With World Cocktail Day (May 13) coming up, let’s look at a few properties around the globe that are rethinking the cocktail experience beyond the traditional bar setting. From private, in-suite bartending to tastings rooted in local culture, these hotels are turning cocktails into something more immersive.
Below are a mix of international and U.S.-based properties, each offering their own spin on elevated drinking—think Caribbean sunset sessions, history-rich rum tastings, race-inspired cocktails and even midweek martini rituals. It’s a fun look at how hotels are blending creativity, storytelling and a strong sense of place to make cocktail culture feel more personal and experiential.
International:
Pan Pacific London | London, England
The Ketel One Bloody Ritual is a tableside Bloody Mary experience served during Sunday brunch, where a dedicated trolley allows guests to customize their drink with curated spice blends, bold garnishes and Ketel One vodka. The trolley offers three distinct variations—the timeless Classic Ritual, the robust Butcher’s Mary with bacon fat-washed vodka, or the herb-infused Garden Mary—each reflecting rich, savory roast-inspired flavors and accompanied by garnishes like horseradish cream and mini Yorkshire puddings. Designed by Straits Kitchen Supervisor Siddhesh Pawar, the experience blends nostalgia with modern experiential dining, giving guests control over flavor and presentation while elevating brunch into a more immersive occasion, complemented by a menu of hot dishes such as Steak and Eggs, Duck and Potato Hash, Fried Chicken and Waffles or a Full English.
Royalton CHIC Antigua | Antigua
At Royalton CHIC Antigua, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort – Adults Only, , the overwater suites offer a striking new perspective on Caribbean luxury—sleek, modern sanctuaries suspended above the turquoise waters of Dickinson Bay, where private terraces, direct ocean access, and uninterrupted horizon views create a tranquil environment. During sunset, the experience shifts into one of the resort’s most memorable rituals: a sunset mixology session with a guest’s drink of choice or a cocktail from our exclusive collection of Invivo X, SJP cocktails created just for Royalton CHIC Antigua. Invivo X, SJP is the globally celebrated wine label founded by Invivo Wines and Sarah Jessica Parker award-winning actor, producer and businesswoman.
Guests may select one of the playful, wine-based creations crafted with the award-winning Sauvignon Blanc with fresh tropical ingredients, vibrant flavors, and artful presentations that capture the spirit of the island like “Hello, Summer,” a bright and juicy blend of fresh watermelon, lime, vodka, and Sauvignon Blanc, and “Golden Hour,” a playful mix of frozen mango, grenadine, Blue Curaçao, and a pineapple crown garnish. Guests can also enjoy unique takes on sangria and mojitos, such as “When in Antigua,” infused with brandy and orange juice, and “Mint Condition,” featuring fresh mint, white rum, and Sauvignon Blanc. Other creations include, “Escape from New York,” finished with elderflower liquor and lemon, and “Spritz & Tell,” a crisp, Sauvignon Blanc-forward spritz. Drinks may be enjoyed on the private terrace of the overwater suite. From bright, fruit-forward blends to elevated twists on classics, each cocktail reflects the lively, stylish energy that defines the Royalton CHIC experience, turning every sunset into a personal mixology session and celebration.
Soho Beach House Canouan | Canouan Island, St Vincent and the Grenadines
Soho House is known for its exceptional custom cocktails, from the ever-popular Picante to the Eastern Standard. At Soho Beach House Canouan, these elevated drinks are reimagined with a Caribbean twist, featuring creations like the Canouan Colada. Guests can also take part in a “Pirates of the Caribbean”-inspired rum punch mixology class led by a master mixologist. Using locally sourced ingredients and house-made syrups, the mixologist guides you through the process of crafting bespoke cocktails tailored to your personal preferences.
The Leela Palace Bengaluru | Bengaluru, India
The Theatre at ZLB23 – tucked within the quiet opulence of The Leela Palace Bengaluru, behind ZLB23’s whispered pathways, lies The Theatre, a new speakeasy where the ordinary rules of mixology disappear. At The Theatre at ZLB23, cocktails are not made – they are staged. The promise of The Theatre at ZLB23 is an experience that elevates the cocktail from something you drink to something you remember. This new space increases intimacy and focus, allowing guests to feel every gesture, sound, and pour with intention. This is where the bartender becomes a storyteller, the cocktail becomes a character, the guest becomes part of the scene, and the performing art of mixology is witnessed.
The Shelbourne | Dublin, Ireland
In a city that takes its drinking culture very seriously, The Shelbourne stands out as a hub for imbibing. Located just across from the picturesque St. Stephen’s Green, guests staying in hotel suites can take advantage of perfectly curated In-Suite Handcrafted Cocktails, including classics like the Whiskey Sour, Old Fashioned, Cosmo, Aviation, Raspberry Negroni, and Tommy Margarita. Those looking to step outside their luxe accommodations can try their hand at a sommelier-guided Sabrage Ritual with a bottle from The Shelbourne’s extensive Champagne list, or sneak off to the guests-only 1824 Bar, tucked away atop the main staircase with a vibe that feels like a private study adorned with murals painted by artist Paul Slater. The Shelbourne’s buzzy No. 27 Bar & Lounge is also leaning into the crisp flavors of summer with a new cocktail menu, with inventive sips like The Celtic Pear – a refined, silky serve combining orchard fruit and floral notes, with a smooth pear and apple backbone; Gin Appeal – a fresh, herbaceous long drink with crisp apple, bright citrus and aromatic basil lifted by elderflower; Agave Sunset – a layered, tropical tequila cocktail with citrus brightness, soft spice and a delicate floral finish; Blas Rua – a complex, aromatic gin cocktail with spice-driven depth, bright citrus oils and refreshing grapefruit soda, and more.
Rum Tastings at Tucker’s Bar, Rosewood Bermuda l Bermuda
A refined coastal retreat shaped by the island’s natural beauty and timeless charm, Rosewood Bermuda invites rum lovers to celebrate World Cocktail Day with an immersion into Bermuda’s rich cocktail culture. Each Wednesday, guests can partake in a rum tasting experience at Tucker’s Bar, sipping through centuries of seafaring tradition and exploring the island’s two most famous cocktails, the “Dark and Stormy” and the “Rum Swizzle.” Discover the history of rum while sampling fine blends from Bermuda and beyond, including a bespoke blend crafted with Goslings Rum, available only at the resort.
Evermore Orlando Resort | Orlando, Florida
At Evermore Orlando Resort, cocktail culture is elevated into a fully immersive luxury experience that reflects the property’s innovative approach to group travel. Set against the resort’s crystal-clear lagoon, Evermore Bay, and expansive white-sand beaches, guests can choose from in-residence mixology through the Evermore to Your Door Private Bartender Experience—bringing a skilled bartender directly to their vacation home at the Evermore Residences—to interactive Monday Mixology sessions designed to educate and entertain. At Ceiba, the contemporary Mexican rooftop restaurant and bar at the on-site Conrad Orlando at Evermore, the experience grows more dynamic still, with curated bar takeovers and masterclasses led by globally recognized talent, offering rare access to cutting-edge techniques and fresh perspectives in cocktail craftsmanship—all with front-row views of the Disney fireworks lighting up the Orlando skyline.
Triple Crown Cocktail Trio | The Langham, Chicago, The Langham, Boston and The Langham, Pasadena
In tribute to the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, The Langham Hotels and Resorts (The Langham) will offer three new cocktails across three of its hotel bars in the U.S. from 2 May to 6 June. Developed in partnership with Michter’s Whiskies, the drinks will be served at Travelle Bar at The Langham Chicago; The Fed at The Langham, Boston; and The Tap Room at The Langham, Pasadena. Each inspired by one of the Triple Crown’s horse races, the cocktails include Mint Julep, the iconic Kentucky Derby drink; Baltimore Bang, which takes its cue from the Preakness Stakes; and the Manhattan, which marks the final and most demanding leg of the series, the Belmont Stakes. Prices are set at $23 per drink. Beyond the cocktails, each bar will bring its own personality to race days, with elegant bites and spirited gatherings designed to capture the excitement of the track. Offerings will include special Triple Crown food menus, live entertainment and screenings of the races.
Tues-Tini’s at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | San Diego, California
Named after iconic jazz crooner Bing Crosby due to his frequent visits, Bing’s Bar at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe is an English pub-style clubhouse that blends golden-age Hollywood charm with modern cocktail culture. A beloved favorite for locals, the bar has introduced its weekly “Tues-Tinis,” offering handcrafted $6 martinis with the purchase of an appetizer. Whether catching up with friends, unwinding after work or trying out a new martini as part of a weekly ritual, Tues-Tini’s offers an easy midweek reason to stop in. Because some weeks deserve a little extra shake, not stir.
Montage Laguna Beach | Laguna Beach, California
Perched along the Southern California coastline, Studio Mediterranean at Montage Laguna Beach is channeling the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean with its Mediterranean Island Martini Collection, a passport in a glass for those who’d rather be island-hopping. Each of the four handcrafted martinis is inspired by a distinct Mediterranean archipelago, from the Cyclades (Kastra Elion vodka, Cocchi Americano, and an EVOO wash that’s equal parts umami and silky) to the Dalmatian coast (a crisp, dry riff with kirsch eau de vie and seasonal pickled fruit). Every cocktail arrives with a thoughtful regional accompaniment from Kalamata olives and Jamón Ibérico, to Calabrian-candied lemon peel, making each sip feel less like a cocktail order and more like a table at a cliffside taverna. For guests looking to escape without leaving Laguna, consider it the next best thing to a one-way ticket to the Greek islands.
