A twist on the classic cocktail

Shake things up when you mix your next cocktail to blend your new Friday night fave.

Source: Hardie Grant Books

A cocktail - any cocktail - is always a welcome sip, but let's take things up a notch. Why stick to the straights when you can add some extra tang to your gin spritzer, chocolate to your martini and... fermented probiotics to your bloody Mary?

The beauty of a boozy beverage is that it can take some experimentation. Which can lead to you finding your new Friday night favourite. Maple syrup in your old fashioned, anyone?

Come on, it's time to shake things up.

Kimchi Bloody Mary

Tomato juice, horseradish, soju, kimchi brine, lemon juice, tabsco, maple syrup... no, it's not a shopping list for your next health kick; it's your new fave drink. Source: Tammi Kwok

This cocktail is so full of vegetables and fermented probiotics it's practically a smoothie. The tabasco kick only adds to its health benefits.

Mulled coffee

Brandy and rum-laced coffee on fire. Source: Rochelle Eagle

You know you're onto a good thing when you have to set fire to your grog-infused brew and let it burn, baby, burn before sipping. Café caleta is as much about the theatre as it is the drinking.

Chocolate martini

Friday night cocktails just became dessert. Source: Hardie Grant Books

Now here's a combination we can get on board with: a cardamom-infused vodka martini spiked with dark chocolate. Talk about warming the choc-kles...

Roasted piña colada

The ultimate tropical island drink. Source: Benito Martin

If you like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain... for the ultimate escape, your half brain will appreciate caramelising your pineapple before mixing up this tropical holiday.

Maple old fashioned

Maple syrup brings out the warm, rich, caramel flavour of bourbon perfectly. Source: Tammi Kwok

Ditch the sugar cube and let the maple syrup flow instead. It brings a caramel richness that makes an old fashioned new again.

Calamansi gin spritzer

The kind of cocktail that blasts you into relaxed-mode. Source: Fides Santos-Arguelles

For an even zingier version of a gin spritzer, slip in some calamansi instead of lemon or lime. The tartness of the fruit is such a refreshing match for gin.

Rosé jelly with vanilla cream and berries

Rosé jelly brings new meaning to the term 'dessert wine'. Source: Danielle Abou Karam

Turn your cocktail into a fully-fledged dessert with a slug of gelatine and a dash of panache. If you thought drinking rosé was one step closer to heaven, try a spoonful of this and open the gates.

Watermelon basil margarita

Turkey chilachilies Source: SBS Food

If summer was a cocktail...

Passionfruit jellies with a shot of vodka or gin

Serving your cocktail desert in the shell will only add to the merriment. Source: Benito Martin

But back to the 'cocktail as dessert' option... add a shot of vodka or gin to this easy passionfruit jellies recipe and you're laughing. Probably quite literally.

Mexican-style beer bloody Mary

The bracing michelada is served all over Mexico and every region adds its own tasty twist. Source: Benito Martin

The michelada is a savoury beer cocktail flavoured similarly to a virgin Mary. Lime, chilli, salt, hot sauce and cold beer come together in a chilled, salt-rimmed glass. ¡olé!