While the trends come and go, classics always remain! Cocktails have been around for a really long time and there are delicious classic cocktails that have made their mark in the world of alcohol. Here are the 7 best classic cocktails that you should definitely try if you haven’t already.
7 Best Classic Cocktails
- Daiquiri
- Old Fashioned
- Martini
- Manhattan
- Gin And Tonic
- Tequila Sunrise
- Negroni
Daiquiri
Believed to be first made by an American engineer in 1898 in Cuba, the Daiquiri took a decade to reach the United States. The cocktail has been unstoppable ever since it was introduced in Washington by a U.S. Navy medical officer.
This has been a go-to cocktail for many famous personalities such as Ernest Hemingway; it has pleased people for decades and will continue doing so. Here’s how you can make this delicious Daiquiri.
Ingredients
- Light rum (2 ounces)
- Simple syrup (¾ ounce)
- Freshly squeezed lime juice (1 ounce)
- Lime twist (for garnishing)
How To Make Daiquiri
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add rum, simple syrup, and lime juice to it.
- Shake all the ingredients until the shaker is chilled.
- Strain the mix into a chilled Coupe glass.
- Garnish your classic Daiquiri with a lime twist and say cheers!
Also Read: 8 Best Daiquiri Cocktail Recipes
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a cocktail that can never go out of fashion when it comes to cocktails. It was first made around 200 years ago and is probably one of the oldest cocktails in the world.
This drink has all the right ingredients to make a delicious cocktail and every generation of drinkers still swear by this reliable drink. The Old Fashioned can be tweaked into modern ways but the classic still remains unmatchable. Here’s how you can make this timeless cocktail.
Ingredients
- Bourbon (2 ounces)
- Simple syrup (¼ ounce)
- Angostura bitters (2 dashes)
- Orange peel (for garnishing)
How To Make The Old Fashioned
- Take a Rocks glass and add Angostura bitters and simple syrup into it.
- Now, add some ice and stir gently.
- Top it with bourbon and stir well for at least 30 seconds.
- Make sure your drink is well diluted and chilled.
- Garnish with orange peel and your Old Fashioned is ready!
Also Read: How To Use Cocktail Syrups
Martini
Martini is a name known to all. It’s one of the first cocktails that beginners drink and almost every bar can make this drink. The Martini is believed to have evolved from a cocktail called the Martinez, made in the small town of Martinez in California.
It used to be primarily made with gin but by the 1970s, vodka started to replace gin. Now, you can make a Martini with vodka or gin – here are the other ingredients you need to gather.
Ingredients
- Gin (2½ ounces)
- Dry vermouth (½ ounce)
- Lemon peel twist (for garnishing)
(The Martini is also made with vodka. So, if you prefer vodka over gin, you can easily replace gin with vodka and follow the same recipe.)
How To Make The Martini
- Take a mixing glass and put gin and dry vermouth into it.
- Add cubed ice and stir your drink for a good 30 seconds.
- Take a chilled Martini glass and stir your chilled drink into it.
- Rub the lemon peel around the rim of the glass and drop it into the Martini.
- Voila! Your Martini is all ready to be enjoyed.
(You can add some olives into your Martini and turn it into a Dirty Martini)
Also Read: Best Martini Recipes
The Manhattan
First invented in 1880 in the Manhattan club in New York, the Manhattan got immensely popular right from the beginning. This whiskey cocktail is what we mean by ‘less is more’ and its proportions are its biggest strength.
Over the years many bartenders have introduced their own tweaks and twists to the cocktail but the classic recipe still remains unmatchable. Here’s how you can make this classic cocktail.
Ingredients
- Rye whiskey (2 ounces)
- Angostura bitters (2 dashes)
- Sweet vermouth (1 ounce)
- Maraschino cherry (for garnishing)
How To Make A Manhattan
- Take a mixing glass and add rye whiskey, Angostura bitters, and sweet vermouth into it.
- Add some ice and stir the mix well until properly chilled.
- Strain your drink into a chilled Coupe glass.
- Garnish your delicious drink with a maraschino cherry and enjoy!
Also Read: Best Gifts For Whiskey Lovers
Gin And Tonic
A simple yet delicious cocktail, Gin And Tonic was a match made out of necessity but soon became an essential. When malaria was spreading in India during the 1840s, the anti-bacterial properties of quinine (present in tonic water) came to the rescue.
In order to make it more palatable, Britishers started to drink it with gin and soon it became an essential. Gin And Tonic’s popularity only increased over the years and now, it’s one of the most loved cocktails. Here’s how you can make this classic G&T.
Ingredients
- Gin (2 ounces)
- Tonic water (4 ounces)
- Lime wheel (for garnishing)
How To Make A Gin And Tonic
- Take a Highball glass and fill it with ice.
- Now, pour the gin into the glass and top it with tonic water.
- Stir your drink gently.
- Garnish it with a lime wheel and enjoy your timeless G&T.
Also Read: Best Gin And Tonic Recipe Variations For International Gin And Tonic Day
Tequila Sunrise
Hands down one of the most stunning cocktails, the Tequila Sunrise has delicious flavors and hues. If the colors remind you of a Californian sunrise, you’re thinking in the right direction. This 3-ingredient cocktail was created in the early 1970s by Bobby Lozoff and Billy Rice at the Trident bar in the Golden State.
When the members of the famous band the Rolling Stones tasted it in 1972, it was the golden moment for this cocktail. It became immensely popular among the band members and its popularity continued to increase. The stunning cocktail still remains one of the most loved classics.
Ingredients
- Tequila
- Freshly squeezed orange juice
- Grenadine
- Orange slice (for garnishing)
How To Make Tequila Sunrise
- Take a chilled Highball glass and fill it with ice.
- Now, add tequila and orange juice to the glass.
- Top it with grenadine.
- Let the grenadine settle at the bottom of the glass and you’ll witness a beautiful sunrise-hued layer.
- Garnish it with an orange slice and enjoy your stunning cocktail.
Also Read: 7 Classic Rum Cocktails
Negroni
Last but definitely not least, Negroni is one of the strongest cocktails if we talk about taste. It has a very interesting origin story that comes to you from a bar in Florence. When Italian Count Camillo Negroni visited Bar Casoni in Florence, he ordered the bartender to make something stronger than Americano.
The bartender replaced soda water with gin and even swapped the lemon peel with an orange peel. The Negroni has become a popular cocktail ever since and still remains one of the most loved cocktails by alcohol enthusiasts who enjoy their cocktails bitter. Here’s how you can make this classic cocktail.
Ingredients
- Gin (1 ounce)
- Sweet vermouth (1 ounce)
- Campari (1 ounce)
- Orange peel (for garnishing)
How To Make Negroni
- Take a mixing glass and fill it with ice.
- Add gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth into the glass.
- Stir the mix until it’s nicely chilled.
- Take a Rocks glass and strain the mix over an ice cube.
- Garnish your Negroni with an orange peel and enjoy!
Also Read: Negroni Week: 5 Exciting Recipes To Celebrate With
Summing Up
It’s important to know the classics and we hope our 7 best classic cocktails nudged you in the right direction. These classic cocktails have come a long way and jazzed themselves to match today’s times. These are delicious and reliable cocktails and you can easily experiment with them as much as you want.
FAQs
What’s The Classiest Cocktail?
Cocktails are a great way to enjoy booze without feeling bitterness. Mai Tai, Old Fashioned, Dark And Stormy, Bellini, and Moscow Mule are definitely some of the classiest cocktails.
What Is The Most Sophisticated Alcohol?
Cognac, Martini, Sidecar, and Vieux Carré can definitely be considered some of the most sophisticated alcoholic drinks.
What Alcohol Do Millennials Drink?
Millennials love their alcohol and a glass of good beer or wine is definitely a hit among them.
What Is The Tastiest Cocktail?
Cocktails are generally delicious because of their different kinds of flavors. The tastiest cocktail can definitely depend upon your preference but you can definitely give a shot to Cosmopolitan, Mai Tai, Espresso Martini, Rum Punch, or Negroni, which are all pretty delicious cocktails.
What Are The Most Popular Cocktails Right Now?
Timeless cocktails like Bourbon Old Fashioned, Whiskey Sour, Aperol Spritz, Porn star Martini, Mai Tai, and Long Island Iced Tea are some of the most popular cocktails right now.
Can You Get Drunk Off Cocktails?
Cocktails contain alcohol so you can definitely get drunk off cocktails. Yes, they definitely taste delicious but keep in mind that they contain alcohol so be mindful of losing track of your drinks.
What Is A Good First Cocktail?
Cocktails are great if you’re just starting out with alcohol. You can start off with a Martini, Margarita, Mojito, or even a Bloody Mary. All of them are delicious with tasty flavors.
What Is A Good Drink To Have At A Wedding?
Weddings are a celebratory occasion and cocktails can blend perfectly into the spirit of it. Mai Tai, Margarita, Gin And Tonic, and Mojito are some of the most popular drinks to have at a wedding.
