I asked bartenders to pick a cocktail for every World Cup team — here's what they chose

With the World Cup in full swing, I’ve been feeling more inspired than ever to travel to bars across the world for a taste of the international soccer atmosphere. Unfortunately, my wallet doesn’t allow for a global trip to every sports bar — luckily I can bring the drinks from the bars into my home.

I asked bartenders and alcohol experts from around the world how to make popular international drinks from the comfort of my own home bar. Below are just a few easy recipes which incorporate international spirits, representing just a few of the nations competing in the World Cup.

International cocktail recipes inspired by the 2026 World Cup

La Fuerza Spritz

Argentina

Messi might be the name on every Argentine’s lips right now, but bartenders say the second thing on their lips is a refreshing La Fuerza Sprtiz.

“The vermouth and spritz culture in Argentina came from the influence of Italy… Vermouth has always been a staple beverage of Argentine culture (often enjoyed in the afternoon over ice with friends) but went ‘out of vogue’ in the '90s/2000s due to the rise of beer and spirits consumption,” with Elizabeth Sidles, director at Pourtal, told 10BEST.

La Fuerza Spritz

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. La Fuerza Blanco
• 1 oz. Sparkling Wine
• 1 oz. Aperol
• 1 oz. Soda

Recipe:

1. Fill a large wine glass with ice. Add La Fuerza Blanco, Aperol, sparkling wine, and soda water. Stir with a spoon & garnish with an orange slice.

Tips from La Fuerza founders/bartenders:

• Always have plenty of seltzer water stocked in your bar to make your spritzes! And plenty of ice.
• It is fun to first try the vermouth on its own over ice, and then decide how much seltzer you want in your spritz — some people like 50/50, but in Argentina, we do 70/30 vermouth to seltzer. This is the beauty of the spritz; you can make it as strong or light as you'd like.
• Don't forget your citrus — a slice of orange, lemon, or grapefruit is essential to bring out the full flavors of the vermouth and give the drink a refreshing citrus aroma and taste.
• It is also fun to play with the earthy/herbal elements of the vermouth, and garnish your spritz with a sprig of thyme, rosemary or mint

The Bluefields’ “Sun-Drenched Shandy”

Jamaica

Okay, Jamaica may not have qualified for the World Cup, but this drink seemed too good to resist. Dwayne Johnson, Butler at Bluefields Bay Villas & Suites, called this drink “Jamaica in a glass.”

“The crisp, unmistakable taste of the Red Stripe beer blends perfectly with the festive bloom of Jamaican sorrel and the kick of local ginger to capture both the laid-back chill and spirited energy of the island,” Brown said.

The Bluefields "Sun-Drenched Shandy"

Ingredients:

• 6 oz Red Stripe Lager (Chilled)
• 4 oz Jamaican Hibiscus/Sorrel Juice (Bottled)
• 2 oz Spicy Ginger Beer
• Garnish: A thick lime wedge and a pinch of sea salt on the rim (optional, to cut the sweetness).

Instructions:

1. The Base: Fill a chilled pint glass or a heavy "stubby" glass halfway with ice (optional, though they love it ice-cold in Jamaica).
2. The Mix: Pour the Red Stripe first to manage the foam.
3. The Bloom: Top with the sorrel juice and ginger beer. The deep red juice hitting the golden lager creates a beautiful "tequila sunrise" gradient effect.
4. The Squeeze: Give the lime a healthy squeeze and drop it in.

If you’re looking for the perfect dish to pair with the sun-drenched shandy, Brown recommends classic jerk chicken. “The heat of the chicken is cooled by the fruity sweetness of the Jamaican sorrel and the allspice notes that are signature to jerk seasoning balance beautifully with the refreshing spice of the ginger beer,” Brown said.

Brown’s At- Home Bartending Tips and Tricks:

• Chill the glass, not just the drink: An authentic Jamaican shandy is all about fighting the summer heat. Give your pint glass or beer mug a 10-minute head start in the freezer. A frosty glass keeps the lager crisp and locks in the carbonation.
• Go big on the ice: Skip the crushed ice. Use large, solid cubes. They keep the shandy ice-cold from the first sip to the last without watering down the vibrant spice of the ginger and tartness of the sorrel.
• The 'Sunset' pour: Pour your Red Stripe first, then top it with the sorrel juice and ginger beer. Don't stir it too heavily — let them bleed into each other naturally. It creates a pretty red-to-gold tropical gradient that brings the island sunset right to your backyard.

Strike a Pose

Japan

"Strike A Pose is a gin gimlet inspired by the Japanese condiment shichimi togarashi. A common finishing spice mix in Japan, shichimi, which means seven flavors, is a blend of chili, sesame, ginger, nori, and citrus," Evan Flynn, Bar Manager Death & Co, said.

"Strike A Pose uses all Japanese spirits — Nikka Gin, shochus distilled with ginger and sesame, and yuzu sake — to create something refreshing and bright, but layered with nutty, savory depth. Visually, the cocktail is a vibrant orange hue with with lemon wheel decorated to emulate Japan’s signature ‘Rising Sun.'"

Strike a Pose

Ingredients:

• 0.75 oz Nikka Coffey Gin
• 0.75 oz Heiwa Yuzu Sake
• 0.5 oz Beniotome Sesame Shochu
• 0.25 oz Rihei Ginger Shochu
• 0.75 oz Orange Juice
• 0.25 oz Sugar Cane Syrup
• 1 tsp Imp Citric Acid
• 2 dash Bitter End Togarashi Bitters

Instructions:

1. Shake / strain.
2. Pour into a Coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a Sichimi Dusted Lemon Wheel.

The Extra Kick

Mexico

Mexico is one of the host countries of the World Cup this year, so its only fitting to drink a cocktail that represents the country. Of course, you can opt for a classic margarita, but why not switch things up with this drink inspired by the Mexican National Team?

“The name [is] a double take on the extra kick play in soccer, and also the spicy kick coming from the jalapeño in the cordial. The drink is served up, the raspberry dust and mint leaf show the red and green colours in the Mexican flag. Fruity, fresh, and a little spicy like much of Mexican cuisine,” Jesse Vida, Bartender/Beverage Expert and Global Brand Ambassador at Mr. Black, said.

Extra Kick

Ingredients:

• 3 drops vegan foamer
• .75 oz Mr Black Coffee Liqueur
• .75 oz Blanco Tequila
• .5 oz Lemon Juice
• .25 oz Jalapeno & Raspberry cordial

Instructions:

1. Shake the ingredients together.
2. Pour in a coupe.
3. Garnish with freeze dried raspberry dust & mint leaf.

Stars and Stripes Lemonade

USA

Drinking around the world is fun, but sometimes you just want something that reminds you of home. The Stars and Stripes lemonade is just that, according to Proximo Spirit’s head of advocacy, Matt Klette.

“The Stars & Stripes Lemonade works because it’s simple, bold, and built for the occasion. The cranberry, lemonade, and blueberries bring the red, white and blue to life in the glass, but the real point of the drink is what’s behind it,” Klette said. “It’s a cocktail made for moments when Americans come together, and perfect for raising a glass to a celebratory moment like this.”

Pendleton Whisky Stars & Stripes Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Pendleton Whisky Military Edition
• 3 oz Lemonade
• 5 Blueberries
• 0.5 oz Cranberry Juice
• 4 Blueberries to garnish

Recipe:

1. In a Collins glass add cranberry juice, then fill the glass half way with crushed ice.
2. Add Pendleton Whisky Military Edition, lemonade, and blueberries to a cocktail shaker with 1-2 ice cubes.
3. Shake briefly and strain the contents of your shaker into the Collins glass with cranberry juice and crushed ice.
4. Top with more crushed ice and blueberries as garnish.

If you’re looking for the perfect dish to pair the drink with, Klette recommends turning on the BBQ and firing up some chicken.

“The Stars & Stripes Lemonade pairs well with BBQ because it has enough brightness to stand up to smoke, char, and richer flavors. The lemonade brings citrus and acidity, and the Pendleton Whisky brings notes of vanilla, honey, and subtle spice,” Klette said.

“I’d pair it with grilled chicken with a honey glaze, pork tenderloin with a fruit-forward barbecue sauce, or even grilled sausages with a little heat. It’s an easy fit for summer cookouts, backyard barbecues, and game-day watch parties.”

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Caipirinha

Brazil

After living in Brazil for three years just after the country’s fourth World Cup championship in 1994, Molly Horn, chief mixologist and spirits educator at Total Wine & More, is no stranger to the flavors of the country.

“The celebrations that day are one of my core memories from our time there, and like so many of my other recollections from those years they were marked by one drink: the humble caipirinha,” Horn said.

“A super simple combination of lime, sugar, and cachaca, this balanced and refreshing cocktail is served everywhere from beach huts to fine dining restaurants and is a perfect representation of the country — accessible, affordable, simple ingredients that come together to make the perfect thirst-quencher. It helps that Brazil is the world’s largest producer of sugarcane and one of the world’s largest of limes, and that you can find cachaca everywhere from gas stations to grocery stores.”

Caipirinha

Ingredients:

• 2 part(s) Cachaça
• 1 part(s) Demerara sugar or syrup
• 1 lime, quartered, or 1 part lime juice
• Lime wheel, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Place lime quarters if using in a cocktail shaker, add sugar, and firmly muddle, being sure to press all the juice out of the lime and dissolve the sugar. Alternatively, add lime juice to shaker. Add Cachaça, add ice, and shake hard.
2. Dump contents of shaker, including lime quarters and shaken ice, into a double Old Fashioned glass.
3. Garnish with a lime wheel (optional).

Horn recommends pairing this drink with a steak or classic fried Brazilian snack. “The acidity in a Caipirinha makes it a great counterpoint to a prime cut of steak,” Horn said.

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Tinto de Verano

Spain

For those looking for a taste of Spain, Horn recommends a Tinto de Verano.

“This easy-drinking highball is perfect for pairing with sunny days and salty snacks – a couple things Spain specializes in – and is extremely easy to throw together, making it a great representation of a country that embraces the art of elevating simple ingredients,” she said.

Tinto de Verano

Ingredients:

• 2 part(s) Fruity Spanish Red Wine such as Garnacha
• 2 part(s) lemon-lime soda
• Lemon wedge for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add ingredients to a highball glass, add ice, and stir gently to combine.
2. Garnish with a lemon wedge.

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Garden Party Pimm’s Cup

England

After living in London for two years, I’ve grown a strong affinity for an ice cold Pimm’s the second it gets above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. There were so many beautiful summer days spent in the pub drinking a Pimm’s that I would pay to relive. Rudy Anuntez, the director of bars and restaurants at The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, agrees and is trying to bring a touch of English culture to Arizona.

"The Garden Party Pimm’s Cup is an English-inspired libation that pays homage to the classic tea sandwich. Fresh cucumber and a hint of mint create a crisp, refreshing foundation, while vibrant garden fruits such as strawberry and lemon brighten the palate with lively, fruit-forward notes," Christopher Ortega, Director of Restaurants and Bars at The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, said.

"Finished with dry rosé and sparkling soda, the cocktail offers beautiful body, refined structure, and a delicate effervescence, culminating in a light, elegant finish."

Garden Party Pimm’s Cup

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Pimm’s No. 1
• 1 oz dry rosé
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• ½ oz strawberry syrup or muddled strawberries
• 2 cucumber slices
• 4 mint leaves
• Sparkling soda

Instructions:

1. Mix the ingredients together.
2. Top with sparkling soda.

Ortega recommends pairing the Garden Party Pimm's Cup alongside traditional English tea sandwiches. "The cocktail pairs beautifully with a variety of delicate tea sandwich flavors, allowing each bite to complement the drink’s bright, refreshing character. It’s a delightful combination that captures the essence of summer with every sip," Ortega said.

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