Iconic Casino Drinks and how to make them at Home

Updated: May 6, 2025 by Michael Kahn. Published: May 6, 2025.

For many people casinos bring to mind the world of James Bond, tuxedo’s, evening gowns, and of course, cocktails. All of which makes it a great theme for a party, especially when it comes to drinks!

Today, many gamers use the convenience of their smartphones to access their favourite games and benefit from online casino deposit bonuses, as well as a huge choice of games. But there’s no reason you can’t mix yourself a nice cocktail or two even if you’re just relaxing in your home.

So, whether you’re looking for some cocktail ideas for a casino themed party or enjoying some down time at home, here’s our guide to the most iconic casino cocktails:

Vesper Martini

There is no better place to start then the drink of choice for James Bond himself. Invented by the author Ian Fleming for 007, the drink first appeared in Fleming’s book “Casino Royale”, published in 1953. It was named after the fictional double agent Vesper Lynd.

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces gin
• ½ ounce Lillet Blanc aperitif
• 1 ounce vodka
• Lemon twist to garnish

Steps:

1. Add the vodka, gin and Lillet Blanc into an ice filled cocktail shaker
2. Shake well for 30 seconds, until the drink is ice cold
3. Strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass
4. Rub lemon twist round the rim of the glass and then drop it into the cocktail.

The Old Cuban

Invented in 2004 by Audrey Saunders, this cocktail may not have the history of others, but it remains an elegant, evocative experience. The taste is similar to a minty Daiquiri with a splash of fizz, and it’s incredibly simple to make.

Ingredients:

• Aged rum
• Fresh lime juice
• ½ oz of syrup
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Champagne
• Mint leaves
• Mint sprig for garnish

Steps:

1. Use a shaker to gently crush mint leaves and mix with the lime juice and syrup
2. Add the rum, bitters, and ice
3. Shake vigorously
4. Pour into a champagne glass
5. Garnish with a mint sprig

Rhett Buttler

This simple, well-balanced, classic cocktail blends fruity flavours with a slightly spiced sweetness and captures a memorable taste of Southern hospitality. Not too sweet and not too strong, it’s a perfect choice for any party.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz of Southern Comfort or another Southern whisky liqueur
• ½ oz of apricot brandy
• Simple syrup
• Freshly squeezed lime juice
• Lime wedge or twist for garnish

Steps:

1. Combine the Southern Comfort, apricot brandy, lime juice, and simple syrup into an ice filled shaker
2. Shake vigorously until chilled
3. Strain into a pre-prepared chilled cocktail glass
4. Garnish with a lime wedge

Negroni

Legend has it that this drink was invented at Caffe Casoni in Florence, Italy in 1919, when Count Camillo Negroni asked the bartender Forsco Scarselli, to strengthen his favourite cocktail (Americano) by adding gin instead of soda water.

This classic Italian cocktail is made of equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. The bold, citrusy flavour is perfect choice for slow sippers looking for a high alcohol content drink.

Ingredients:

• 25ml Campari
• 25ml sweet vermouth
• 25ml gin
• Ice
• Slice of orange to garnish

Steps:

1. Pour the gin, vermouth and Campari into an ice filled mixing glass
2. Stir well until the outside of the glass becomes cold
3. Strain into a tumbler
4. Add some fresh ice
5. Garnish with a slice of orange

See also: Midnight Manhattan.

Old Fashioned

Arguably the most well-known whiskey cocktail in the world., the Old Fashioned dates back to the early 1800s, although it was not known by that name. It was originally called the Whiskey Cocktail when people would add a few dashes of bitters to their drink.

Further developed during the 19th century, it was eventually given its name in the 1880s, and is now an Internation Bartenders Association (IBA) official cocktail. The drink is very simple to make and is a great choice for people who enjoy rich, smoky flavours, or whisky lovers in general.

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey (if preferred)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 teaspoon water
• Orange twist to garnish

Steps:

1. Add the sugar and bitters into a mixing glass
2. Add the water and stir until the sugar is nearly dissolved
3. Add the bourbon into a mixing glass filled with ice
4. Stir until chilled
5. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube
6. Express the oil of an orange twist over the drink and drop into the glass to garnish

You might also be interested in this interesting take, a Banana Old Fashioned.

Of course, casino cocktails don’t have to be alcoholic, and there are lots of delicious cocktail choices out there to suit everybody. But whatever your preference, there’s no denying that a delicious casino cocktail is guaranteed to get the party started!