Whether you’re throwing a street-style bash in your backyard or just soaking in the spirit of the UK’s most vibrant summer event, these Cocktail Recipes For Notting Hill Carnival bring the rhythm, color, and Caribbean-inspired flavor right to your glass.
1. Rum Punch Carnival-Style
When I say Rum Punch, you say vibes! This one’s a classic Notting Hill staple – fruity, boozy, and bold enough to dance on your tongue.
Pour two measures of rich Jamaican dark rum into a tall jug, follow it up with equal parts of golden pineapple juice, half as much zesty orange juice, and finish with a cheeky dash of grenadine for that tropical sunset swirl.
Toss in a sharp squeeze of lime, load it up with ice, and give it a good shake till it’s frosty and fun.
Garnish with orange slices and maraschino cherries. It’s a vibrant liquid fiesta that captures the Caribbean carnival essence in every sip.
2. Mango Lime Daiquiri With A Soca Twist
This one’s got serious rhythm. Blend 1 ripe mango (peeled and cubed), juice of 2 limes, 60 ml white rum, 1 tsp agave syrup, and a handful of ice until it’s silky smooth.
It’s part slushie, part sunshine, and 100% Carnival-ready. Tart meets sweet, with mango’s golden creaminess hugging the zesty lime.
Great for sipping under bunting flags or while listening to Soca beats in your backyard.
Pro Tip: Use frozen mango chunks to make it thicker and colder without extra ice dilution.
3. Caribbean Sorrel Spritz
A ruby-red sparkle for those who love earthy with a zing.
Soak dried hibiscus petals – also known as sorrel – in steaming hot water, then drop in fresh ginger slices, a few cloves, and a cozy cinnamon stick to let the magic brew.
Let it chill, then mix 2 parts sorrel juice, 1 part sparkling wine (or soda for a mocktail version), and a shot of dark rum.
It’s slightly spiced, slightly floral, and entirely sophisticated with a carnival soul. Perfect for evening garden parties with fairy lights.
4. Passionfruit Caipirinha Carnival Crush
This one is fire and flare. In a shaker, muddle 1 passionfruit (scooped), 2 tsp brown sugar, and lime wedges. Add crushed ice and 50 ml cachaça (or white rum if that’s what you’ve got).
Shake and pour into a rocks glass. It’s bold, tropical, and carries a kick that dances like feathered dancers on Carnival day.
That burst of passionfruit with the raw edge of cachaça makes it unforgettable.
5. Pineapple Ginger Carnival Cooler (Mocktail-Friendly!)
Not every glass needs a shot – this one proves that. Blend fresh pineapple chunks, ginger juice, and coconut water for a tropical base.
Add a dash of lime juice and serve over ice in a tall glass. Want to spike it? A splash of light rum works wonders. Refreshing, hydrating, and perfectly in sync with Notting Hill’s vibrant energy.
Pro Tip: For a deeper ginger flavor, grate it fresh and let it steep in the coconut water before blending.
6. Guava & Mint Rum Refresher
Velvety guava meets the zing of mint in this Caribbean-inspired concoction that feels like a breeze from Port of Spain.
Muddle a few mint leaves with lime juice and a touch of honey.
Splash in 60 ml of crisp white rum, then pour over 100 ml of sweet, tropical guava nectar to keep things smooth and juicy.
Shake it all up with ice, strain into a highball glass, and garnish with a guava slice and fresh mint sprig. It’s bright, herbal, and effortlessly cool – just like the vibe at Notting Hill Carnival.
7. Blue Curaçao Steelpan Cooler
This drink’s got flair – and a color so electric it practically pulses to the beat of a steelpan band.
In a cocktail shaker, combine 30 ml Blue Curaçao, 30 ml white rum, 100 ml pineapple juice, and a squeeze of lemon.
Give it a vigorous shake, then let it cascade into a hurricane glass brimming with ice for that perfect chill and flair.
Add a maraschino cherry for drama. It’s bold, tropical, and unapologetically festive. If this drink had a sound, it’d be pure Soca.
8. Spiced Tamarind Carnival Mule
Rooted in Afro-Caribbean tradition, this cocktail has depth, bite, and a cultural soul.
In a copper mug, combine 50 ml spiced rum, 2 tbsp tamarind paste (strained if thick), 15 ml lime juice, and top with ginger beer. Stir gently, then add ice and garnish with candied ginger.
It’s tangy, spicy, slightly smoky – and totally different from your usual festival drink fare. Carnival drinks UK culture doesn’t often highlight tamarind, but this one deserves the spotlight.
9. Coconilla Cream Carnival Sipper
Rich, creamy, and tropical – this drink is like sipping sunshine in slow motion. In a blender, add 50 ml coconut cream, 40 ml vanilla vodka, 1 tsp sugar syrup, and a handful of ice.
Blend until smooth and pour into a chilled coupe glass.
Dust lightly with grated nutmeg. It’s indulgent yet refined, the perfect drink to enjoy while winding down from the Notting Hill parade.
Pro Tip: Pop the glass in the freezer ahead of time so it comes out frosty and ready to keep your cocktail icy-cool till the last sip.
10. Rum & Ting Lime Spritzer
This one’s effortless – but don’t let its simplicity fool you. Fill your glass with ice, pour in 50 ml of bold Caribbean dark rum, crown it with fizzy Jamaican Ting, and finish with a bold squeeze of fresh lime to wake it all up.
Stir, sip, repeat. It’s fizzy, punchy, and utterly addictive.
The bitterness of the grapefruit balances the rum’s molasses warmth, making it the go-to thirst quencher for Carnival street parties.
11. Papaya Sunset Rum Swirl
Think of golden hour on a Caribbean beach – that’s what this cocktail tastes like.
Blend fresh papaya chunks with 40 ml white rum, 20 ml coconut cream, a squeeze of lime, and a touch of agave.
Pour it into a chilled tulip glass, then gently swirl in a bit of grenadine for that ‘sunset’ effect.
The result? A tropical swirl of creamy fruit and tangy rum that mirrors the energy of Carnival parades fading into night.
12. Pineapple Scotch Bonnet Margarita
Now this one’s for the bold! In a shaker, mix 50 ml tequila, 30 ml fresh pineapple juice, 15 ml lime juice, 15 ml triple sec, and a small piece of muddled scotch bonnet pepper (yes, really!).
Shake it like you mean it with plenty of ice, then strain the mix into a rocks glass rimmed with salt for that perfect zesty kick.
It’s tropical with a fiery edge, made for the Carnival crowd that craves spice and drama. This ain’t your ordinary margarita – this is a party in a glass.
13. Watermelon & Basil Bash Punch (Batch Cocktail!)
A crowd-pleaser for any backyard Carnival celebration. Blend fresh watermelon chunks until smooth, strain, and pour into a large punch bowl.
Add a handful of torn basil leaves, 100 ml white rum per liter of juice, lime slices, and soda water to top.
This batch cocktail is crisp, herbal, and hydrating – ideal for sipping between dance-offs and sound systems.
The basil adds that unexpected gourmet twist, while the watermelon keeps things light and breezy.
14. Lychee Coconut Calypso Martini
Here’s your posh Carnival moment. In a shaker, add 40 ml vodka, 20 ml lychee liqueur, 10 ml coconut milk, and a splash of fresh lime juice.
Shake vigorously with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Delicate, floral, and exotic – this drink belongs in your “elevated Notting Hill Carnival drinks” Pinterest board. Sip slowly and sway to the beat. Bonus: it’s stunningly white with a silky texture.
15. Blackberry Ginger Carnival Cooler
Dark, juicy, and a little mysterious – this cocktail stands out in a lineup.
Smash up 5 juicy blackberries with a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger and a drizzle of 10 ml honey until it’s all rich, spicy, and jammy. Add 50 ml spiced rum and a splash of lemon juice.
Give it a brisk shake over ice, then strain it smooth into a chilled rocks glass, ready for sipping.
Top with a bit of ginger ale. It’s rich, layered, and unexpected – kind of like discovering a hidden side street full of live steelpan music.
Final Thoughts
Notting Hill Carnival isn’t just a party – it’s a living, breathing celebration of Caribbean roots, rhythm, and resilience.
And the cocktails? They’re more than just pretty drinks – they’re liquid culture.
Each one tells a story, blending tradition, tropical ingredients, and bold flavors into something unforgettable.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard bash or sipping solo, now you know how to craft drinks that match the energy of the festival.
These aren’t just recipes – they’re invitations to explore global taste, learn balance in flavors, and embrace creativity in your own kitchen.
Carnival might come once a year, but these drinks? They’ll keep your spirit dancing all year long.
