Difford's Guide - the home of discerning drinkers

Cocktail of the Day<br>24th of January 2026 image

Cocktail of the Day
24th of January 2026

Today is Beer Can Appreciation Day, so we are drinking a Reality Check.

Bobby Burns (Difford's own)

This recipe combines elements from the world's most respected writers of vintage recipes – the base formula comes from Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy

Bobby Burns (Craddock's recipe)

Rich and slightly sweet, laced with spice liqueur - an excellent dram to enjoy alongside the ritualistic serving of haggis.

Bobby Burns (Crockett's recipe)

Scotch and vermouth with added depth of flavour courtesy of absinthe and orange bitters.

Bobby Burns (Embury's recipe)

As Embury says, there's some sense in using a Scotch-based liqueur, and although this version of the Bobby Burns is rarely seen, it's worthy of a trial.

Bobby Burns (Fleury's recipe)

A herbal-spice liqueur and maraschino-enhanced Scotch Manhattan, freshened with a splash of orange juice.

Bobby Burns cocktail history

Although perhaps not originally named after Robert Burns (1759-1796), the poet, balladeer and Scotland's favourite son, this cocktail is drunk to honour

Rob Roy

Scotch whisky's answer to the Manhattan. The Rob Roy is classically made with Angostura Bitters, but in his 1948 The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, as a footnote

Rob Roy No. 3

Orange curaçao and Creole-style bitters add distinction to a Scotch whisky-based Perfect Manhattan.

Contemporary Classic Cocktails

Cocktails created after 1985 that have proved enduring and appear on bar menus or in publications beyond their city or country of origin are worth making

World’s Top 100 Cocktails

The most popular cocktails based on page views on Difford's Guide from 1st January to the 31st December 2025.

Lux-Capacitor

Tequila-laced and sherry-influenced with complex herbal, alpine bittersweetness.

Swiss Kiss

A gin-laced sour made delicious thanks to génépy alpine flavours.

Cuban Paloma

A rum-based citrusy fresh Paloma.

Winter Waltz

Spirit-forward with baking spice bittersweetness. As the name suggests, a great winter nightcap.

Golden Toddy

Warming bittersweet honey with lightly spicy vanilla.

Bloom

An apple brandy, elderflower and honey sour enlivened a lengthened with prosecco.

Hawaiian (by Thad Vogler)

Apple brandy forms the backbone to this tropical fruity delight, made special by a hint of herbal complexity. The above recipe uses a 2:1 pineapple syrup,

Amaretto Sour Mocktail

The alcohol-free amaretto contains plenty of protein, so you only need the merest splash of egg white to ensure a thick, foamy head on this tasty sour.

Soyer Au Champagne

Ice cream is integrated, rather than dominating this classic dessert-style cocktail. It's a treat, but it's not that sweet.

Slynx

This late-night, dry Old Fashioned-style cocktail unusually mixes tequila and applejack to great effect, with pleasing pear fruitiness and a wisp of mezcal.