We all have our familiar favourites when it comes to a drink or three at the end of the day, the beginning of the unwinding process after a hard day spent trying to look busy. Then there’s the drinks everyone mixes up when they pop over for the weekend festivities, your classic G&T’s or whiskey soda.

Far be it from us to tell you how to sip your favourite tipple but isn’t it time you looked at branching out just a bit, maybe treat your taste buds to something a little different? We had a look at some of the recipes concocted by the mixologists competing for the Diageo Reserve World Class Bartender of the Year and hand-picked a few you might like.

It’s worth noting that Cape Town has been named the 2015 cocktail capital of the world – I guess some people think they are best enjoyed whilst looking at the mountain and sea.

Of course we have gone through the arduous process of taste-testing them as well, someone had to, so let’s see what the world’s best bartenders are offering up.

Ketel One Dutch Mule

Add 50ml Ketel One Vodka, 15ml fresh lime juice and 3 dashes of Augusta bitters into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well, strain into an ice – filled Collins glass, top with ginger beer and stir.

Tanqueray Perfect Ten

Stir 50ml Tanqueray No. TEN gin and 10 ml Vermouth together with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass, garnish with a twist of grapefruit.

Don Julio Los Altos Margarita

Add 45ml Don Julio Blanco, 20ml lime juice and 20ml Cointreau in a shaker with ice, shake well, strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. top with soda water and garnish with a lime wheel.

Singleton Apple Juice and Soda

Now during our exhaustive taste tests we happened to have a bottle of Singleton nearby and tried this beaut out in place of the Johnny Walker the bartender recommended. We’re no experts but across the board Singleton got the vote so we’re sticking to our guns…

Pour 50ml Singleton Whiskey and 50ml clear apple juice into an ice-filled flute glass (or alternatively a highball glass), top with soda water and garnish with an apple slice.

The best part about all of the above is that they really aren’t incredibly tough to pull off, something that will come in handy as you work your way through the list.

Good work bartenders, we say cheers whilst swilling a delicious cocktail of your making.

You can click HERE for more brilliant recipes.