Scaled recipe (×–)
UK alcohol units: 8g, not 10g
A UK alcohol unit is 8g of pure ethanol , different from the 10g standard used in most of continental Europe. This matters for responsible drinking guidance: the NHS recommends no more than 14 units per week for both men and women, spread over at least 3 days. A single 25ml measure of 40% ABV spirit equals 1 UK unit. A 50ml double equals 2 units. Standard UK cocktail measures at licensed premises are 25ml or 35ml (Scotland uses 25ml as standard).
British classic cocktails and their standard ratios , which this tool can scale for any group size:
Classic British and gin-forward cocktails
| Cocktail | Standard ratio | UK notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pimm's Cup | 1:3 (Pimm's : lemonade) + fruit | Summer staple; Pimm's No.1 is 25% ABV |
| Gin & Tonic | 50 ml gin + 150 ml tonic | Gordons, Tanqueray, Hendrick's are UK staples |
| Negroni | 1:1:1 (gin : Campari : vermouth) | Popular in UK cocktail bars since early 2010s |
| Whisky Sour | 2:¾:¾ (Scotch : lemon : sugar) | Scotch preferred over bourbon in UK bars |
| Espresso Martini | 1:1:½ (vodka : coffee liqueur : espresso) | One of the most ordered cocktails in the UK |
| Aperol Spritz | 3:2:1 (prosecco : Aperol : soda) | Hugely popular at UK garden parties |
Batching for UK events
For stirred cocktails (Negroni, Martini), add 20-25% of the total spirit volume as water to account for dilution that would normally come from ice when stirring. For shaken cocktails, prepare the batch without extra water and shake individual portions when serving. A pre-batched Pimm's Cup can sit in a large jug with ice and fruit for up to 2 hours before it becomes too diluted , add fresh ice to serving glasses, not to the jug.
Unit count for a batched round
To calculate the total units in a batch: multiply the ABV of each spirit (as a decimal) by the volume in ml, then divide by 8 (the UK unit size in grams, approximated as 8ml of pure ethanol). For example, a 2-litre batch Negroni made with 667ml of 40% gin contains 667 × 0.40 / 8 = 33.35 UK units , just under 2.4 units per 100ml portion.