45 Classic Cocktails You Should Know How to Make in 2023
In the world of spirits, mixology, and endless innovation, finding the right classic cocktail can seem like looking for a needle in a haystack. The sheer variety is mind-boggling, and yet, you yearn for that perfect drink.
The one that tantalizes your taste buds, enthralls your senses, and earns you the title of the ultimate host. Well, your search ends today.
When it comes to cocktails, the term "classic" isn't just a flippant label. It's a seal of quality, taste, and timeless appeal. These drinks have stood the test of time, proving their worth in every sip.
A classic cocktail is a harmony of flavours, blending together in a symphony of taste. Its ingredients complement each other, creating an experience that's more than the sum of its parts. Now, let's immerse ourselves in these classic wonders of the cocktail world.
45 Classic Cocktails Guide and their Recipes
1. The Martini
Brief History: The martini's exact origin is unclear, but it's one of the best-known mixed alcoholic drinks. The modern martini has evolved from a cocktail called the Martinez served sometime in the early 1860s in the United States.
Ingredients: Gin, Dry Vermouth, Lemon Peel or Olive for garnish.
Instructions:
- Pour gin and vermouth into a mixing glass with ice cubes.
- Stir well then strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or an olive.
2. The Sidecar
Brief History: Created around the end of World War I, the Sidecar is often attributed to Harry's New York Bar in Paris.
Ingredients: Cognac, Orange Liqueur (such as Triple Sec, Cointreau, or Grand Marnier), Lemon Juice
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Shake until well chilled and strain into a cocktail glass.
3. The Bees Knees
Brief History: Originated during Prohibition, this cocktail used honey and lemon to mask the taste of the subpar gin available.
Ingredients: Gin, Fresh Lemon Juice, Honey
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. The Mai Tai
Brief History: Invented by Victor J. Bergeron in 1944 at his restaurant, Trader Vic's, in Oakland, California.
Ingredients: White Rum, Dark Rum, Orange Curacao, Orgeat Syrup, Fresh Lime Juice, Mint for garnish
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients (except dark rum) with ice.
- Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
- Float the dark rum on top.
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
5. The Zombie
Brief History: This potent concoction was invented by Don the Beachcomber, aka Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt, in the 1930s.
Ingredients: Light and Dark Rum, Apricot Brandy, Lime Juice, Pineapple Juice, Grenadine
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients with ice.
- Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
6. Gin and Tonic
Brief History: Originating in British colonial India, the Gin and Tonic was used to prevent malaria, as the quinine in tonic water was a treatment for the disease.
Ingredients: Gin, Tonic Water, Lime or Lemon for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add gin, top with tonic water, and stir.
- Garnish with a lime or lemon wheel.
7. Manhattan
Brief History: While the exact origin is unclear, this cocktail is believed to have been invented in the mid-1870s by a bartender named Black at a bar on Broadway near Houston Street in New York.
Ingredients: Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Bitters, Maraschino Cherry for garnish
Instructions:
- Stir the rye, vermouth, and bitters well with cracked ice.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a cherry.
8. The Bramble
Brief History: Invented by Dick Bradsell in 1980s London, England, this is a cocktail that's full of flavour and history.
Ingredients: Dry Gin, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Crème de Mûre
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with crushed ice.
- Combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice.
- Shake until chilled and strain into the glass.
- Drizzle Crème de Mûre over the top.
9. Mojito
Brief History: This Cuban cocktail was reportedly a favorite of Ernest Hemingway.
Ingredients: White Rum, Fresh Lime Juice, Sugar, Mint leaves, Soda Water
Instructions:
- Muddle mint leaves and sugar in a sturdy glass.
- Add lime juice and rum, then stir to combine.
- Add crushed ice and top with soda water.
10. Whiskey Soda
Brief History: This straightforward cocktail has been a staple for whiskey lovers for years.
Ingredients: Whiskey, Club Soda
Instructions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour in whiskey and top with club soda.
11. The Old Fashioned
Brief History: This cocktail dates back to the early 19th century and is considered one of the earliest known cocktails.
Ingredients: Bourbon or Rye Whiskey, Sugar, Angostura Bitters, Water, Orange Twist for garnish
Instructions:
- Muddle sugar, bitters, and a splash of water in a glass.
- Fill the glass with ice, add whiskey, and stir.
- Garnish with an orange twist.
12. The Negroni
Brief History: This cocktail was supposedly invented in Florence, Italy, in 1919 when Count Camillo Negroni asked to strengthen his Americano cocktail by adding gin instead of soda water.
Ingredients: Gin, Campari, Sweet Vermouth, Orange Slice or Peel for garnish
Instructions:
- Stir gin, Campari, and vermouth with ice in a mixing glass.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with an orange slice or peel.
13. The Paper Plane
Brief History: This cocktail was created in 2007 by Sam Ross at Little Branch in New York City.
Ingredients: Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, Fresh Lemon Juice
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Shake until chilled and strain into a cocktail glass.
14. Thee Penicillin
Brief History: This modern classic was created by Sam Ross of Milk & Honey in New York City in the early 2000s.
Ingredients: Scotch, Fresh Lemon Juice, Honey-Ginger Syrup, Islay Single Malt Scotch
Instructions:
- Combine Scotch, lemon juice, and syrup in a shaker with ice.
- Shake until chilled and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Top with Islay Scotch.
15. White Lady
Brief History: This modern classic was created by Sam Ross of Milk & Honey in New York City in the early 2000s.
Ingredients: Scotch, Fresh Lemon Juice, Honey-Ginger Syrup, Islay Single Malt Scotch
Instructions:
- Combine Scotch, lemon juice, and syrup in a shaker with ice.
- Shake until chilled and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Top with Islay Scotch.
16. Piña Colada
Brief History: Created in Puerto Rico in the 1950s, it quickly became a hit, especially in the US.
Ingredients: White Rum, Pineapple Juice, Coconut Cream
Instructions:
- Blend all ingredients with crushed ice.
- Pour into a glass and garnish with a slice of pineapple and a cherry.
17. Rum Punch
Brief History: A staple in the Caribbean, this cocktail can be traced back to the 17th century.
Ingredients: Dark Rum, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, Grenadine
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
18. Bloody Mary
Brief History: Invented in the 1920s, it's a classic brunch cocktail.
Ingredients: Vodka, Tomato Juice, Lemon Juice, Worcestershire Sauce, Tabasco Sauce, Salt, Pepper, Celery Stick
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Shake and strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a celery stick.
19. Tom Collins
Brief History: Named after a prank that went viral in the 1870s, this cocktail has been popular ever since.
Ingredients: Gin, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Soda Water, Lemon Slice, Cherry
Instructions:
- Mix gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a tall glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water and garnish with a lemon slice and a cherry.
20. Sazerac
Brief History: Known as one of the oldest American cocktails, it was created in New Orleans in the 19th century.
Ingredients: Rye Whiskey, Absinthe, Sugar Cube, Peychaud’s Bitters, Lemon Peel
Instructions:
- Rinse a chilled glass with absinthe and discard the absinthe.
- Muddle sugar and bitters, add rye whiskey.
- Strain into the glass and garnish with lemon peel.
21. Boulevardier
Brief History: Created by Erskine Gwynne, an American writer who founded a monthly magazine in Paris called Boulevardier, which appeared from 1927 to 1932.
Ingredients: Bourbon, Sweet Vermouth, Campari
Instructions:
- Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
22. Espresso Martini
Brief History: Invented in the 1980s by London bartender Dick Bradsell.
Ingredients: Vodka, Coffee Liqueur, Freshly Brewed Espresso, Sugar Syrup
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Shake until well-chilled and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
23. Aperol Spritz
Brief History: This cocktail has its roots in the Veneto region of Italy, where it was commonly served as an aperitif.
Ingredients: Prosecco, Aperol, Soda Water, Orange Slice
Instructions:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in Prosecco, Aperol, and a splash of soda.
- Garnish with an orange slice.
24. Moscow Mule
Brief History: This cocktail was invented in 1941 by John G. Martin of G.F. Heublein Brothers, Inc., an East Coast spirits and food distributor, and Jack Morgan, proprietor of the Cock 'n' Bull Tavern in Los Angeles.
Ingredients: Vodka, Ginger Beer, Lime Juice, Lime Slice
Instructions:
- Squeeze lime juice into a Moscow Mule mug.
- Drop in the spent shell and add 2 or 3 ice cubes.
- Pour in vodka and fill with cold ginger beer.
25. Clover Club
Brief History: Named after a Philadelphia men's club, it was enjoyed by the club's members in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Ingredients: Gin, Lemon Juice, Raspberry Syrup, Egg White
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker.
- Strain into a cocktail glass.
26. Singapore Sling
Brief History: Created at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore in the early 20th century, it's a classic tropical cocktail.
Ingredients: Gin, Cherry Heering, Bénédictine, Fresh Lime Juice, Soda Water
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients, except soda water, in a shaker with ice.
- Shake and strain into a highball glass.
- Top with soda water.
27. Hurricane
Brief History: Created at Pat O'Brien's bar in New Orleans during World War II, it was served in a hurricane lamp-shaped glass.
Ingredients: Dark Rum, Passion Fruit Juice, Orange Juice, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Grenadine
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
- Shake and strain into a hurricane glass filled with ice.
28. Dark 'n' Stormy
Brief History: This cocktail originated in Bermuda and has been enjoyed by sailors and landlubbers alike for over a century.
Ingredients: Dark Rum, Ginger Beer, Lime Juice, Lime Wheel
Instructions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour in rum, add lime juice, and top with ginger beer.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
29. Cuba Libre
Brief History: This cocktail, essentially a rum and coke with lime, dates back to the early 20th century Cuba.
Ingredients: White Rum, Cola, Lime Juice, Lime Slice
Instructions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour in rum, add lime juice, and top with cola.
- Garnish with a lime slice.
30. Rob Roy
Brief History: Named after the Scottish folk hero, this cocktail was created in New York City in the 1890s.
Ingredients: Scotch, Sweet Vermouth, Angostura Bitters, Maraschino Cherry
Instructions:
- Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
31. Vieux Carré
Brief History: Created at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans in the 1930s, it's a boozy, sophisticated cocktail.
Ingredients: Cognac, Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, Bénédictine, Angostura Bitters, Peychaud’s Bitters, Lemon Twist
Instructions:
- Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
32. French Martini
Brief History: This cocktail was created in the 1980s at one of Keith McNally's New York City bars.
Ingredients: Vodka, Pineapple Juice, Chambord
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
33. Basil Smash
Brief History: Invented in the 21st century, it quickly became a modern classic.
Ingredients: Gin, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Fresh Basil Leaves
Instructions:
- Muddle basil leaves and simple syrup in a shaker.
- Add gin and lemon juice, fill with ice, and shake.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
34. Tommy's Margarita
Brief History: Created by Julio Bermejo in San Francisco in the 1990s, this cocktail is a simpler, purer version of the classic Margarita.
Ingredients: Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Agave Syrup, Lime Wheel
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
35. Harvey Wallbanger
Brief History: Created by Julio Bermejo in San Francisco in the 1990s, this cocktail is a simpler, purer version of the classic Margarita.
Ingredients: Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Agave Syrup, Lime Wheel
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker.
- Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
36. Old Cuban
Brief History: This modern classic was created by Audrey Saunders, owner of the Pegu Club in New York City.
Ingredients: Aged Rum, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Mint, Angostura Bitters, Champagne
Instructions:
- Muddle mint and simple syrup in a shaker.
- Add rum, lime juice, and bitters and shake with ice.
- Strain into a coupe glass and top with champagne.
37. Painkiller
Brief History: This cocktail was created in the 1970s at the Soggy Dollar Bar in the British Virgin Islands.
Ingredients: Dark Rum, Pineapple Juice, Orange Juice, Cream of Coconut
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
38. Horse's Neck
Brief History: This cocktail dates back to the late 19th century and was originally non-alcoholic.
Ingredients: Bourbon or Rye Whiskey, Ginger Ale, Angostura Bitters, Lemon Peel
Instructions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add bourbon, top with ginger ale, and a few dashes of bitters.
- Garnish with a long lemon peel.
39. Cosmopolitan
Brief History: This cocktail became popular in the 1990s, thanks to the TV show "Sex and the City."
Ingredients: Vodka Citron, Cointreau, Lime Juice, Cranberry Juice
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
40. Seelbach
Brief History: This cocktail was created in the early 20th century at the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.
Ingredients: Bourbon, Cointreau, Angostura Bitters, Peychaud's Bitters, Champagne
Instructions:
- Stir all ingredients except champagne with ice in a mixing glass.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and top with champagne.
41. Pisco Sour
Brief History: Created in the early 20th century in Lima, Peru, it's now the national drink of both Peru and Chile.
Ingredients: Pisco, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Egg White, Angostura Bitters
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Add a few drops of bitters on top.
42. Vesper
Brief History: This cocktail was created by Ian Fleming in his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale.
Ingredients: Gin, Vodka, Lillet Blanc
Instructions:
- Stir all ingredients with ice in a mixing glass.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
43. Caipirinha
Brief History: The national cocktail of Brazil, its roots are in the early 20th century.
Ingredients: Cachaça, Lime, Sugar
Instructions:
- Muddle the lime and sugar in a rocks glass.
- Fill the glass with ice and add cachaça.
- Stir until well mixed.
44. Corpse Reviver No. 2
Brief History: One of several "Corpse Reviver" cocktails that were originally devised as a hangover cure.
Ingredients: Gin, Lemon Juice, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, Absinthe
Instructions:
- Rinse a chilled cocktail glass with absinthe, discard the absinthe.
- Shake all other ingredients with ice in a shaker.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
45. Brandy Alexander
Brief History: This creamy, dessert-like drink became popular during the early 20th century.
Ingredients: Cognac, Crème de Cacao, Cream, Freshly Grated Nutmeg
Instructions:
- Shake all ingredients (except nutmeg) with ice in a shaker.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.
With these 45 classic cocktails under your belt, you're not just a drink mixer; you're a curator of experiences. Whether you're hosting a party or enjoying a quiet evening, these cocktails will enhance your moments, creating memories that linger long after the last sip.
So, what are you waiting for? Your journey into the mesmerizing world of classic cocktails begins now.
Grab your shaker, select your spirit, and let's raise a toast to the timeless charm of classic cocktails.
