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The 10 tastiest cocktails we made in 2022

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 15 Dec 2022

By
Emily Reed

Martinis with a twist, a cheeky Pornstar, and “the one with prosecco in it”.

Like Spotify Wrapped for beverages (kinda?) we’re sharing what you – and other Dan Murphy’s devotees – were shaking, sipping and loving this year. And just like Taylor Swift’s Anti-Hero, perhaps there’s a cocktail you proudly played (read: drank) on repeat at every house party you attended. That Paloma really slaps! See if your favourite(s) made the list.  
French Martini
1. The French Martini Let’s kick it off with something sweet (and pretty), shall we? The secret to the frothy finish of this French Martini is in the pineapple juice and the shaking. Traditionally other versions of it switch cranberry juice for pineapple juice – however, cranberry juice just doesn’t get that nice foamy finish, which is why we’ve opted for pineapple. When it comes to how you shake it, the ice not only chills and slightly dilutes the drink, but also incorporates tiny air bubbles that work to achieve the foam. Make sure you shake well for at least 10 seconds before straining into a chilled glass. This is the perfect drink for those who prefer their cocktails a little sweeter, while still providing just the right amount of je ne sais quoi.
2. Limoncello SpritzWe know why this was popular – you were all manifesting Amalfi Coast holidays, weren’t you? Same. Sure, Aperol Spritzes get a lot of airtime, but adding Limoncello instead of Aperol and mixing up the traditional ratios leads to something pretty magical. Limoncello is produced in southern Italy and is made in both big factories and the backyards of Nonnas. Eat at just about any Italian restaurant and the owner will drop a big bottle of it on your table as a digestivo, because Italy. Don’t be afraid to play with the ingredients in this one to suit your guests’ tastes – up the limoncello for a more intense lemon flavour, or add extra prosecco for extra bubbles. Soda water will dilute the mixture further, so don't be afraid to go easy on the wine and liqueur and let the soda bring the fizz.
Limoncello Spritz
Pornstar Martini
3. Jess Nguyen's Pornstar Martini Jessica Nguyen knows what’s up when it comes to entertaining (and making her guests very cheeky cocktails). Nguyen explains that the Pornstar Martini is made up of two elements: the first, a Martini glass of syrupy passionfruit and vanilla juice, and the second a shot glass of Champagne or prosecco or any sparkling wine. Served on the side or poured into the main event, the sparkling wine cuts through the sweetness of the Martini and makes it all a bit of fun. Dry Martini fans, sorry, this one will not tickle your fancy. But if you’re a sweet n’ fruity kind of person then you’ll enjoy this glamourous and zesty twist on a classic. These Martinis are best mixed one or two at a time – and if you’re planning to make these for a crowd, make sure you ask a mate to pick up a bag of ice on the way to yours so there’s plenty to shake (and chill glasses) with.
4. Amaretto SourAt some point in the 1970s, a brave bartender experimented with using amaretto, an Italian liqueur, instead of the traditional whisky in a Whisky Sour – and the Amaretto Sour was born. Cheers to that! If you’ve ever wondered what makes amaretto so damn delicious, you’ve landed on the right cocktail spiel: it’s made from apricot, almonds and peach stones, resulting in a sweet, nutty flavour. Because of this, it's often added to desserts and coffee. This cocktail can be sipped at the start or the end of the evening – the nutty sweetness of the amaretto and the sourness of the lemon juice and bitters just work; the secret to this drink’s silky-smooth finish and lovely frothy head is the egg white. Fun fact: the fresher the egg, the better the froth! A great vegan alternative is two tablespoons of aquafaba (the gelatinous liquid from a chickpea can). Who knew?
Amaretto Sour
Long Island Iced Tea
5. Long Island Iced TeaThis cocktail is proof that ratios are everything and greed leads to disaster. Luckily for you, a good bartender, or a recipe like this one, will ensure the flavour combinations aren’t sacrificed. There are four different spirits in a Long Island Iced Tea – maybe that’s why it’s one of the most popular cocktails in the world! Somehow the combination of gin, vodka, white rum and tequila works nicely, while a splash of cola adds a bit of fizzy fun and refreshment. This is a drink you shouldn’t be afraid to add your own spin to – try lemonade instead of cola or even change up the spirits. Why not get creative with your gin? Different gins will bring different botanicals to the mix, altering the flavour profile of your cocktail. Regardless of how you approach a Long Island Iced Tea, it’s one to try, especially as the weather warms up and you’re on the search for something summery.
6. Paloma When you think of a Mexican cocktail, the mind automatically goes to a Margarita (don’t get us wrong, we love a good Margy), but this is a moment for the Paloma – which is actually considered Mexico's national drink. It’s bubbly, citrusy and will keep every type of cocktail drinker happy. Best enjoyed when the weather is so hot that you consider whipping down to your local shopping centre to pick up a kiddie pool, the Paloma offers sweetness from agave and sugar, sourness from lime and grapefruit, bubbles from the soda water and a kick from the blanco Tequila. More into mezcal than Tequila? Replace your Tequila with mezcal you’ll enjoy the smoky complexity it brings to the cocktail. Alternatively, try switching out the soda for sparkling rosé for what we'll call a Posh Paloma.
Paloma
Honeyrita
7. Louis Hanson's Honeyrita What is a Honeyrita? It’s a Margarita with honey. And what’s the secret to a killer Honeyrita? Aside from the honey, it’s also about the rosemary – using it to rim the glass adds a really unique flavour – so make sure the rosemary is nice and fresh and chopped up as finely as possible. Another crucial ingredient is lemon; while store-bought lemon juice is an easier option, you won’t get the same fresh, citrusy taste as you would from a freshly squeezed lemon – so find a mate with a lemon tree, would ya? Another tip from us: before you start mixing and shaking, take a moment to make the honey syrup. Start by heating up a cup of water in a saucepan to a gentle simmer then slowly add in your cup of honey and stir slowly – once the honey is dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool. What a sweet treat!
8. Bloody Shiraz Gin CocktailsAhh, yes, Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz is that good we pulled together not one but five ways to enjoy it – including in some tasty cocktails. This incredible feat of alchemy has been winning hearts and filling glasses of gin drinkers since 2015; it’s created by infusing cool climate Yarra Valley shiraz grapes with Four Pillars Rare Dry Gin for eight weeks before pressing the whole mix. It combines classically botanical gin with hints of citrus and spice plus an added sweetness from the ripeness of the shiraz. *Chefs kiss*. Try adding a mixer to it (tonic being the obvious choice) or make a bloody version of a gin cocktail (think: Tom Collins but a little more murderous) – its subtle sweetness means you can even sip on it neat. And if you’re after a non-alc version, you’re in luck – Four Pillars recently released the Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Bandwagon.
Bloody Shiraz bottle with cocktails
Negroni Sbagliato
9. Negroni Sbagliato

Who knew that a Negroni Sbagliato would take over our TikTok For You Pages and have us changing our go-to cocktail order at after-work drinks on a Friday? This was the hottest drink of choice, all thanks to a casual interview between two House of Dragon co-stars, Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cook. Yes, it’s “the one with prosecco in it”. So, what is a Negroni Sbagliato? A twist on the classic and much-loved Negroni, the Sbagliato version replaces the gin with prosecco or spumante (a category of Italian sparkling wine). Overall, it’s lighter and spritzier, perfect as an aperitif. In terms of flavour, the profile of a Sbagliato is less like a Negroni and more akin to an Americano – which sees soda added to Campari and sweet vermouth. Fun fact: Sbagliato means ‘wrong’ or ‘mistake’ in Italian; this might be the best mistake you’ve ever made!

 

10. Lychee Martini A sweet, simple take on a traditional Martini, the Lychee Martini – or ‘Lycheetini’ if you’re short on time –  includes just two elements: vodka and lychee, in the form of liqueur as well as whole fruit. A tin of lychees from the supermarket or Asian grocer will have you making this well-balanced cocktail in no time; as for lychee liqueur (and vodka), we can definitely help you out there! If you want to get a little adventurous, you could also try experimenting with different spirit bases. Gin creates a softer, more floral cocktail, but be sure to avoid a London dry gin as the juniper notes will be too strong and interfere with the lychee. Yep, you heard it here first – lychee and juniper berries don’t get along. Scandalous.
Lychee Martini
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Authour image
Emily ReedEmily is a Melbourne-based writer partial to a good pét nat. Her hobbies include lining up songs on Spotify at house parties and hovering near cheese platters.
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Hit ListSpiritsCocktailsCocktail making
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