10 easy vegan cocktails you’ll love

Looking for a more sustainable way to enjoy a cocktail? Look no further than our ten best recipes for vegan cocktails.

According to the Guardian, more than a third of the UK public are interested in becoming vegan. It’s a trend that has exploded in recent years and shows no signs of slowing down.

With this in mind, we decided to give some certified, delicious recipes that you’ll love. Strictly vegan, of course…

1. Cranberry Mojito Punch

Punchy by name, punchy by nature, this zesty summertime mojito punch will be refreshing you on those beautiful, hot sunny days. Packed full of vitamins B and C from the cranberry juice, the Cranberry Mojito Punch is a sure-fire winner.

Ingredients:

• Light rum 60ml
• Cranberry juice 60ml
• Fresh lime juice 20ml
• Caster sugar 1 tbsp
• Fresh mint leaves 8-12
• Cranberries 5-7
• Soda water

Method:

1. Add the sugar and fresh mint into the glass to muddle.
2. Next, add the cranberries and the fresh lime juice to muddle once more.
3. Pour in the light rum and cranberry juice into the glass. Here you can add the ice.
4. Top with soda water.

2. Plum Gin Sting

This vegan-friendly Sweet Potato Plum Gin is bursting with flavour. The sweetness of the plum and bitterness of the juniper berries play an amazing symphony on your tongue. This recipe is such an easy and delicious one, you have to try it.

Ingredients:

• Sweet Potato Plum Gin 40ml
• Fresh lemon juice 20ml
• Sugar syrup 10ml
• Prosecco

Method:

1. Add the Sweet Potato Plum Gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup into a cocktail shaker and shake well.
2. Strain the ingredients into a Champagne flute.
3. Top with Prosecco.

3. Vegan mulled wine

It may be a drink for Christmas time, but we had to include it. Using red apples, juicy oranges and spicey cloves, it’s the perfect drink for those cold winter nights. Be sure to buy a vegan wine, a Merlot would be our recommendation!

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of vegan red wine
• 1 red apple
• 2 oranges
• ½ lemon
• 4 cloves
• 1 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Caster sugar 100g

Method:

1. First, chop all the fruit. The lemon and oranges should be cut into thin slices. The red apple can be cut into thicker slices.
2. Then, put all the ingredients into a saucepan on a low heat, gently stirring from time to time. It should take around 30 minutes of simmering to be perfect.
3. Once time is up, you can adjust the flavour to how you like. More spicey, fruity or sweet?

Read our other blog about easy Christmas cocktails here.

4. Silver Rum Punch

So, it’s another punch. But this one is a super fruity with orange, pineapple and cranberry juice balancing the flavours nicely. Add the rum and grenadine, and you have yourself another perfect summer drink. We recommend using the Barcardi Silver for the best taste!

Ingredients:

• Barcardi Silver Rum 60ml
• Orange juice 40ml
• Pineapple juice 40ml
• Cranberry juice 30ml
• Fresh lime juice 10ml
• Grenadine 10ml

Method:

1. Add all of the ingredients, except the grenadine, with ice into a cocktail shaker and shake well for around 30 seconds.
2. Strain into a glass with fresh ice and pour the grenadine to sink to the bottom of the cocktail.

5. Tequila Mockingbird

Way out west in Notting Hill, London, stands Farmacy Kitchen as a beacon in the vegan skyline, with its entirely plant-based menu. From its alchemy bar, its amusingly named Tequila Mockingbird cocktail is fully loaded with tequila, as well as lime juice and pink Himalayan salt for a healthy kick.

Ingredients:

• Tequila 50ml
• Lime 30ml
• Apple syrup 20ml

Method:

1. Add all of the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with some ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Rim the Martini glass with some lime juice and cover with Himalayan salt to form the salt rim.
4. Strain into the Martini glass.

Ever wondered how is tequila made? Our blog, here, explains all…

6. Spiked Michelada

Sticking with Mexico once again, this michelada is perfect for a vegan diet. Using beer for this recipe, it’s for those who enjoy beer, spice and all things nice. It might sound strange but don’t underestimate this drink, it’s amazing!

Ingredients:

• 1 bottle of beer
• Tomato juice 230ml
• 1 lime – juiced
• Vegan Worcester sauce 1 tsp
• Tabasco sauce
• Habanero powder
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Tajin
• Angustora bitters (optional)

Method:

1. Rim the glass with Tajin and salt by rubbing lime on the glass rim to be able to stick.
2. Place the tomato sauce, lime juice, vegan Worcester sauce, pinch of salt, pinch of black pepper, pinch of Habanero powder and Tabasco sauce with a few ice cubes into a cocktail shaker. Angustora bitters should be added here, if using.
3. Shake well.
4. Pour into an ice filled glass.
5. Top with the beer of choice.

7. Rose and Lemon Spritzer

Pretty in pink but hearty in drink, this Rose and Lemon Spritzer is beautiful and delicious! Using rose water, lemon juice, vodka, agave syrup, sparkling water and blood orange, it finally comes into its own when garnished with fresh edible flowers. It pleases your eyes and mouth.

Ingredients:

• Vodka 60ml
• Rose water 30ml
• Fresh lemon juice 30ml
• Agave syrup 15ml
• Fresh blood orange juice 10ml
• Sparkling water

Method:

1. Combine all the ingredients, except the sparkling water, into a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into an ice filled glass and top with sparkling water.
4. Decorate with edible flowers, if desired.

8. Vegan Baileys

Irish cream is obviously not vegan and for decades vegans have struggled to find an alternative. Until now! You can actually buy a bottle of dairy-free Baileys now, which uses almond milk instead of cow’s milk. However, we think this is way more fun and tastier. Please note, this is a batch recipe.

Ingredients:

• Irish whiskey 230ml
• 1 can of light coconut milk
• 1 can of full-fat coconut milk
• Fairtrade brown sugar 115g
• Strong coffee 170ml

Method:

1. Whisk both coconut milks in a large bowl and slowly add the brown sugar. Whisk until well mixed.
2. Add the mixture into a saucepan and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring throughout.
3. Pour the coffee and whiskey into the mixture and continue to stir.
4. Take off the heat and leave to rest.
5. Once significantly cooler, pour into a bottle to store.

9. Goldrush Sour

Inspired by the classic Whiskey Sour, this Sour is egg-free. Just three ingredients make this vegan-friendly twist: Four Roses Bourbon, fresh lemon juice and agave syrup. Pour over the rocks for the perfect whiskey drinking experience.

Ingredients:

• Four Roses Bourbon 50ml
• Fresh lemon juice 40ml
• Agave syrup 15ml
• Angustora bitters (optional)

Method:

1. Pour all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain the liquid into a glass with ice.
4. Add a couple dashes of the Angustora bitters on top.

10. The Butterfly

Let’s end on a really simple, but great tasting vegan cocktail. Just two ingredients are needed to make this well-balanced red beauty. The vegan spin on the cocktail is the Crème de Violette, which replaces Advocaat. However, we think the Violette gives it an extra aroma, not reached with the Advocaat.

Ingredients:

• Cherry brandy 45ml
• Creme de Violette 45ml

Method:

1. Chill the Martini glass in a freezer before serving.
2. Add both ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice.
3. Shake well.
4. Strain into a Martini glass without ice and serve.

Now, the next time you have your vegan friends around for a party, there’s no need to panic! Trust us, these ten vegan cocktails are certain to impress them…
Looking for more cocktail recipes? Read our blog on the best cocktails to make at home.

Want to learn bartending professionally? Take a look at our EBS Bartender Courses.