The 30 Classic Cocktails Every Cocktail Lover Should Try

There’s something truly special about knowing how to make a great cocktail. Imagine impressing your friends with a perfect Old Fashioned or a refreshing Mojito at your next gathering. Classic cocktails have stood the test of time for a reason—they’re delicious, stylish, and surprisingly easy to make once you know how. Whether you’re new to mixing drinks or looking to expand your bartending skills, these classic cocktails are a must-know.

Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is a timeless cocktail that has been enjoyed since the early 19th century. It’s a simple yet elegant drink that combines bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar, and Angostura bitters. This cocktail is often associated with sophisticated gatherings and classic American bars. To make an Old Fashioned, dissolve a sugar cube with a few dashes of bitters and a splash of water in a glass. Add a large ice cube and pour in 2 ounces of whiskey. Stir gently and garnish with an orange twist.

Martini

The Martini is a classic cocktail known for its simplicity and sophistication. It traditionally consists of gin and dry vermouth, garnished with an olive or a lemon twist. James Bond famously ordered his martinis “shaken, not stirred.” To make a Martini, combine 2 ½ ounces of gin and ½ ounce of dry vermouth in a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir until well-chilled and strain into a chilled martini glass. Add your preferred garnish.

Manhattan

A Manhattan is a smooth and flavorful cocktail made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. It’s usually garnished with a maraschino cherry. This cocktail has its origins in the late 1800s and remains a staple in many bars. To prepare a Manhattan, mix 2 ounces of rye whiskey, 1 ounce of sweet vermouth, and a few dashes of Angostura bitters in a mixing glass with ice. Stir well and strain into a chilled coupe glass, then garnish with a cherry.

Negroni

The Negroni is a bold Italian cocktail that features equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. It’s known for its bright red color and bitter flavor profile. Created in the early 20th century, it has become a favorite aperitif worldwide. To make a Negroni, combine 1 ounce each of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir well and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange twist.

Margarita

The Margarita is a refreshing cocktail that blends tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau or triple sec. It’s often served with a salted rim. This cocktail is especially popular in warm climates and festive occasions. To make a Margarita, shake 2 ounces of tequila, 1 ounce of lime juice, and 1 ounce of Cointreau with ice. Strain into a glass filled with ice and rimmed with salt. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Mojito

A Mojito is a refreshing Cuban cocktail made with white rum, fresh lime juice, mint leaves, sugar, and soda water. Its refreshing qualities make it perfect for hot summer days. To prepare a Mojito, muddle 10 fresh mint leaves and 1 ounce of simple syrup in a glass. Add the juice of one lime and 2 ounces of white rum. Fill the glass with ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a mint sprig.

Daiquiri

The Daiquiri is a simple yet elegant cocktail that combines rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. This drink is named after a beach near Santiago, Cuba, and has been popular since the early 1900s. To make a Daiquiri, shake 2 ounces of white rum, 1 ounce of lime juice, and ¾ ounce of simple syrup with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lime twist.

Whiskey Sour

A Whiskey Sour is a classic cocktail that balances the rich flavor of whiskey with the tartness of lemon juice and the sweetness of simple syrup. This drink is known for its smooth and tangy taste. To make a Whiskey Sour, shake 2 ounces of whiskey, ¾ ounce of lemon juice, and ¾ ounce of simple syrup with ice. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.

Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan is a modern classic that combines vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice. It gained massive popularity in the 1990s, partly due to its frequent appearances in pop culture. To make a Cosmopolitan, shake 1 ½ ounces of vodka, 1 ounce of cranberry juice, ½ ounce of triple sec, and ¼ ounce of lime juice with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lime wheel.

Bloody Mary

The Bloody Mary is a savory cocktail made with vodka, tomato juice, and various spices and flavorings. It’s a popular choice for brunch and is often touted as a hangover cure. To prepare a Bloody Mary, mix 2 ounces of vodka, 4 ounces of tomato juice, 2 teaspoons of horseradish, 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce, and a few dashes of hot sauce in a glass with ice. Stir well and garnish with a celery stalk and a lemon wedge.

Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a refreshing cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water. This drink dates back to the 19th century and remains a popular choice for its light and fizzy taste. To make a Tom Collins, shake 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of lemon juice, and ½ ounce of simple syrup with ice. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice and top with soda water. Garnish with a lemon slice and a cherry.

Gimlet

A Gimlet is a classic cocktail made with gin and lime juice. It became particularly popular during the early 20th century. To prepare a Gimlet, shake 2 ounces of gin and 1 ounce of lime juice with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lime wheel.

Sazerac

The Sazerac is a historic New Orleans cocktail made with rye whiskey, absinthe, and Peychaud’s bitters. It’s often considered one of America’s oldest cocktails. To make a Sazerac, rinse a chilled glass with absinthe and discard the excess. In a separate glass, stir 2 ounces of rye whiskey, 1 sugar cube, and a few dashes of Peychaud’s bitters with ice. Strain into the absinthe-rinsed glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Pimm’s Cup

The Pimm’s Cup is a refreshing British cocktail made with Pimm’s No. 1, lemonade, and various fruits and herbs. It is often enjoyed at summer events like Wimbledon. To prepare a Pimm’s Cup, fill a tall glass with ice and add 2 ounces of Pimm’s No. 1. Top with lemonade and garnish with cucumber, mint, and assorted fruits.

French 75

The French 75 is a sparkling cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Champagne. It is named after a powerful French field gun used during World War I. To make a French 75, shake 2 ounces of gin, ¾ ounce of lemon juice, and ¾ ounce of simple syrup with ice. Strain into a champagne flute and top with Champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a refreshing cocktail made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, traditionally served in a copper mug. This cocktail was invented in the 1940s and remains popular for its zesty flavor. To prepare a Moscow Mule, fill a copper mug with ice, add 2 ounces of vodka and ½ ounce of lime juice, then top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Paloma

The Paloma is a popular Mexican cocktail made with tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda. It’s a refreshing alternative to the Margarita. To make a Paloma, fill a glass with ice, add 2 ounces of tequila and ½ ounce of lime juice, then top with grapefruit soda. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Sidecar

The Sidecar is a classic cocktail made with cognac, Cointreau, and lemon juice. This drink is believed to have originated during World War I. To prepare a Sidecar, shake 2 ounces of cognac, ¾ ounce of Cointreau, and ¾ ounce of lemon juice with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Caipirinha

The Caipirinha is a traditional Brazilian cocktail made with cachaça, lime, and sugar. It is Brazil’s national cocktail and perfect for hot weather. To make a Caipirinha, muddle half a lime cut into wedges with 2 teaspoons of sugar in a glass. Fill the glass with ice and add 2 ounces of cachaça. Stir well.

Aperol Spritz

The Aperol Spritz is a light and refreshing Italian cocktail made with Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water. It is often enjoyed as an aperitif in Italy. To prepare an Aperol Spritz, fill a glass with ice, add 3 ounces of Prosecco, 2 ounces of Aperol, and a splash of soda water. Garnish with an orange slice.

Mai Tai

The Mai Tai is a tropical cocktail made with rum, lime juice, orgeat syrup, and orange liqueur. It was created in the 1940s and is a staple of Tiki culture. To make a Mai Tai, shake 2 ounces of rum, ¾ ounce of lime juice, ½ ounce of orgeat syrup, and ½ ounce of orange liqueur with ice. Strain into a glass filled with ice and garnish with a mint sprig and a lime wheel.

Bellini

The Bellini is a classic Italian cocktail made with Prosecco and peach puree. It was invented at Harry’s Bar in Venice. To prepare a Bellini, pour 1 ounce of peach puree into a champagne flute and top with Prosecco. Stir gently.

Mint Julep

The Mint Julep is a refreshing cocktail made with bourbon, fresh mint, sugar, and water. It is traditionally served at the Kentucky Derby. To make a Mint Julep, muddle 10 fresh mint leaves with 1 teaspoon of sugar and a splash of water in a glass. Fill the glass with crushed ice, add 2 ounces of bourbon, and stir well. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Gin Fizz

The Gin Fizz is a light and frothy cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, and soda water. This drink dates back to the late 19th century. To prepare a Gin Fizz, shake 2 ounces of gin, ¾ ounce of lemon juice, ¾ ounce of simple syrup, and an egg white with ice. Strain into a glass and top with soda water.

Vesper

The Vesper is a sophisticated cocktail made with gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc. It was popularized by James Bond in the novel “Casino Royale.” To make a Vesper, shake 3 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of vodka, and ½ ounce of Lillet Blanc with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Amaretto Sour

The Amaretto Sour is a sweet and tangy cocktail made with amaretto, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This drink is particularly popular during the winter months. To prepare an Amaretto Sour, shake 2 ounces of amaretto, 1 ounce of lemon juice, and ½ ounce of simple syrup with ice. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with a cherry.

Clover Club

The Clover Club is a classic cocktail made with gin, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and egg white. It originated in a gentlemen’s club in Philadelphia. To make a Clover Club, shake 2 ounces of gin, ½ ounce of raspberry syrup, ½ ounce of lemon juice, and an egg white with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.

Dark ‘n’ Stormy

The Dark ‘n’ Stormy is a spicy and refreshing cocktail made with dark rum and ginger beer. This drink is often associated with Bermuda. To prepare a Dark ‘n’ Stormy, fill a glass with ice, add 2 ounces of dark rum, and top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Boulevardier

The Boulevardier is a rich and complex cocktail made with bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari. It is similar to a Negroni but uses bourbon instead of gin. To make a Boulevardier, stir 1 ½ ounces of bourbon, 1 ounce of sweet vermouth, and 1 ounce of Campari with ice. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with an orange twist.

Aviation

The Aviation is a classic cocktail made with gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, and lemon juice. It was created in the early 20th century and has a distinctive pale blue color. To prepare an Aviation, shake 2 ounces of gin, ½ ounce of maraschino liqueur, ¼ ounce of crème de violette, and ½ ounce of lemon juice with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a cherry.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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