In this story:
- Cocktail making styles 101: find your perfect pour
- Classic cocktails: timeless and delicious
- Shake things up with fresh, fruity and sour cocktails
- Get playful with tropical cocktails
- Keep it light: spritzes and highballs
- For something sweeter: dessert and indulgent cocktails
- No booze, no problem: low and no-alcohol cocktail styles
- Which cocktail making style is right for you?
- Find your perfect cocktail style
If you’re searching for something a little bit different to shake it up a notch this weekend, our cocktail classes in London are a fantastic way to relax and unwind in 2026 as you learn tips and tricks from one of our resident master mixologists!
And there’s a whole world of cocktails beyond your go-to Espresso Martini. From sharp, citrusy sours and Martinis to fizzy spritzes and creative mocktails, cocktail making styles can be just as varied as the people who enjoy them.
Whether you're a seasoned cocktail enthusiast or completely new to mixology, exploring different styles is the best way to discover what you actually like to drink and what you'd enjoy learning to make yourself!
Cocktail making styles 101: find your perfect pour
So you're already a cocktail lover (or know someone who is) and you want to try a masterclass for your next night out. It helps to know what you're getting yourself in for! Different cocktail styles have their own personalities and flavours, so the right experience really depends on what you like to drink.
You don't need to already know every ingredient, but understanding some of the basics before you get shaking will make all the difference! It often comes down to a few key elements:
- The base spirit: Gin, rum, tequila, whisky and vodka all bring their own character to a drink, from botanical and herbal to smoky, sweet or warming.
- The balance: Cocktails can be sweet, sour, bitter, dry or a combination of several flavours. Getting this balance right is a huge part of what makes a drink work!
- The technique: Shaking, stirring, muddling or simply building a drink over ice can change its texture, temperature and dilution.
- The ingredients: Fresh citrus, bitters, herbs, fruit, syrups and liqueurs can completely transform the same base spirit.
- The finish: From a simple twist of orange peel to an elaborate tropical garnish, presentation is part of the cocktail experience too.
That's why two cocktails made with the same spirit can taste completely different. And once you start learning how these elements work together, you'll have a much better idea of which cocktail making styles you'd like to try yourself (even if you're tempted to stick to your usual).
Classic cocktails: timeless and delicious
Some cocktails never go out of style and you'll spot them on every drinks menu anywhere you go. Drinks like Martinis, Manhattans and Negronis – pretty simple ingredients, with an emphasis on the balance of each addition.
For drinks like these, the base spirit is the star of the show, rather than being hidden by juice or mixers. If you'd like to learn the foundations of mixology and master those iconic drinks you've always wanted to try, this is a great place to start!
Try this style if you like:
- Strong, spirit-led flavours
- Elegant and sophisticated drinks
- Cocktail history and tradition
- Gin, whisky or rum
- Drinks that aren't overly sweet
Learn it in London:
- Premium cocktail making class in Hackney.
They loved it and we think you will too...
"The teacher was passionate and very informative. The class was engaging and we learned a lot about cocktail making. Most importantly the cocktails were absolutely delicious!" - Poppy Hodgetts, Premium cocktail making class.
Shake things up with fresh, fruity and sour cocktails
If you prefer your cocktails to taste like sour sweets or all things juicy, this might be the winner. These drinks combine a spirit with citrus, syrups and other juices to make versatile cocktails like Cosmopolitans, Daiquiris and Margaritas.
The possibilities are endless with fun ingredients like these, and you'll end up with drinks that are tart, sweet, fruity or somewhere in between. A lovely choice for total beginners who want to master some easy drinks!
Try this style if you like:
- Fruity and refreshing flavours
- Margaritas and Daiquiris
- Sweet-and-sour combinations
- Colourful cocktails with fun decorations
Learn it in London:
- Cocktail making class in Covent Garden.
Get playful with tropical cocktails
Looking for something a little bit more creative? Tropical/tiki style cocktails will kick things up a notch! These delicious creations are mainly rum-based, and are known for using tropical fruits, spices, syrups and other unique ingredients.
They're usually super eye-catching and garnished up to the nines, making them even more fun to make yourself. The classics are drinks like the Mai Tai and Zombie, but there's plenty of room for experimentation!
Try this style if you like:
- Rum and tropical flavours
- Fruity cocktails
- Big, colourful garnishes
- Trying something a little unusual
Learn it in London:
- Cocktail making class in Shoreditch.
Keep it light: spritzes and highballs
Not every cocktail needs to be super complicated. Spritzes and highballs are all about keeping things light and refreshing! Your classic spritz combines a bitter or a cordial with sparkling wine and soda, while a highball uses spirits with a longer mixer and lots of ice.
They're the kind of drinks you might choose for a sunny afternoon in a beer garden! Think iconic choices like Aperol Spritzes and whisky highballs. They're lovely choices for anyone who's not a huge fan of overly-sweet or spirit heavy drinks.
Try this style if you like:
- Light and refreshing flavours
- Bubbles
- Bittersweet drinks
- Aperitivo culture
Learn it in London:
- Cocktail class with tapas in Hackney.
For something sweeter: dessert and indulgent cocktails
If you've got a sweet tooth, dessert-style cocktails will be right up your street! These delicious treats often use ingredients like coffee, chocolate, cream, caramel and sweet liqueurs. The Espresso Martini is the obvious example, but there's no shortage of other sweet cocktails to try.
This style is particularly fun for anyone who enjoys experimenting with unusual ingredients and wants their cocktail to feel like a full dessert as well as a drink. A lovely choice for anyone who prefers pudding over drinks, but still wants to give it a go.
Try this style if you like:
- Sweet and creamy flavours
- Coffee and chocolate
- Dessert
- Indulgent after-dinner drinks
Learn it in London:
- Choc-tails: cocktail and chocolate masterclass in Shoreditch.
No booze, no problem: low and no-alcohol cocktail styles
You don't need alcohol to enjoy the creativity of cocktail making. Low and no-alcohol drinks have become increasingly inventive, with bartenders using fresh ingredients, bitters, syrups, herbs and alcohol-free spirits to make gorgeous drinks!
A mocktail-making experience can therefore be about much more than pouring fruit juice into a glass. It's a great option for anyone who doesn't drink, is cutting down, or simply wants to discover another side of mixology.
Try this style if you like:
- Fresh and botanical flavours
- Alcohol-free drinks
- Creative mocktails
- Experimenting with ingredients
Learn it in London:
- Non-alcoholic cocktail making class in Hackney.
Which cocktail making style is right for you?
Still not sure? Let your favourite flavours do the talking.
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If you like... |
Try... |
The vibe |
Learn it in London |
|
Sharp, citrusy drinks |
Sweet and sours |
Bright, refreshing and perfectly balanced |
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Strong, spirit-forward drinks |
Classic cocktails |
Simple-looking but technique-led |
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|
Vibrant flavours |
Tropical cocktails |
Fruity, rum-led and playful |
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Light and refreshing drinks |
Spritzes and highballs |
Easy-drinking and bubbly |
|
|
Sweet, rich flavours |
Dessert cocktails |
Indulgent and fun |
|
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No or low alcohol |
Mocktails |
All the creativity, without the booze! |
Find your perfect cocktail style
The best thing about exploring cocktail making styles is that you don't have to be a cocktail expert to have an opinion. Maybe you're a Martini lover through and through, or you prefer your cocktails to just taste like juice and sweets (we get it). You might even find yourself trying flavours you never thought you'd enjoy.
Whatever your preference, a London cocktail masterclass is a chance learn from the experts and discover a new favourite drink along the way – preferably one that you'll feel very cool ordering at the bar.
Ready to find your style? Explore London's cocktail-making experiences and book your next mixology adventure!
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