The fruity

01What it is

In fruity cocktails, fruit leads the way: fresh juices, purées and fruit liqueurs. They are usually sweeter and softer than a sour, and very easy to like.

They're a friendly first step if you don't usually drink cocktails, and a fun break if you do.

02A short history

Fruity drinks come from many eras. The Mary Pickford, with rum and pineapple, was created in 1920s Havana and named after the silent film star. The Monkey Gland and the Paradise come from the same era.

The 1980s brought the Sex on the Beach and the Sea Breeze, and in 2002 London bartender Douglas Ankrah created the Porn Star Martini, which became one of Britain's best-known cocktails.

03A good starting point

Fruit is already sweet, so a little citrus is what stops a fruity drink from tasting like juice.

04Why it tastes this way

05The family tree

Same family, small changes. Each of these is one swap away from the next.

Porn Star MartiniVanilla vodka and passion fruit, with a shot of champagne on the side.French MartiniVodka, raspberry liqueur and pineapple.Mary PickfordRum, pineapple, maraschino and grenadine.Tequila SunriseTequila and orange juice, with grenadine sinking to the bottom.Singapore SlingGin, cherry liqueur, Bénédictine and pineapple.Sex on the BeachVodka, peach schnapps, orange and cranberry.Sea BreezeVodka with cranberry and grapefruit.Monkey GlandGin and orange with absinthe and grenadine.ParadiseGin, apricot brandy and orange.Angel FaceGin, apricot brandy and calvados.Sherry CobblerSherry and fruit over crushed ice.

06Spot it on a menu

Look for these words. Tap one to see what it means.

When fruit names lead the description, expect a sweeter, softer drink.

07How to order it

1. If you find them too sweet, ask for "a little more lime".
2. Ask if the juice is fresh. It makes a huge difference here.
3. A good choice for a group, since almost everyone likes at least one.

08Mistakes to avoid

09Start with these three

Porn Star MartiniVanilla vodka shaken with passion fruit purée and liqueur, Champagne served in a shot on the side. Alternate sips; that is the point.Tequila SunriseTequila and orange juice, grenadine poured last so it sinks and fades upward. Sweet, fruity, and mostly about the look.Singapore SlingGin with cherry liqueur, Bénédictine, pineapple, lime, grenadine and bitters. Long and fruity, and far more complex than its colour suggests.

10All 11 fruity classics

French MartiniVodka · 15.6%Porn Star MartiniVodka · 15%Sex on the BeachVodka · 10.7%Singapore SlingGin · 40%Tequila SunriseTequila · 12.3%Angel FaceGin · 24.5%Mary PickfordRum · 15%Monkey GlandGin · 21.1%ParadiseGin · 19.1%Sea BreezeVodka · 9.5%Sherry CobblerSherry · 11.9%

11Browse them in the library

See every fruity classic as photo cards, next to the other lists in the cocktail library.

Open the Fruit first list →Every classic, A to Z →

12If you like this family