Cocktails and Casinos: A Traveler’s Guide to New Zealand

Sipping cocktails while playing casino games is a match made in gambling heaven. Cocktails quench your thirst for alcohol without affecting your decision-making on the blackjack table too much.

If you’re like James Bond, a dry Martini—shaken and not stirred—is your drink of choice. If you’re a whiskey fan, you probably prefer to drink the whiskey sour.

In this guide, we’ll highlight the best cocktails to find while touring New Zealand casinos. Spoiler alert: you don't need to visit a physical casino to play slots, poker, or roulette in Kiwi land.

In this age of online casinos, you can have fun gambling with $1 deposits while in a hotel room, campsite, or at the back of your taxi. If you also want to experience land-based casinos while in NZ, here are some of the best cocktails to try out:

1.    Margaritas

Whether you tour NZ in the summer or winter, you will always find Margaritas at top bars and casinos. A Margarita is refreshing, stimulating, and boozy.

It is the world's favorite cocktail according to ranker.com. It originated in Mexico but you can find it at nearly every cocktail bar in New Zealand. In Auckland, SkyCity Casino, Dos Amigos, Taco Loco, and Mexico are the best places to sip Margaritas.

In Wellington, you won't find a better spot to enjoy Margaritas with friends than Los Banditos. It opens until late at night, making it an excellent location for tourists.

2.    Martini

You can never go wrong with a Martini. It is one of the most popular cocktails in the world. Casinos in NZ particularly love it, from Auckland to Dunedin. While Agent 007 loves his drink shaken, you can have your Martini stirred, dry, or wet.

What's the difference? A dry Martini has gin as its main ingredient. It includes little or no vermouth. If you order a dirty Martini, the mixologist will order an olive brine for your drink.

James Bond orders his Martini shaken. Shaking a Martini dilutes it a bit. This slows down your inebriation rate, allowing you to make the right decisions at the poker and blackjack tables. By contrast, stirring a Martini chills it without necessarily diluting it.

3.    Mojito

A cold Bacardi Mojito isn’t just delicious. It can also refresh your mind after an hour at the pokie machines—New Zealand’s name for slots. Some generous casinos offer you a Mojito as a complimentary gesture.

Sometimes you need to ask for the drink from the waiters. Ensure you’re asking for a complimentary drink. Otherwise, you’ll be charged for it. Mojitos are an energizing drink. But they’re not created equal.

Habana Rum Bar, located in Christchurch, is one of the best places to find Mojitos in NZ. In Queenstown, find the best drinks at Little Blackwood. SkyCty Casino Queenstown doesn’t offer drinks. Fortunately, there are several cocktail bars around the city.

4.    The Negroni

The Negroni was created accidentally by an Italian bartender about 100 years ago. The customer, Camillo Negroni, is the bartender to strengthen his Americano. He replaced soda with gin and added vermouth, Campari, and a touch of orange.

Negroni liked the drink so much that he spread its recipe throughout Italy. Today, the Negroni is a popular menu item at various casinos and bars in New Zealand. It is sweet but bitter, punchy, and iconic—making it a must-have cocktail while touring the land of kiwi birds.

5.    Bloody Mary

If you love vodka but find it too strong, there's no better substitute than a Bloody Mary. The drink combines fresh lemon juice with two ounces of vodka, a pinch of pepper, tomato juice, and some salt.

The result is a beautiful drink that tastes sour and punchy. But it is not too strong to intoxicate you before you finish your baccarat game. If you plan to visit the Christchurch-Canterbury region, drop by at the Bloody Mary’s Bar and Steakhouse. The establishment serves the best delicacies in the region. It also offers the most refreshing Bloody Mary drinks in NZ.

6.    Long Island Iced Tea

A full shot of vodka, rum, triple sec, tequila, and lemon juice in ice makes the perfect Long Island iced tea. To add color, most people add a splash of cola. It is delicious, cold, and punchy.

Long Island is a great celebration party drink, especially among young collegegoers in the US. It is also common throughout NZ. Take caution, though. If you're heading to a casino, you don't want to take too much Long Island iced tea.

It can be quite boozy. Also, some bartenders don’t like the drink because it takes more time to prepare. To avoid receiving a subpar drink, visit the best cocktail bars in the country.

7.    The Royal Flush

Winning a Royal Flush is the best way to end any poker game. For your celebration, you should consider drinking a cocktail of the same name. Made with whiskey, club soda, peach, and cranberry juice, the Royal Flush is smooth and refreshing.

As a drink associated with gambling, the Royal Flush is mostly common within casinos. Should you find it at NZ bars, however, it can be a great conversation starter. It is not too strong, making it a great drink to use while playing poker or other games.

8.    Pina Colada

Born in Puerto Rica, Pina Colada is one of the most popular cocktails in the world. It is easy to see why. It looks beautiful. It comes in a large glass and tastes amazing.

While Pina Colada features Bacardi and tequila, its blend of coconut cream and pineapple juice is what makes it stand out from other drinks. It isn't too boozy, meaning you could have a few Pina Coladas before you get tipsy.

If you visit a generous casino, you’ll probably receive a Pina Colada as a complimentary drink. Most casinos give you free drinks after a couple of hours of playing different games. They can also send you free drinks if you’re a familiar high roller.