$21,000 for a Drink? Discover the World’s 10 Most Expensive Cocktails

Introduction

Most Expensive Cocktails: Cocktails can be fun and refreshing, but some come with a shocking price tag. These luxury drinks are not just about taste; they often include rare ingredients, aged spirits, and even gold flakes or diamonds. Some are served in fancy glasses, which you can take home as a souvenir. The most expensive cocktails are found in high-end hotels and bars worldwide, catering to the wealthy and collectors of fine drinks.

Prices can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars for a single glass. While most people enjoy simple cocktails, these exclusive drinks are more about luxury and status. Whether you try one or not, they remain a fascinating part of the world of mixology.

History About Cocktails

• The term “cocktail” was first defined in 1806 as a stimulating liquor composed of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters.
• The Sazerac, created in 1838 by Antoine Peychaud in New Orleans, is considered one of the oldest known cocktails.
• In 1862, Jerry Thomas published “How to Mix Drinks, or the Bon Vivant’s Companion,” the first bartender’s guide.
• The late 19th century is often referred to as the Golden Age of Cocktails in the United States.
• During the U.S. Prohibition era (1920-1933), cocktails were often made with poorly produced alcohol.
• In the 1930s and 1940s, tiki bars popularized rum-based cocktails inspired by Polynesian culture, such as the Mai Tai and Zombie.
• Classic cocktails became popular again in the late 1900s and early 2000s.
• The “Diamonds Are Forever Martini,” served at the Ritz Carlton in Tokyo, costs USD 22,579 and includes a one-carat diamond.
• The Old-Fashioned has long been one of the most popular cocktails worldwide due to its simplicity and mass appeal.
• The Museum of the American Cocktail was founded in 2004 in New Orleans.

Types of Cocktails

(Source: fooddrinklife.com)

Factors Making Cocktails More Expensive

• Premium Ingredients: Using high-quality or rare spirits and mixers increases costs.
• Labor-Intensive Preparation: Complex cocktails require more time and skill to prepare.
• Increased Operational Costs: Rising expenses such as rent, utilities, and wages contribute to higher drink prices.
• Specialty Ingredients: Unique or house-made components can add to the cost of a cocktail.
• Licensing and Insurance: Expenses related to liquor licenses and insurance are often reflected in drink prices.
• Market Demand: High demand for craft cocktails allows establishments to charge more.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Expensive Cocktails

Top 10 Most Expensive Cocktails​ of 2025

1. Diamonds Are Forever-Japan (USD 21,000)
2. Winston-Australia (USD 13,000)
3. Ono Cocktail-United States (USD 10,000)
4. Salvatore’s Legacy-United Kingdom (USD 10,000)
5. The Secret Margarita-United States (USD 5,000)
6. The Crystal Elite-United States (USD 5,000)
7. Sazerac-United Kingdom (USD 5,000)
8. Side Car-France (USD 3,000)
9. Macallan M Lalique-Dubai (USD 1,650)
10. Kentucky Derby Mint Julep-United States (USD 1,000)

#1. Diamonds Are Forever

(Source: prestigeonline.com)

• Ingredients: Chilled Absolut Elyx vodka with a splash of fresh lime juice.
• Garnish: A flawless, one-carat diamond placed at the bottom of the glass.
• Presentation: Prepared tableside, accompanied by a live performance of “Diamonds Are Forever.”
• This special drink is only available at The Bar on the 45th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo.
• It was taken from the James Bond movie Diamonds Are Forever.
• Made with top-quality spirits and paired with fine jewellery, this cocktail offers a one-of-a-kind luxury experience.
• It’s designed for guests who want something truly special and unforgettable.
• A real diamond is placed in the drink as a garnish, and you get to keep it as a souvenir.
• However, please be careful when drinking to avoid swallowing the diamond by mistake.

#2. Winston

(Source: facebook.com)

• This cocktail is made with very rare spirits, including an 1858 Croizet Cognac.
• It was created by famous mixologist Joel Heffernan and is served at Club 23 in Melbourne, Australia.
• The drink is beautifully decorated with gold flakes and poured into a special crystal glass. Because of its rare ingredients, only a few are available, and you must order it at least two days in advance.
• The flavor is rich and complex, along with deep and aromatic notes.
• This exclusive cocktail is a true symbol of luxury and elegance.

#3. Ono Cocktail

(Source: eater.com)

• Location: Served at XS Nightclub, Encore Las Vegas.
• The ingredients are cognac (Rémy Martin Louis XVIII Black Pearl) and Champagne (Charles Heidsieck 1981 Champagne Charlie).
• Glassware: Custom-designed glass embellished with 18-karat gold.
• Jewellery: Accompanied by a pair of 18-karat gold Mont Blanc cufflinks and a woman’s 18-karat gold chain with a black pearl pendant.
• This cocktail is brought to your table in style by a personal server.
• It’s only available with a reservation because the ingredients are rare and exclusive.
• Designed for wealthy guests who enjoy luxury, it’s one of the priciest cocktails in the world.
• The experience includes rare spirits and lavish extras, making it a truly special treat.

#4. Salvatore’s Legacy

(Source: ramadaneemrana.com)

• Creator: Salvatore Calabrese, a renowned mixologist.
• Creation Year: 2012.
• Ingredients: Cognac (40ml of 1788 Clos de Griffier Vieux Cognac), Kummel Liqueur (20ml of 1770 Kummel Liqueur), Orange Curaçaom (20ml of circa-1860 Dubb Orange Curaçao) and Bitters (Two dashes of early 1900s Angostura Bitters).
• Total Volume: Approximately 80ml.
• Age of Ingredients: Combined, the ingredients represent over 700 years of history.
• This cocktail was served at The Playboy Club in London.
• In 2012, it set a Guinness World Record as the most expensive cocktail.
• It was made using old, vintage bar tools and poured into a classic cocktail glass.
• People call it the world’s oldest cocktail because of the age of its ingredients.

#5. The Secret Margarita

(Source: thesuperluxe.com)

• You can find this luxurious cocktail at The Pines Steakhouse inside Yaamava Resort & Casino in California.
• It’s made with the rare 1985 Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne and top-shelf tequilas, such as 1800 Colección and Jose Cuervo Platino.
• For a refreshing twist, it includes white pineapple juice and limequat juice.
• The drink is served in an elegant Versace Medusa Lumiere Haze Champagne flute and decorated with a pineapple flower, lime caviar from Australian finger limes, and an eye-catching 4.1-carat diamond.
• Due to its exclusivity, you’ll need to pre-order this cocktail.
• Security guards are present when it’s served to protect its valuable garnishes.

#6. The Crystal Elite

(Source: vinepair.com)

• Base Spirit: Rémy Martin Louis XIII cognac.
• Liqueur: Rare 1920 Bénédictine.
• Additional Ingredient: Saffron-infused Manuka honey
• Presentation: Served in Baccarat crystal glassware.
• This special drink is only served at the bar in the Baccarat Hotel.
• It has a rich and complex taste with hints of honey and spice.
• This comes in a custom-made Baccarat crystal glass and is topped with an edible gold leaf.
• As it’s a limited edition, it’s best to book a reservation in advance.

#7. Sazerac

(Source: lettersandliquor.com)

• This cocktail is made with rare and historic ingredients.
• It starts with 1858 Sazerac de Forge et Fils Cognac as the base spirit, mixed with Peychaud’s Bitters from the 1900s.
• A sugar cube is muddled with the bitters and then combined with the cognac.
• The glass is rinsed with 1950s Pernod Absinthe before serving in a chilled Old-Fashioned glass.
• A twist of lemon peel is added on top for garnish.
• This drink is served at the American Bar in The Savoy Hotel in London, but it is difficult to find due to the rarity of its ingredients.
• It brings back the classic flavors of the original 19th-century Sazerac.

#8. Side Car

(Source: seriouseats.com)

• Inventor: Colin Peter Field, head bartender at Bar Hemingway, Hôtel Ritz Paris.
• Ingredients: 50% Ritz Fine Champagne 1865 Cognac, 30% Cointreau and 20% lemon juice.
• Cognac: Made from pre-phylloxera grapes, making it exceptionally rare.
• Serving Location: Exclusively at Bar Hemingway, Hôtel Ritz Paris.
• Glassware: Served in a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish: Typically, a sugared rim with an orange or lemon twist.
• Preparation: Ingredients shaken with ice, then strained into the glass.
• Availability: Limited due to the rarity of ingredients.

#9. Macallan M Lalique

(Source: themacallan.com)

• Alcohol by Volume (ABV):7% alcohol content.
• Ageing Process: It matured in oak casks seasoned with sherry, giving it a deep, rich flavour and dark colour.
• Bottle Design: Comes in a beautifully handcrafted crystal decanter made by Lalique.
• Limited Availability: Only a small number of bottles are made, making it highly exclusive.
• Taste Notes: A complex flavour with soft, smoky hints and a touch of peat.
• Colour: A natural deep rosewood shad without any artificial colouring.
• Bottle Size: Usually sold in 750 mL bottles.
• Record-Breaking Sale: One decanter was auctioned for $628,000 at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong, setting a world record.
• Collection: Part of The Macallan’s M Collection, which highlights the brand’s key values, like natural colour and expert craftsmanship.

#10. Kentucky Derby Mint Julep

(Source: howstuffworks.com)

• Premium Ingredients: This drink is crafted with Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Kentucky Colonel mint leaves, and sorghum simple syrup.
• Exclusive Presentation: Served in limited-edition silver or gold-plated cups.
• Limited Availability: Only 103 traditional cups and three prestige cups are offered annually.
• Charitable Contributions: Proceeds from these premium cocktails support retired racehorse charities.
• Historical Significance: The Mint Julep has been the official drink of the Kentucky Derby since 1938.
• Mass Consumption: Approximately 120,000 Mint Juleps are served over the Derby weekend.
• Cost Analysis: Each standard Mint Julep costs about USD 3.33 to make but retails for USD 11.
• Global Ingredients: Some premium versions use mint from Ireland, ice from the Bavarian Alps, and sugar from Australia.
• Commemorative Souvenirs: Purchasers receive a keepsake cup, adding value beyond the beverage itself.

Conclusion

Expensive cocktails are more than just drinks; as well as offer unique experiences for special moments. Such beverages are made with rare ingredients, aged spirits, and sometimes even gold or diamonds. They are crafted for those who enjoy the finest things in life. While most people may never get to try them, these cocktails showcase the creativity and talent of top bartenders. Whether ordered for status or simply for pleasure, these high-priced drinks are a special part of upscale nightlife, proving that a cocktail can be more than just something to sip as it can be an art.