From spritz culture to sour revivals, we look at the cocktails trending across the UK right now – and how The Boat's own list stacks up beautifully. Summer is almost upon us, and if the ripples across the UK's bar scene are anything to go by, 2026 is shaping up to be a very fine year to be a cocktail drinker. From the continued reign of the Aperol Spritz to the triumphant comeback of the Cosmopolitan, the trends this season are a glorious mix of the familiar, the nostalgic, and the freshly invigorating.
Here at The Boat at Erbistock, we'd been a little bit behind the curve, thinking cocktails were more for city bars, not riverside inns. However, last October, we took the plunge, researching, testing, training and developing a modest but decent cocktail list. We have been really pleased with the uptake. The philosophy that has emerged is that: “The classics don't need reinventing – they just need doing properly”.
Aperol Spritz and Hugo Spritz: Aperol · Prosecco · Soda | St Germain Elderflower · Prosecco · Soda
Spritz culture shows no sign of retreating and with both the Aperol Spritz and the Hugo Spritz sitting in the top five of all our cocktails sold, ever, it's the defining drink of the summer aperitif hour. The Aperol is the classic: bittersweet, orange-hued, and reliably wonderful. But its floral Italian cousin, the Hugo Spritz, is rising fast. If you love sparkling elderflower, this will make your afternoon.
Margarita: El Jimador Reposado Tequila · Cointreau · Agave Syrup · Lime Juice
Tequila has shed its ‘night out’ reputation and bartenders everywhere are calling the Margarita the category leader of 2026. Ours uses El Jimador Reposado – properly barrel-rested – giving it a beautiful depth alongside that classic sweet, sour, and salty balance. Push back the metaphorical sombrero and savour.
Espresso Martini: Smirnoff Vodka · Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur · Double Espresso
After the most epic comeback in cocktail history, the Espresso Martini simply refuses to leave. Ours is dark, smooth and indulgent – a cold coffee with serious intent and a tight foamy top. The perfect full stop to a long lunch, or the ideal opening statement of an evening.
Cosmopolitan: Smirnoff Vodka · Cointreau · Cranberry Juice · Lime Juice
Everything ‘90s is new again, and the vibrant pink Cosmo is leading the charge. Ours is tangy, sweet, tart, and dangerously moreish.
Negroni: Spirit of Erbistock Gin · Campari · Cocchi Vermouth di Torino
Bitter, complex flavour profiles are a major 2026 trend – and nothing delivers that better than a Negroni. Ours is made with our very own Spirit of Erbistock Gin, giving this Italian classic a genuinely local heart. Bitter, herbal, and sweet in perfect balance.
One of the most significant shifts in UK drinking culture right now is the surge in demand for quality non-alcoholic options. Industry research suggests that one in three pub visits now involves at least one non-alcoholic choice – and today's non-drinkers and designated drivers rightly expect something far more considered than a lemonade and a sympathetic smile.
The no-and-low category has never been better, and at The Boat by far the most popular options are our Seedlip 0% ABV gins in the following order of popularity:
1st place – Spice (aromatic)
2nd place – Garden (herbal)
3rd place – Grove (citrus).
After the gins, the Virgin Mary is popular. It follows the same steps as our Bloody Mary recipe sans the alcohol. And, we also do the odd Grenadine Sunrise. Of course, there is also a range of low and no alcohol beers: Guinness 0.0%, San Miguel 0.0%, Warsteiner – Alcohol Free.
The beauty of a great cocktail list isn't just what's in the glass – it’s where you're drinking it. Whether you're here for an Aperol on the terrace, an Espresso Martini after Sunday lunch, or simply a cold elderflower tonic and the sound of the Dee, we'd love to see you. The cocktail menu is waiting. So is the river.
Find out more at www.theboataterbistock.co.uk