Espresso Martinis named the nation’s favourite cocktail

Espresso Martinis have been named the nation’s favourite cocktail, having beat out other popular choices like Strawberry Daiquiris, Mojitos and Pina Coladas, new data shows.

Just Eat for Business’ Cocktail Championship study reveals which cocktails and mocktails are Brits’ go-to on a night out – including the most popular spirits and fruit accompaniments – based on a recipe analysis of the UK’s most popular recipe site.

The polarising choice was found to boast the highest average rating across the number of recipes featured on the site, making it the standout favourite, followed by other staples like Mojitos, Pina Coladas, Sex on the Beach and Long Island Iced Teas.

When it comes to which mocktails topped the list, it’s the Virgin Mojito that held the best ratings – while it’s alcoholic counterpart proved the second most popular cocktail overall.

This suggests it’s the mocktail that proves the most similar to its alcoholic iteration, as both rank highly in their respective ranks. On the other end of the scale, it’s Sidecar Mocktails, Virgin New York Sours and Negroni Mocktails that are least popular.

When it comes to which cocktails don’t seem to make much of an impression, it’s a Black Russian, Cuba Libre and Bloody Mary which reported the lowest rankings.

But what about those of us who don’t have a particular cocktail preference, but who like to consider the components of commonly-ordered drinks?

The analysis found that the most popular spirit across all drinks analysed was vodka, which appeared in 20 of the recipes, followed by gin that occurred in 13 and rum that was the main ingredient in 15 recipes. Other spirits that featured included tequila, Pimm’s and wine.

When it comes to fruity flavours, the data also revealed that citrus is the secret to a top-quality cocktail (and mocktail), with the top three fruit flavours across both coming out as lime, lemon and orange.

Surprisingly, mocktails proved slightly more popular on the whole with an average rating of 4.7/5 compared to 4.5/5 for cocktails, while nutritional breakdowns revealed the average mocktail contains 111 fewer calories than their alcoholic counterparts – but took slightly longer to create.

Commenting on the popularity of cocktails and mocktails in the UK, London-based Mixologist Harp Mann (Mix.Mann on Instagram) weighs in, saying: “Cocktails have seen a great resurgence since the dark days of the 80s where sweetened watered down drinks were bedecked with umbrellas.

“The interest in better food and wine since those times has evolved the British palate and has seen a growth in the popularity of better drinks too. The gin craze over the past decade is evidence of this and cocktail culture has benefitted as a result. Better bars has resulted in the better quality of drink and that has helped create huge interest in cocktails again over the past few years.

“Cocktails offer theatre, a treat, opulence, fun, good times – essentially an experience – so there’s the social element of them. Also mixed drinks offer a great way to experience new flavours, new spirits and aperitifs, more premium or better quality ingredients too.”

Cocktail bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana, or Mr Lyan, added: “It’s been great to see how quickly people have responded to reopening as a result! Cocktail bars balance the idea of socialising more than other spaces – pubs are quotidian, and restaurants are functional (although both are still special!) – and they manage to create a sense of fun; the lack of which people have been made very aware of with their absence.”

Looking at search trend data shows that searches for ‘cocktail bar’ have seen a staggering 56% increase since indoor bars were allowed to open on 17th May, suggesting Brits are excited to be drinking their favourite cocktails again.