Global Cocktails: How Different Cultures Celebrate with Spirits
Cocktails are more than just drinks; they’re snapshots of culture, tradition, and regional flavors. Across the globe, each country has its own iconic cocktails, from the refreshing Japanese highball to the zesty Brazilian caipirinha. Here’s a look at a few celebrated drinks from around the world, along with recipes so you can recreate these flavors at home and take a journey through global cocktail culture.
1. Japan: The Highball
The Japanese highball is a simple, elegant cocktail that’s become a staple in Japan’s bar culture. Combining whisky with sparkling water, this drink highlights the nuanced flavors of Japanese whisky, emphasizing balance and subtlety.
How to Make It:
1.5 oz Japanese whisky
4–5 oz sparkling water
Ice
Lemon twist (optional)
Instructions: Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour the whisky over the ice and gently stir. Top with sparkling water, give it a light stir, and garnish with a lemon twist if desired.
Why It’s Special: Japanese highballs are crafted with precision and often served with perfectly clear ice. The simplicity allows the whisky’s flavors to shine, making it a refreshing yet sophisticated choice.
2. Brazil: Caipirinha
Brazil’s national cocktail, the caipirinha, is a bright and tangy drink that uses cachaça, a sugarcane spirit similar to rum but with a more earthy, rustic flavor. It’s a staple at celebrations and gatherings throughout Brazil.
How to Make It:
2 oz cachaça
1 lime, quartered
2 tsp sugar
Ice
Instructions: Muddle the lime quarters with sugar in a glass to release the juice and oils. Fill the glass with ice, add cachaça, and stir well to combine.
Why It’s Special: The caipirinha is loved for its simplicity and punchy flavor. The combination of fresh lime and cachaça creates a refreshing drink perfect for warm-weather gatherings and beachside celebrations.
3. Italy: Aperol Spritz
The Aperol Spritz is an Italian classic, evoking the relaxed, social atmosphere of an Italian piazza. Its light, bitter-sweet taste makes it a refreshing aperitivo, often enjoyed in the late afternoon before dinner.
How to Make It:
2 oz Aperol
3 oz prosecco
1 oz soda water
Ice
Orange slice
Instructions: Fill a glass with ice, pour in Aperol, prosecco, and a splash of soda water. Stir gently, and garnish with an orange slice.
Why It’s Special: The Aperol Spritz has a vibrant orange color and a light, refreshing bitterness that pairs well with Italian antipasti. It’s designed to be enjoyed slowly, making it perfect for socializing.
4. Mexico: Margarita
A Mexican icon, the Margarita combines tequila with lime juice and Cointreau for a perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Whether enjoyed on the rocks or frozen, it’s a cocktail that represents Mexican vibrancy and hospitality.
How to Make It:
2 oz tequila
1 oz lime juice
1 oz Cointreau or triple sec
Salt for the rim (optional)
Ice
Instructions: Salt the rim of a glass if desired. Shake tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau with ice, then strain into a glass over fresh ice.
Why It’s Special: The Margarita is lively, refreshing, and versatile, making it a perfect complement to spicy Mexican cuisine and celebrations.
5. France: French 75
The French 75, named after a World War I artillery gun, is a sophisticated champagne cocktail with gin and lemon juice. It’s popular for festive occasions and has a refined yet playful character.
How to Make It:
1 oz gin
0.5 oz lemon juice
0.5 oz simple syrup
2 oz champagne
Lemon twist
Instructions: Shake the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a champagne flute, top with champagne, and garnish with a lemon twist.
Why It’s Special: The French 75 is the epitome of French elegance, combining the celebratory nature of champagne with the botanical notes of gin. It’s a timeless choice for parties and celebrations.
6. Cuba: Mojito
The Mojito is Cuba’s gift to the cocktail world—a refreshing blend of rum, mint, lime, and sugar. It’s a perfect drink for summer, evoking images of Havana’s sunny streets and vibrant culture.
How to Make It:
2 oz white rum
1 oz lime juice
2 tsp sugar
6–8 fresh mint leaves
Soda water
Ice
Instructions: Muddle mint leaves and sugar in a glass. Add lime juice, rum, and ice. Top with soda water and garnish with a mint sprig.
Why It’s Special: The Mojito’s fresh, minty flavor is both cooling and invigorating, embodying the spirit of Cuban relaxation and celebration.
7. Russia: Moscow Mule
While not originally Russian, the Moscow Mule is associated with vodka, Russia’s favorite spirit. Served in a copper mug, this cocktail is known for its spicy ginger kick and refreshing lime.
How to Make It:
2 oz vodka
0.5 oz lime juice
4–6 oz ginger beer
Ice
Lime wedge
Instructions: Fill a copper mug with ice, pour in vodka and lime juice, and top with ginger beer. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wedge.
Why It’s Special: The Moscow Mule’s combination of vodka and ginger beer provides a refreshing spice, making it an easy, approachable cocktail that’s ideal for year-round enjoyment.
8. United States: Old Fashioned
One of the oldest cocktails, the Old Fashioned is a timeless American drink. Made with whiskey, sugar, and bitters, it’s the perfect balance of sweet, bitter, and strong—a true classic for whiskey lovers.
How to Make It:
2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
1 sugar cube or 1 tsp simple syrup
2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel
Ice
Instructions: Muddle the sugar and bitters in a glass. Add whiskey and ice, then stir. Garnish with an orange peel.
Why It’s Special: The Old Fashioned represents simplicity and quality. It’s a cocktail where each ingredient shines, and it embodies American tradition and craftsmanship.
The Cultural History of Scotch Whisky
Scotch whisky is a spirit with a storied past, intertwined with the culture and heritage of Scotland for hundreds of years. The first recorded mention of Scotch whisky, or “uisge beatha” (Gaelic for “water of life”), dates back to 1494, when a monk named Friar John Cor was granted permission to distill “eight bolls of malt,” enough to produce hundreds of gallons of whisky. Early Scotch was rough and unrefined compared to the complex spirit we enjoy today, but it quickly became integral to Scottish culture, used for medicinal purposes, ceremonies, and celebrations.
In the 18th century, Scotch whisky faced significant challenges due to high taxation imposed by the British government, leading many distillers to operate illicitly. Scotland’s landscape of hidden valleys and remote glens became perfect for these secret operations, with illegal distillers producing whisky under cover of night. In 1823, the Excise Act legalized whisky distillation, allowing distillers to operate openly, and many of today’s well-known Scotch brands emerged from these once-secret distilleries. Over time, the art of Scotch-making became more sophisticated, with single malt and blended whiskies emerging as distinct styles. Today, Scotch is celebrated worldwide as a spirit that embodies craftsmanship, tradition, and the spirit of Scotland itself.
9. The Rob Roy
One classic Scotch cocktail with a rich history is the Rob Roy, a drink invented in 1894 at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Named after the famous Scottish folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor, this cocktail is a Scotch-based twist on the Manhattan, offering a perfect way to appreciate the richness of the spirit.
Rob Roy Recipe
2 oz Scotch whisky (blended or single malt)
3/4 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange or lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions: Add the Scotch, vermouth, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well-chilled, then strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with an orange or lemon twist.
The Rob Roy’s subtle sweetness from the vermouth enhances the Scotch’s smoky notes, making it a well-balanced cocktail that honors both American and Scottish traditions.
Join Us to Discover the World of Scotch
For anyone fascinated by the history and flavor of Scotch, our Art of the Cocktail class on November 12 offers the perfect opportunity to dive into this storied spirit. You’ll explore the nuances of single malt and blended Scotch, learn how these different styles evolved, and gain hands-on experience crafting cocktails that showcase Scotch’s versatility. Book your spot now and experience an evening that celebrates both tradition and innovation in the world of Scotch whisky.
Cheers to Global Flavors
Exploring the world through cocktails lets us taste the diverse flavors and traditions each country has to offer. From the crisp Japanese highball to the bold Mexican Margarita, each drink brings a piece of its culture to your glass. Try these recipes at home, and raise a glass to the beauty of global cocktail traditions.
Enjoy your journey through international flavors—one sip at a time.
Join us on November 12th for a journey through the history and cultural roots of scotch. Reserve your spots today.
