Kim
3/6/2024 9:21:05 AM
5 mins read
Whether you enjoy the sparkle of Speak Now, the synth-pop beats of 1989, or the poetic storytelling of Folklore, we all have a favourite Taylor Swift era. Now, fans can savour the essence of these albums with a sip of specially crafted cocktails that pay homage to Taylor’s ever-changing image as an artist. In a unique fusion of music and spirits, the bespoke alcohol gifts specialists from Bottled & Boxed share 10 cocktail recipes inspired by each Taylor Swift era.
Debut: Southern Serenade
Taylor’s self-titled debut album oozes country charm so it’s only right we kick things off with a whiskey-based cocktail, combined with maple syrup and fresh rosemary for some bright sweetness. We recommend using bourbon or Tennessee whiskey for this Southern serenade to give it that classic American flair.
Ingredients (makes one serving):
60ml whiskey (bourbon or Tennessee whiskey)
30ml maple syrup
15ml lemon juice
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
A sprig of fresh rosemary (for garnish and aroma)
Ice cubes
Method:
In a cocktail shaker, combine the whiskey, maple syrup, lemon juice, and bitters.
Add ice cubes to the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15–20 seconds to chill the mixture.
Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Fearless: Golden Fairytale
With sweet notes of peach, honey, and vanilla, the golden fairytale perfectly captures the dreamy themes of the Fearless era. Add a sprinkle of edible gold flakes or shimmer for some extra magic and sparkle or create a real love story with a rose petal garnish.
Ingredients (makes one serving):
50ml vanilla vodka
25ml peach schnapps
25ml pineapple juice
15ml lemon juice
2 tsp honey
Edible gold flakes or shimmer
Dried rose petals (optional)
Ice cubes
Method:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Add the vanilla vodka, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and honey syrup to the shaker.
Shake the ingredients vigorously for about 15–20 seconds to chill the mixture.
Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a sprinkle of edible gold flakes or shimmer and the dried rose petals.
Speak Now: Enchanted elixir
Much like Taylor’s third album, this enchanted elixir is sweet, sparkly, and full of magic and whimsy. The combination of blue curaçao and cranberry gives this cocktail a distinctive purple hue while the addition of elderflower adds a floral sweetness.
Ingredients (makes one serving):
45ml vodka
15ml elderflower liqueur
15ml blue curaçao
15ml lemon juice
30ml cranberry juice
Edible glitter or shimmer dust
Ice cubes
Method:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Add the vodka, elderflower liqueur, blue curaçao, lemon juice, and cranberry juice.
Shake the ingredients vigorously for about 15–20 seconds to chill the mixture.
Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with fresh ice.
Let sparks fly with a pinch of edible glitter or shimmer dust.
Red: Scarlet Symphony
Red may just be the perfect autumn album, which means we’re embracing all the cosy flavours of red wine, whiskey, and maple syrup in this scarlet symphony cocktail. Choose a fruity variety like a merlot, pinot noir, or a malbec for lightness and finish off with a handful of fresh berries. Bold, complex, and warming, this concoction captures the essence of Red all too well.
Ingredients (makes one serving):
60ml bourbon
30ml red wine
15ml maple syrup
15ml lemon juice
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
Fresh berries (for garnish)
Ice cubes
Method:
In a cocktail shaker, combine the bourbon, red wine, maple syrup, lemon juice, and Angostura bitters.
Add ice cubes to the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15–20 seconds to chill the mixture.
Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with fresh berries for a pop of colour and additional fruity flavour.
1989: New York 89
Inspired by a classic French 75, this New York 89 is sophisticated, fresh, and energetic — much like Taylor’s 1989 era. We’ve added a dash of blue curaçao to give it a light blue hue and finished it off with a few edible flowers for added style.
Ingredients (makes one serving):
45ml gin
Dash of blue curaçao
15ml simple syrup
15ml lemon juice
Sparkling wine or Champagne (to top)
Lemon twist (for garnish)
Edible flowers (for garnish)
Ice cubes
Method:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Add the gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, and a dash of blue curaçao to the shaker.
Shake (it off) until the mixture is thoroughly chilled.
Strain the mixture into a champagne flute.
Top up the glass with sparkling wine or Champagne.
Garnish with a lemon twist or a few edible flowers.
Reputation: Dark Venom
Ready for it? The crème de cassis in this whiskey-based cocktail gives it a bold and complex flavour profile that perfectly encapsulates the edgy and defiant spirit of Reputation. Garnish with a couple of black cherries: the dark and sophisticated version of the neon red maraschino cherry. This gorgeous cocktail is anything but delicate.
Ingredients (makes one serving):
50ml bourbon
15ml crème de cassis
7.5ml simple syrup
2 dashes of Angostura bitters
Black cherries (for garnish)
Ice cubes
Method:
Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes.
Add the bourbon, crème de cassis, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters.
Stir the ingredients gently for about 15–20 seconds to chill the mixture.
Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a skewer of black cherries.
Lover: Sweet Afterglow
With notes of vanilla, citrus, cranberry, and pineapple, this Lover-themed cocktail is bright, sweet, upbeat, and full of joy. Garnishing the cocktail with a tuft of cotton candy adds a whimsical and playful touch that you can’t help but fall in love with.
Ingredients (makes one serving):
50ml vanilla vodka
25ml blue curaçao
25ml cranberry juice
25ml pineapple juice
Cotton candy (for garnish)
Ice cubes
Method:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
Add the vanilla vodka, blue curaçao, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice to the shaker.
Shake the ingredients vigorously for about 15–20 seconds to chill the mixture.
Strain the cocktail into a glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with a small tuft of cotton candy for a whimsical touch.
Folklore: Elderflower Epiphany
Light, fresh, and floral, the elderflower epiphany is the ultimate cocktail for Folklore fans. The combination of gin, elderflower, lemon, and honey creates a botanical cocktail that’s sweet yet subtle. Feel free to add a drop of green food colouring to dye it a key lime green.
Ingredients (makes one serving):
45ml gin
15ml elderflower liqueur
15ml lemon juice
15ml honey syrup (made with equal parts honey and water)
60ml sparkling water
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish
Ice cubes
Method:
Fill a glass with ice cubes.
Add gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and honey syrup to the glass.
Stir gently to combine.
Top up with sparkling water.
Garnish with fresh mint leaves.
Evermore: Champagne Problems spritzer
It was only right that we created a champagne-based cocktail for Evermore. The addition of apple juice gives it a cosy autumnal flavour that evokes memories of crisp air, changing leaves, and warm crackling fires, while the sprig of rosemary adds a fresh forest feel.
Ingredients (makes one serving):
60ml apple juice
120ml Champagne or sparkling wine
Splash of soda water
Apple slices (for garnish)
Sprig of fresh rosemary (for garnish)
Ice cubes
Method:
Fill a glass with ice cubes.
Pour the apple juice into a champagne glass.
Top up with Champagne or sparkling wine.
Add a splash of soda water.
Stir gently to combine.
Garnish with apple slice and/or a sprig of rosemary.
Midnights: Lavender Haze
With a delicate lavender flavour, this Lavender Haze cocktail is the perfect sip for those late-night musings. You can buy pre-mixed lavender syrup or make your own. Simply combine equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan, bring to a simmer, add dried lavender buds, and steep for 15–20 minutes before straining.
Ingredients (makes one serving):
45ml gin
15ml lavender syrup
15ml fresh lemon juice
60ml soda water
Lavender sprig (for garnish)
Ice cubes
Method:
Fill a glass with ice cubes.
Add gin, lavender syrup, and fresh lemon juice to the glass.
Stir gently to combine.
Top up with soda water.
Garnish with a lavender sprig for an aromatic finish.
Comment:
“Taylor Swift is an artist that’s constantly changing and evolving, so there really is an era for everyone. From the country twang of her debut album to the electric energy of 'Red', the sophisticated pop beats of '1989' to the enchanting melodies of 'Evermore', each of these cocktails is a harmonious blend of flavours that mirror the emotions and aesthetics of Taylor's iconic albums.
”If you’re not in the mood to shake up a cocktail, you can still enjoy a Taylor Swift-inspired drink with a crisp glass of wine. According to reports, Taylor’s favourite wine is a Sancerre, a dry white from the Sancerre region of the Loire Valley which often has light herby notes and a fresh fruity finish. If rosé is more your style, it seems the star is once again a fan of a light and dry variety, so look for those with a paler colour like a Pinot Grigio or Provence rosé.”
Steve King, Managing Director at Bottled & Boxed
