may have something to do with the Carrie Bradshaw character in Sex in the City, who regularly ordered the cocktail and inspired a whole generation to drink it too. The modern recipe that has become the standard is credited to bartender Toby Cecchini of Passerby, who ensured that fresh lime juice was used instead of cordial. This is combined with citrus vodka, triple sec and cranberry juice, which gives the cosmo its characteristic pink colour. Dale DeGroff of the Rainbow Room is thought to have added the flamed orange peel as a garnish.
Pina colada – Puerto Rico
It says something about the way of life in a country when its national drink is the creamy pina colada. But this is the case with Puerto Rico, which has officially recognised the pineapple, coconut milk and rum concoction as its own since 1978. Recollections of who and when invented it are somewhat hazy, which can be forgiven due to the alcohol content, with various versions suggesting the 1940s, 50s or 60s. Either way, it’s best served in a poco grande glass with a pineapple slice, a maraschino cherry and preferably on a Puerto Rican beach – bliss!
Nadine is one of the directors of eShores. She left school at 16 and went straight in to a travel agency. Over the 28 years she has worked her way up in various sectors of the industry and also as an overseas representative in both summer and ski resorts. She has travelled to many countries from Europe to the Far East, USA to Lapland. Her extensive knowledge and experience has helped build eShores and the best team around! As a mother of 2 girls she is just as busy out of the office as he is in, but she always makes time to chat and being an ex rep she knows how to put on a good staff party!
Our experienced personal travel consultants will ensure you find the most suitable holiday, whilst taking care of every last detail. Everything from start to finish will be effortless.
100% Tailor Made
We can use any hotel, in any destination, so we will craft an itinerary to suit your exact needs. Also, as we can provide any itinerary, the only holiday we'll offer, is the one that's right for you.
Fully Protected
Our ATOL bonding provides you with the financial protection you need and as a member of the Travel Trust Association, you'll have 100% financial protection. Covering you for any eventuality.
Competitive Pricing
As a tour operator & travel agent, we'll search the market to ensure that we find you the best price. Also as an online business, we can ensure our prices are as competitive as possible.
Excellent
4.93 Average 1907 Reviews
Linda
Fabulous service. I rang to ask about our short break to Istanbul and it was booked for us within the hour. You can’t get better service than that. Thank you Dave Felton
Posted 9 hours ago
Stephen
Kelly arranged my recently booked multi centre holiday, having used eShores on a couple of occasions previous the usual high standards remain! They get an understanding of you requirements, pull together a proposed itinerary, and then happily amend/ provide alternative costings for different hotels/ flights as required once you get in to the detail of what you want (easier to do with their proposed itinerary!). Great service, and at a good cost!
Posted 17 hours ago
TinaSmyth
Just returned from a trip to Singapore and Bali arranged by Andy had a brilliant time, couldn’t fault the service I had he arranged everything from flights accommodation and transfers. I would highly recommend eShores and would definitely use them again. ThankYou Andy
Posted 1 day ago
Stephen
Kelly from eshores listened and understood what we wanted from our holiday of which she was fantastic,very patient and set the whole holiday up. Very professional. Thank you.. Ste Leather
Posted 3 days ago
SarahC
Used eShores to book a multi destination holiday for 4 days in Miami then 10 days Jamaica. Really pleased with the hotels chosen especially Shelbourne in Miami and the service received especially follow up call to check everything was ok. Whole trip when smoothly
Posted 6 days ago
Stephen
We are looking forward to our 3 centre holiday in November to the USA, everything has been set up for us Chris was excellent in giving us all the details. We changed a few things after the first quote like you do but sorted it straight away. Excellent service, reasonable price and quick response just looking forward to the trip
Posted 1 week ago
ANDREWand Caroline McKie
We recently travelled to Bali much delayed by covid restrictions but found eshores very good with excellent communication keeping us up to date with advice on travell restrictions as circumstances changed. Our holiday when we were able to travel was fantastic exceeding our expectations ,and we feel certain that we will be using eShores for our next trip .
Posted 1 week ago
Tom& Gloria
We have just returned from a fantastic holiday at the Habtoor Grand Resort in Dubai - all organised by Kadie. The location of this hotel is at the end of the beach, near to the Sky Diving school, and the new Marina. It's also close to The Walk which has many shops and restaurants. Staff and service at the hotel were 5* and we would reccommend the upgrade to Club Rooms. We have travelled several times with eShores to different regions all of which were organised by Kadie. From our initial enquiry we are always given options on where to stay, activities and excursions and any potential offers that are available. The service provided by Kadie and eShores is exemplary and we have never had an issue using them. Looking forward to our next adventure to Australia - organised by Kadie of course.
Posted 1 week ago
Patricia
I can’t rate eShores enough and Andy in particular. Not only did he find us the best package for the best value but he was also very supportive and reassuring when I needed to contact him before and even during the trip with a couple of questions. Everything was organised like clockwork and took all the stress out. Next time I won’t bother shopping around and will go directly to eShores.
Posted 1 week ago
Liz
Matthew has looked after our holidays for several years and is very efficient and friendly. I always feel we have got the best deal and have never had any cause for complaint with E Shores