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Occasions with NIO Cocktails

Enjoy Your NIOs On Any Occasion.
11 articles

PRAWN & CHILLI BUCATINI RECIPE

Our friends at Nonna Tonda have shared a delicious pasta recipe to pair with your favourite NIO Cocktail for World Pasta Day, 25th October. Our recommended cocktail pairings for this seafood dish are Gimlet, Margarita, and Negroni. article image INGREDIENTS serves 2 500g Bucatini pasta 600g Datterino or good quality cherry tomato – Quartered 700g raw shell-on prawns 3 tbsp’s olive oil 120ml White wine 2 garlic cloves – finely sliced A small handful of fresh parsley – finely chopped METHOD 1. Peel and devein the prawns reserving ½ the heads.  2. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan, add the reserved heads and garlic then fry till lightly coloured. 3. Deglaze the pan with white wine then add the prepped tomatoes, cook for around 5 min till the tomatoes have softened and created a sauce.  4. Remove cooked prawn heads from the sauce and discard. 5. Add chopped parsley and raw prawns and cook for 1 minute or until prawns are cooked through, season to taste and set aside. 6. Cook pasta in plenty of salted water. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water. Return to pan with prawn sauce and toss well, adding pasta water to loosen the sauce.  7. Divide between plates. If you decide to make it, we would love to see your creation and hear what you think about the pairing and you can share it with us at @niococktailsuk.

Last updated on Feb 16, 2026

Smoked Salmon & Goats Cheese Salad

Our Cosmopolitan is light and fruity with a citrus balance which makes it a fantastic pairing with oily fish such as smoked salmon. We've tried and tested a delicious smoked salmon salad recipe, easy to make and perfect to enjoy over lunch with friends. page1image35327232 INGREDIENTS Makes 4 2-3 cups per plate of mixed salad leaves 8 oz. smoked salmon 6 sprigs of fresh dill 4 oz. soft goats cheese 1/2 cup red onion slices 16 fresh cherry tomatoes, halved For the vinaigrette 2 tbsp white wine vinegar 1 tbps dijon mustard 1 tsp honey 1/4 tsp salt 6 tbsp olive oil 1/x finely chopped shallot pepper METHOD 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the white wine vinegar, dijon mustard, honey, salt and black pepper and add the olive oil one tablespoon at a time until a creamy emulsion forms. 2. Place the salad leaves on a plate and add smoked salmon, torn dill, goats cheese dollops, cherry tomatoes and sliced red onions 3. Drizzle with dressing and serve. If you decide to make it, we would love to see your creation and hear what you think about the pairing! You can share it with us at @niococktailsuk.

Last updated on Feb 16, 2026

Spaghetti With Lemon, Anchovies, Capers & Olives

We've been testing a few recipe pairings and we wanted to share with you our favourite! We've made a delicious Spaghetti with lemon, anchovies, capers and olives - it's quick, delicious and perfect for a summer's day. The light zesty pasta makes a fantastic pairing to our Gimlet and Gin Sour, highlighting our favourite Mediterranean flavours!  page1image1544120688** INGREDIENTS** Makes 4 2-3 cups per plate of mixed salad leaves 8 oz. smoked salmon 6 sprigs of fresh dill 4 oz. soft goats cheese 1/2 cup red onion slices 16 fresh cherry tomatoes, halved For the vinaigrette 2 tbsp white wine vinegar 1 tbps dijon mustard 1 tsp honey 1/4 tsp salt 6 tbsp olive oil 1/x finely chopped shallot pepper METHOD 1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just tender but not fully cooked. Reserve 2 cups of cooking water, then drain. 2. In a large skillet over medium heat, combine the oil, the garlic, the pepper flakes, the anchovies and the capers. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant. Add the reserved pasta water and bring to simmer. 3. Add the pasta and the olives (if using) and stir for 3-4 minutes. 4. Off the heat, stir in the lemon zest and juice, the caper brine, the parsley and half of the cheese. Taste, season and serve. If you decide to make it, we would love to see your creation and hear what you think about the pairing! You can share it with us at @niococktailsuk.

Last updated on Feb 16, 2026

Rhubarb Eton Mess

Rhubarb is one of our favourite spring flavours and with its tart slightly sour flavour, it's a perfect pairing to our fruity Cosmopolitan. Why not try our take on a classic British dessert and pair it with a delicious Rhubarb Eton Mess. page1image1545659072 INGREDIENTS Makes 6 2 cups chopped rhubarb 1⁄2 cup orange juice 1⁄4 cup sugar 1 tsp orange zest 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1⁄2 cup non-fat Greek yoghurt 2 tbsp sugar 1⁄2 tsp vanilla extract 12 meringue nests METHOD 1. In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan set over medium-high heat, combine the rhubarb, orange juice, sugar and orange zest. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until rhubarb is soft and beginning to fall apart. Set aside to cool off to room temperature 2. In a large mixing bowl, whip together the heavy cream, yoghurt, sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form 3. Break the meringue nests into a large bowl and top with rhubarb compote and your cream mixture. 4. Fold to combine until just mixed and serve immediately. If you decide to make it, we would love to see your creation and hear what you think about the pairing and you can share it with us at @niococktailsuk.

Last updated on Feb 16, 2026

How To Serve Your NIO Cocktail

1. Fill your NIO tumbler glass with ICE. 2. Grab your NIO Cocktail and give it a quick shake. 3. Pinch and tear the corner. 4. Pour over ICE.  5. Leave to stand for a few minutes.  6. Savour the moment. Enhance your cocktail box with NIO Cocktails Tumblers and an XL Ice Mould.

Last updated on Feb 16, 2026

Create The Perfect Home Bar

If you’re planning on creating your own home bar, or have recently got one and need some help with how to fill it, we’ve got you covered! We’ve created a list of some of the must-have items and spirits to create a professional-looking bar at home. Click here to see! Enhance your cocktail box with NIO Cocktails Tumblers and an XL Ice Mould.

Last updated on Feb 16, 2026

Summer With NIO Cocktails

Having a picnic or just want some cocktails to enjoy in the sun? You’ll love our day-to-evening cocktails, created by master mixologist Patrick Pistolesi. Each one is premixed and ready to serve in a minute, so you won’t have to miss a moment of that sunshine.  Take some nibbles outside and unwind with NIO Cocktails' ready-to-drink cocktail made for carefree summer afternoons to sip on a hot day and still feel refreshed. Tea Sour This Tea Sour was created by our genius mixologist Patrick Pistolesi – he had the afternoon in mind as the perfect moment for it. Made with real tea liqueur with a hit of lemon creates a new summer afternoon classic. So when that moment comes, shake it, pour it over ice and serve. You’ll have a bar-quality cocktail, and you won’t waste any of that glorious sunshine doing any prep. article image The Margarita Tart and tangy, our classic Margarita is bound to impress any fan of this iconic summer cocktail. The infamous Margarita was created in honour of showgirl Rita de la Rosa in 1938 and has been a staple of home bars around the world ever since. Hand crafted with premium, 100% Blue Agave Tequila Exotico, the NIO Cocktails Margarita strikes the perfect balance between sweet agave, crisp lime flavours and a hint of salt to create a light and refreshing cocktail. article image Tommy's Margarita Our delightful Tommy’s Margarita cocktail was featured on This Morning with Holly Willoughby for its bright, citrusy and refreshing variation on the classic Margarita cocktail that really allows the tequila to shine. Ideal for summer parties and get-togethers, our high-quality Tommy’s Margarita cocktail combines Exotico Blanco tequila, Toschi Agave Syrup and organic citric acid for a sharp and delicious flavour. article image Daiquiri The Daiquiri is typically enjoyed in the summer with the warmth of the sun soaking into your skin. we believe it’s a perfectly acceptable cocktail to enjoy all year round given how refreshing it is… and the memories it will undoubtedly conjure! Combining white rum, citrus and liquid sugar this popular, classic cocktail is one of the most well-balanced drinks around. article image Enhance your cocktail box with NIO Cocktails Tumblers and an XL Ice Mould.

Last updated on Feb 16, 2026

Dinner With NIO Cocktails

Looking to host a dinner party with your NIOs? Our Best-seller Cocktail Box is the perfect box to enjoy over dinner with 6 unbeatable favourites to enjoy the perfect introduction to Italian cocktail culture - or simply stock up your bar. article image We've also listed some tips & suggestions for your dinner table that you might find useful. Learn the imperative do’s and don’ts for cuisine, food types and drinks using data gathered after surveying 2000 people looking at the British public's attitudes towards dinner parties. article image What Food to Serve? With British cuisine earning itself the top spot, we learned that roast dinners (5.45%) win as the nation’s favourite food to be served at a dinner party. This was followed closely by steak (5.3%) as well as pizza (5.05%) and pasta (3.75%) as the next top picks. Beef dishes including wagyu, fillet, and wellington (2.6%) were also popular among respondents. article image Vegetarianism and Veganism are definitely on the rise, and our survey agreed so! 9.15% of respondents said they wouldn’t want meat-based products of any sort. Respondents also rejected typically spicy foods such as curry and Indian cuisine (4.95%), with 2.15% not wanting anything spicy! Before deciding on what food to serve, we'd recommend getting an idea of your guests' likes and dislikes and asking about any allergies or dietary requirements.  article image Expert Tips on Cocktail & Food Pairing Patrick Pistolesi suggests pairing cocktails with food to enhance the flavours of your dishes and truly wow your guests. "My top tip for cocktail pairing is to contrast and compliment flavours. The drinks must fit with the food without matching the flavours too closely. You want to invigorate the senses and extend the food’s flavour profile, not replicate the flavours of your dish.”  Based on the UK’s favourite dishes, here are Patrick’s recommended cocktail pairings:   Roast dinner - "With rich gravies and tender slow-cooked meat, Mai Tai’s tend to beautifully pair and complement these flavours — rum pairs well with roasted lamb and beef, as well as slow-cooked stews. A rum Mai Tai, combining dark rum, zesty citrus and Cointreau, is a popular cocktail and one of the most well-balanced drinks around. The refreshing citrus will cut through the intense meaty flavours and surprise guests with new flavours that they perhaps haven’t tried before." Steak - "One thing that’s not hard to argue is that whiskey pairs wonderfully with red meat and pork. The spicey, aromatic and warm flavours of a good Bourbon cocktail, such as a Manhattan, will both elevate and balance the flavours of a rich, succulent steak dish." Pizza - "With heavier food like pizza, it’s best to try and pair it with a lighter drink. If the pizza is spicier, consider shaking a light, refreshing cocktail like a Vodka Sour to level out the heat. Vodka is very neutral in flavour, so it’s a good base spirit to start with if you’re unsure how to compliment the food. You can also pair similar tastes in the dish to the drink by adding a herb garnish, such as basil, for a punchy kick of flavour." Pasta - "As an Irish-Italian, I unsurprisingly enjoy pairing Italian dishes with Italian drinks. For a taste of la Bella vita, why not try mixing a classic Italian aperitivo (pre-meal drink) like a rich Negroni. With the bitterness of the Campari and the botanical rich flavours from the Vermouth and bitters, it needs strongly-flavoured pasta dishes, like Pasta alla Carbonara or Lasagne alla Bolognese. Another excellent digestif (after dinner drink) to cleanse the palate after a meal is a classic Espresso Martini. An exquisite cocktail that marries silky vodka with espresso liqueur is a sumptuous choice for the discerning cocktail drinker. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new flavours - your guests may love it!"   article image Enhance your cocktail box with NIO Cocktails Tumblers and an XL Ice Mould.

Last updated on Feb 16, 2026

Dessert With NIO Cocktails

While aperitivo cocktails are designed to stimulate the appetite before a meal, other cocktails are to be enjoyed as a dessert. Rich, indulgent and delicious, dessert cocktails can range from chocolate to coffee flavoured and are the ultimate treat. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then you’ve no doubt tried a few luscious dessert cocktails, and here, we’ve rounded up 7 of our favourites to add to your repertoire to either serve at your next dinner party or treat yourself to after a long day. Espresso Martini A favourite amongst many - especially in the UK, the iconic Espresso Martini is a chilled, coffee-flavoured cocktail that’s typically made with vodka, coffee liqueur and espresso for a rich, robust and thoroughly flavourful cocktail. For those wanting something sweeter, there are also several different variants of the Espresso Martini, such as a Chocolate or Salted Caramel Espresso Martini, and some even choose to swap the vodka for rum for a more intense drink. article imageBrown Gold Our signature, whiskey-based Brown Gold was created by our Head Mixologist, Patrick Pistolesi, who was inspired after spending an evening on a Mediterranean beach and wanted to capture the moment forever in a cocktail. Warm, rich and comforting, the Brown Gold combines bourbon, vanilla liqueur, coffee liqueur, citrus and liquid sugar for a smooth, sweet, yet intense cocktail that’s a delight for all the senses. article image Gimlet With a classic mix of gin and lime, the Gimlet is an ultra-refreshing cocktail that has really stood the test of time. Created by Surgeon Admiral Sir Thomas Gimlette of the Royal Navy in the 1800s, he added lime to his sailors’ daily gin to keep scurvy at bay on long ocean voyages. Classed as one of the world’s most popular classic cocktails, you can’t go wrong with serving a Gimlet after dinner for a cool, tangy and aromatic drink with a delightfully sharp kick.article image Enhance your cocktail box with NIO Cocktails Tumblers and an XL Ice Mould.

Last updated on Feb 16, 2026

Games Night With NIO Cocktails

Inviting friends over for games night? NIO Cocktails have got you covered. Simply have all the ready-to-drink cocktails delivered to each invitee and pair each cocktail with a different game or a different part of the evening.  article image Building The Cocktail Box  As a general rule, the type of cocktail should depend on the type of party and the guests, of course. But to finish off our guide into the world of virtual party planning, here are a few classic cocktail party tips you might want to consider: Build a bespoke box of pre-made cocktails and have them dispatched to each invitee if you really want to cut down on the complications.  Don’t choose cocktails that are too strong. A good virtual games night should last well into the wee hours and you don’t want everyone swinging from the rafters before midnight! article image Enhance your games night with NIO Cocktails Tumblers and an XL Ice Mould.

Last updated on Feb 16, 2026

On the Go With NIO Cocktails

Looking to pack your NIOs abroad? Here are the dimensions of our cocktail boxes to help with your travels.  3 box  Approx 0.54kg 4 box  Approx 1.01kg 6 box  Approx 1.15kg  Length: 350mm Height: 68mm Width: 280mm 9 box  Approx 1.56kg  Enhance your serve with NIO Cocktails Tumblers and an XL Ice Mould. article image

Last updated on Feb 16, 2026