Fruity, sweet cocktails are often labeled immature, artificial, and inferior to classic recipes and contemporary craft cocktails. -However, these drinks don't have to be inferior to other items on the bar menu. Some recipes are quite sophisticated and not immature at all.
The 17 Best Fruity Cocktails You Should Order at a Bar
So, instead of heading to the bar counter and vaguely ordering "something fruity", pick one of these favorite fruity drinks to order at a bar.
1. Strawberry Daiquiri
Ordering a Strawberry Daiquiri is a safe bet if you want a fruity twist on a classic cocktail. Typically made with rum, frozen strawberries, lime juice, and a bit of syrup, it is served blended.
Who should order it: Strawberry lover looking for a rather sweet yet refreshing drink.
2. Piña Colada
Another fantastic option is the Piña Colada. This tropical Rum cocktail is rich, creamy, sweet, and fruity. It is hardly surprising that this poolside sip is an all-time favorite of many.
The best recipe to make a tasty Piña Colada with plenty of natural fruity flavors is by using freshly squeezed pineapple juice, rich cream of coconut, and two types of rum.
Who should order it: People looking for a sweet, creamy, and juicy cocktail.
3. Cosmopolitan Cocktail
The Cosmopolitan is one of the most popular cocktails from the 90s. Usually served in a Martini glass, it is a simple and fruity mixed drink made from Vodka, cranberry juice, Cointreau, and freshly squeezed lime juice.
A proper Cosmo is a well-balanced sweet and sour drink with a fruity kick. To add a special touch, ask for a version based on Vodka Citron.
Who should order it: Especially popular with Millenials who have a soft spot for the combination of vodka & cranberry or SATC.
4. Alabama Slammer
Typically, an Alabama Slammer comes in a Collins glass garnished with a slice of orange and a cherry. The boozy concoction of Sloe Gin, Amaretto, Southern Comfort, and fresh Orange juice is an excellent sweet & fruity cocktail to order on your next night out.
Historically, the "Slammer" was served as a shot but evolved into a full-sized drink over time. It is thought that the shot recipe originated at the University of Alabama, hence the name.
Who should order it: People who prefer sweet cocktails and like orange juice in their drinks.
5. Aperol Spritz
An Aperol Spritz is a superb alternative if you're looking for a fruity but not overly sweet drink. The recipe contains bittersweet Aperol, Prosecco spumante, and chilled soda water.
The result is a fruity drink that's light and refreshing, with a nice balance of sweetness and bitterness. -A perfect drink to order on hot summer days.
Who should order it: People who want a mildly boozy, refreshing drink with a touch of fruit that's not overly sweet.
6. Porn Star Martini
It may not sound classy and elegant, but the Porn Star Martini is one of the best fruity drinks to order at a bar.
You'll get a vodka-based sour cocktail with fresh passion fruit juice and Passoa (passion fruit liqueur), served alongside a Prosecco shot. Often, this drink is garnished with half a fresh passion fruit which makes for a welcome fruity snack.
Who should order it: Lovers of sweet and sour fruity cocktails.
7. Hurricane Cocktail
If you're the rum type, how about ordering a Hurricane? This fruity cocktail not only features different types of rum but also a selection of fruity ingredients and comes in its signature glass.
Fresh juice from passion fruits, limes, pineapples, and oranges is mixed with white and dark rum. Some recipes call for overproof rum for extra complexity.
Who should order it: People with a preference for rum or Tiki Cocktails.
8. Mai Tai
Another Tiki Drink that's always a good choice is the Mai Tai. This tropical cocktail tastes like a holiday in a glass. The drink is based on rum, Curacao, lime juice, and orgeat syrup.
A proper Mai Tai is only shaken shortly with crushed ice and then dirt-dumped into a cocktail glass. Topped with dark rum and garnished with fresh mint, it is a sensational option when you crave a fruity, grown-up cocktail.
Who should order it: People who prefer fruity yet boozy drinks that aren't overly sweet.
9. Harvey Wallbanger
If you're looking for an orange-forward drink, the Harvey Wallbanger Cocktail is a great choice. This twist on a Screwdriver is made with vodka, Galliano, and fresh orange juice.
It's easy to make and tastes just like an orange creamsicle. It was super popular in the 1970s and today is still a frequent serving in bars.
Who should order it: People that look for an orange-flavored cocktail that's more complex than a Screwdriver.
10. Painkiller
If you love a good Piña Colada, the Painkiller cocktail might be an excellent, even fruitier option.
Topped with freshly grated nutmeg and garnished with a pineapple wedge, it's an excellent cocktail to order.
Who should order it: People who love Piña Coladas but want to order a fruitier and less sweet cocktail.
11. Clover Club
The classy Clover Club is among our go-to drinks when ordering a fruity cocktail at a bar. Gin, fresh lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white - that's all you need to make this elegant cocktail.
The perfect garnish for a Clover Club Cocktail is, of course, fresh raspberries. Not only do they look great, but they make for a healthy snack.
Who should order it: Everyone who prefers classic cocktails and is not freaked out by the idea of raw egg white in their drinks.
12. Singapore Sling
Gin lovers might fancy ordering a Singapore Sling. This cocktail packs a punch and also offers lots of fruity notes. The list of ingredients that go into the cocktail is long.
Gin, Heering cherry liqueur, DOM Benedictine, Cointreau, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine, and Angostura bitters make the flavor profile of a Singapore Sling fruit-forward but at the same time very complex.
It's also not the ideal drink to mix at home when you just recently started out on your home bartending career. If you don't have most of the ingredients in stock, it is way more economical to order this fruity cocktail at a bar.
Who should order it: Gin-lovers that prefer sweet and sour cocktails.
13. Sex In The Driveway
The Sex in the Driveway Cocktail is a twist on the better-known Sex on the Beach. The main difference is the use of Blue Curaçao liqueur.
Tastewise, it's a combination of orange flavors from Curaçao, peach notes from Peach Schnapps, and lemon and lime from flavored soda.
Who should order it: People looking for a bright, colorful drink with lots of sweet and sour notes.
14. Russian Spring Punch
The Russian Spring Punch is a creation from the 1980s invented by bartending legend Dick Bradsell. His boozy formula is even listed by the IBA in their New Era Drinks category, along with top cocktails like the Espresso Martini or New York Sour.
For making it, you need vodka, fresh lemon juice, Crème de Cassis, sugar syrup, and Champagne. If you don't want to spend a fortune on Champagne, you can opt for a more affordable sparkling wine.
Who should order it: People looking for a boozy drink and lovers of Champagne cocktails.
15. Midori Sour
A Midori Sour is an excellent fruity drink to order if you're a fan of melon. The base of this drink is the famous Japanese melon liqueur from Midori combined with vodka, fresh lemon juice, and lime juice.
Midori is a unique and quite interesting ingredient in cocktails. It's best combined with acidic ingredients to balance its rather sweet taste.
Who should order it: Fans of melon flavor in cocktails who prefer rather sweet drinks.
16. Watermelon Mojito
A Watermelon Mojito is a superb summer cocktail with lots of fruity flavors and freshness from fresh mint leaves.
A classic Mojito is another excellent drink to order. But while the standard version does not really count as a fruity drink, the twist using watermelon ticks this box.
Who should order it: Everyone who loves a fruity twist on a classic Mojito.
17. Fuzzy Naval
The Fuzzy Naval is a super easy-to-make, two-ingredient cocktail. Peach Schnapps and fresh orange juice are all you need to make it.
Despite the low complexity, it's a fun fruity drink to order at a bar. -At least if you like the combination of sweet peach flavors and acidic orange juice.
Who should order it: People with a preference for lighter drinks with simple yet established flavor combinations.
What to consider when ordering fruity mixed drinks
Cocktails differ widely in flavor, sweetness, and also proof. So ordering a fruity drink is not very precise. It only says that you like fruity notes in your cocktail. But a bartender needs to consider a lot more to get it right:
The level of fruitiness
Fruity flavors in drinks can be subtle but also quite strong, almost overpowering sometimes. Are you looking for a fruity drink that only has hints of fruit flavors, or do you prefer a very dominant fruit taste?
Drinks that only use one fruity component, like the Mai Tai, can be slightly fruity in a classic version but also super fruity in twists that add additional fresh fruit juices to the recipe. Make sure you state what level of fruity notes you prefer.
How sweet should it be?
Sweet and fruity often go along but not always. When ordering a fruity cocktail at a bar, tell the bartender if you like more on the sweet or sour side.
A Piña Colada is definitely on the sweeter (and creamier) side, while a Pornstar Martini is a lot more sour and refreshing.
The strength of the drink
Fruity drinks tend to be lower in alcohol than standard cocktails. That's not always the case but more often than not.
The reason is simple: when using fresh fruits and fruit juices in a fruity twist, the absolute amount of boozy ingredients often does not change. Hence, the ABV of these drinks tends to be lower.
If you want fruit flavors but do not want to miss out on alcohol, order a Russian Spring Punch or a classic Mai Tai.