The 36 best cocktails in the world (and where to drink them) revealed by Time Out, with a shimmering blue Negroni taking the top spot

  • The global list of 36 of the best tipples has been compiled by Time Out and features bars across 28 countries
  • The top-rated cocktail is a shimmering blue 'Aegean Negroni' that is served in one of the best bars in Athens
  • Cocktails that are created in bars from Singapore and Boston to Melbourne and London also make the list 

By Jennifer Newton for MailOnline

Published: 07:25 EDT, 25 July 2019 | Updated: 07:30 EDT, 25 July 2019

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The best cocktails in the world right now have been revealed - and it is a shimmering blue Negroni served in one of Athens' best bars that takes the top spot.

The list of 36 of the best tipples has been compiled by Time Out and includes outstanding cocktails created in bars from Singapore and Boston to Melbourne and London.

The list spans 27 cities in 18 countries, featuring everything from classic cocktails to extravagant creations, and reveals a trend towards provenance and local ingredients and a renewed interest in re-imagining established recipes.

The countdown coincides with the 2019 Drink List – Time Out's 'comprehensive guide to the best bars in the world's greatest cities' – and has been curated by 'Time Out's global network of local expert editors and contributors'.

James Manning, global projects editor at Time Out, said: 'It's thirsty work researching the best things to do in the world's greatest cities – so it's just as well that our global network of local editors and experts is well versed in where to find something great to drink.

'The tipples that they've picked for our curated list of the world's best cocktails show that there's never been a better time for adventurous drinkers, with local flavours and imaginative spins on the classics dominating the field. It shows that there's much more to mixology than turning out the perfect Martini – although that's on the list too.' Scroll down to discover the best cocktails in the world right now...

The number one cocktail on the Time Out list is the Aegean Negroni, which is served at The Clumsies bar in Athens. Described as 'refreshingly bitter', the shimmering blue drink is made with local ingredients including fragrant dittany - a herb that only grows on the island of Crete
The second best cocktail on the list is the Peranakan, which is served in Native - a Singapore bar that Time Out says leans heavily on the tastes of south-east Asia. The cocktail blends laksa leaves, candlenuts and palm sugar and is finished off with jackfruit rum and a garnish made from locally sourced goat's milk. It is described as a 'homage to the Peranakan Chinese cuisine of Penang, Malacca and Singapore'

The number one cocktail on the Time Out list is the Aegean Negroni, left, which is served at The Clumsies bar in Athens. Described as 'refreshingly bitter', the shimmering blue drink is made with local ingredients including fragrant dittany - a herb that only grows on the Greek island of Crete. Pictured right is the second-best cocktail, the Peranakan, which is served in Native - a Singapore bar that Time Out says leans heavily on the tastes of south-east Asia. The cocktail blends laksa leaves, candlenuts and palm sugar and is finished off with jackfruit rum and a garnish made from locally sourced goat's milk. It is described as a 'homage to the Peranakan Chinese cuisine of Penang, Malacca and Singapore'

The Clumsies bar in Athens, which is home to the Aegean Negroni. Time Out says it is the most famous cocktail bar in Athens

The Clumsies bar in Athens, which is home to the Aegean Negroni. Time Out says it is the most famous cocktail bar in Athens

Native in Singapore, where customers can order the 'second best' cocktail, Peranakan

Native in Singapore, where customers can order the 'second best' cocktail, Peranakan

Served at The Baldwin Bar in Boston, the All Hail The Queen cocktail is a 'striking drink that is topped with an intricate portrait of soul singer Erykah Badu'. Time Out describes the drink as a 'smooth concoction', which includes Tanqueray 10, olive oil, lime, chestnut and egg. It was created by self-taught Boston bartender Ran Duan

Served at The Baldwin Bar in Boston, the All Hail The Queen cocktail is a 'striking drink that is topped with an intricate portrait of soul singer Erykah Badu'. Time Out describes the drink as a 'smooth concoction', which includes Tanqueray 10, olive oil, lime, chestnut and egg. It was created by self-taught Boston bartender Ran Duan

In fourth place is the gin-based cocktail Searching For The Emerald Sea, which Time Out says is a 'feast for the eyes'. It is served at The Aviary in New York and comes in a see-through porthole. The drink changes colour as the seasonal ingredients - which might include peaches, beet slices and celery curls - infuse

In fourth place is the gin-based cocktail Searching For The Emerald Sea, which Time Out says is a 'feast for the eyes'. It is served at The Aviary in New York and comes in a see-through porthole. The drink changes colour as the seasonal ingredients - which might include peaches, beet slices and celery curls - infuse

The swish Aviary cocktail bar in New York City. It is located inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel on the 35th floor and has sweeping views of Columbus Circle and Central Park

The swish Aviary cocktail bar in New York City. It is located inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel on the 35th floor and has sweeping views of Columbus Circle and Central Park

In fifth place is the No1 Cup, which is served at The SG Club in Tokyo. It is described as a fusion of two classic drinks - the single-serve sake often found at Tokyo izakaya (the Japanese equivalent of gastropubs), and the famous British summer cocktail Pimm's. Time Out says: 'No1 Cup is an effervescent and refreshing tipple served in a glass that looks just like the famous one-cup sake'

In fifth place is the No1 Cup, which is served at The SG Club in Tokyo. It is described as a fusion of two classic drinks - the single-serve sake often found at Tokyo izakaya (the Japanese equivalent of gastropubs), and the famous British summer cocktail Pimm's. Time Out says: 'No1 Cup is an effervescent and refreshing tipple served in a glass that looks just like the famous one-cup sake'

Claiming sixth place is the Omiero, which is served at Hotel Casa Awolly in Mexico City. Combining flora and natural ingredients, the drink is said to 'open the gates of healing and protection'. The recipe includes rum, homemade Castilla pumpkin butter, omiero (an aromatic blend of herbs) and lime

Claiming sixth place is the Omiero, which is served at Hotel Casa Awolly in Mexico City. Combining flora and natural ingredients, the drink is said to 'open the gates of healing and protection'. The recipe includes rum, homemade Castilla pumpkin butter, omiero (an aromatic blend of herbs) and lime

The Mirror Margarita that's served at Hacha - a bar in the Dalston area of London - comes seventh on the list. It is completely transparent, which Time Out says is 'deceptive'. It adds: 'It still has the exact same sourness and saltiness you’d expect from a classic Marg'

The Mirror Margarita that's served at Hacha - a bar in the Dalston area of London - comes seventh on the list. It is completely transparent, which Time Out says is 'deceptive'. It adds: 'It still has the exact same sourness and saltiness you’d expect from a classic Marg'

In eighth spot is the Spiced Rusty Cherry that is served at the Red Frog speakeasy in Lisbon. The 'punchy cocktail' blends ruby port wine, Lisbon’s signature ginjinha (wild cherry liqueur) with a splash of Venezuelan rum, chocolate bitters and smoked cinnamon

In eighth spot is the Spiced Rusty Cherry that is served at the Red Frog speakeasy in Lisbon. The 'punchy cocktail' blends ruby port wine, Lisbon’s signature ginjinha (wild cherry liqueur) with a splash of Venezuelan rum, chocolate bitters and smoked cinnamon

At number nine is the Margarita OK! available at Cantina OK in Sydney. The bar has room for just 20 patrons and is located in a former garage. The Margarita OK! features tequila and mezcal procured by the owners on their travels through Mexico served over a mountain of shaved ice from an eye-catching bright yellow, hand-cranked machine

At number nine is the Margarita OK! available at Cantina OK in Sydney. The bar has room for just 20 patrons and is located in a former garage. The Margarita OK! features tequila and mezcal procured by the owners on their travels through Mexico served over a mountain of shaved ice from an eye-catching bright yellow, hand-cranked machine

Rounding off the top ten is The Sun Also Rises, served at The Old Man in Hong Kong. Described as 'spicy', the green cocktail, named after a Hemingway novel, features sweet vermouth prepared sous-vide with pandan leaves, curry leaf-infused gin, coconut oil-washed applejack and kaffir lime

Rounding off the top ten is The Sun Also Rises, served at The Old Man in Hong Kong. Described as 'spicy', the green cocktail, named after a Hemingway novel, features sweet vermouth prepared sous-vide with pandan leaves, curry leaf-infused gin, coconut oil-washed applejack and kaffir lime

THE TOP 36 COCKTAILS IN THE WORLD ACCORDING TO TIME OUT 

1. Aegean Negroni - The Clumsies, Athens, Greece This refreshingly bitter, shimmering blue Negroni made with local ingredients is served at Athens’s most famous cocktail bar.

2. Peranakan - Native, Singapore This cocktail blends laksa leaves, candlenuts and gula melaka (palm sugar) and is finished off with jackfruit rum and a garnish made from locally sourced goat’s milk.

3. All Hail The Queen - The Baldwin Bar, Boston, USA Topped with an intricate portrait of soul goddess Erykah Badu, this smooth concoction of Tanqueray 10, olive oil, lime, chestnut and egg was created by self-taught master Boston bartender Ran Duan.

4. Searching For The Emerald Sea - The Aviary, New York, USA This gin-based cocktail is a feast for the eyes. Served in a see-through porthole, the drink changes colour as the seasonal ingredients infuse.

5. No1 Cup - The SG Club, Tokyo, Japan No1 Cup is an effervescent and refreshing tipple served in a glass that looks just like the famous one-cup sake.

6. Omiero - Hotel Casa Awolly, Mexico City, Mexico For those who want their cocktail with a side of spirituality, the Omiero is the most magical drink on the list. 

7. Mirror Margarita - Hacha, London, UK Have you ever seen a completely transparent Margarita? This clear cocktail’s uncharacteristic appearance is deceptive...

8. Spiced Rusty Cherry - Red Frog, Lisbon, Portugal The Red Frog blends ruby port wine, wild cherry liqueur, Venezuelan rum, chocolate bitters and smoked cinnamon.

9. Margarita OK! - Cantina OK, Sydney, Australia Looking for one of the world’s best Margaritas? Margarita OK! can be found in a mezcaleria with room for just 20 patrons in a former garage. 

10. The Sun Also Rises - The Old Man, Hong Kong This spicy, green cocktail from Time Out Hong Kong’s number one bar is named after a Hemingway novel.

11. Tequilini at the Eatery Social Taqueria, Malmö, Sweden A cocktail made by reusing and reinventing surplus restaurant ingredients - cava that's gone flat and lime wedges that have been squeezed dry.

12. Piña Colada at Sweet Liberty, Miami, USA Features a signature blend of unusual ingredients you won't find in any other Piña Colada, like coffee and sherry.

13. Martini at the Dukes Bar - London, UK The perfect Martini, served in an old-world British hotel bar – this was James Bond creator Ian Fleming's Martini of choice. 

14. Green Ant Negroni at the Wildflower, Perth, Australia - Features Adelaide Hills Green Ant Gin, which is distilled using actual green ants, hand-harvested by the Northern Territory's Larrakia people.

15. Tequila Verde at Clooney Kitchen and Bar, Melbourne, Australia This drink varies each day depending on what greenery is on offer at the local market.

 

16. Smoked Chai Manhattan at the Oak Long Bar, Boston, USA A twist on a classic served in a theatrical cloud of smoke.   

 17. Martini at the Musso & Frank Grill, Los Angeles, USA  America's own classic Martini, this is a Hollywood staple.

18. Tiki Bandit at Frankie's Tiki Room, Las Vegas, USA A tiki cocktail served in a slot machine-shaped mug in America's cocktail capital.

19. Kimchi at Mace, New York, USA A cocktail bringing savoury ingredients and NYC's diverse global flavours behind the bar.

20. Cyn Tonic at Florería Atlantico, Buenos Aires, Argentina A gin and tonic ode to Argentina's Italian heritage.

21. Loos Coffee at Loos American Bar, Vienna, Austria A take on an Espresso Martini that is also a nod to Viennese café culture.  

22. Buenos Aires Zombie at Presidente Bar, Buenos Aires A tiki cocktail paying homage to Buenos Aires nightlife. 

23. Robbery at The Museum at Smoke & Mirrors, Singapore A modern take on the Singapore Sling in the city where it was invented.

24. Explosive at Le Syndicat, Paris, France A tribute to France's revolutionary roots.

25. Jungle Bird at Omakase + Appreciate, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The best place to enjoy this Malaysian classic.

26. Camp Nou at Dr Stravinsky, Barcelona, Spain Blending gin distilled on site with sherry and a herbal syrup.

27. Space Juice For Jered at Punch House, Chicago, USA A Margarita-like blend served in a punch bowl.

28. Bloody Sanluqeño at Angelita, Madrid, Spain An elevated version of hangover classic Bloody Mary.

29. Sgroppino at Swift, London, UK One of London's best bars revives the lemon sorbet cocktail.

30. Caipirinha Três Limões at Bar Veloso, São Paulo, Brazil The ultimate take on a Brazilian classic.

31. Boulevardier 29 at Cravan, Paris, France The finest take on the signature drink of 1920s Paris.

32. Negroni Sbagliato at Bar Basso, Milan, Italy The original Negroni Sbagliato, made with Prosecco not gin.

33. The Egg at Operation Dagger, Singapore A sweet dessert cocktail using the trending salted egg flavour.

34. Black Velvet at Arthur's Pub, Dublin, Ireland A blend of Guinness and champagne, best enjoyed at the source.

35. Boozy Apple at Peppi's Cellar, New York, USA An ode to New York's namesake fruit.

36. Irish Coffee at Buena Vista Café, San Francisco, USA A warming classic at the bar that invented it (and has served five million in 40 years).

Source: Time Out

 

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The best cocktails in the world (and where to drink them) are revealed by Time Out

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