We all have a soft spot for the usual cocktails we end up ordering. These crowd-pleasers enjoy plenty of spotlight, don’t they? The love that some of these cocktails get is deserved, while some are terribly overhyped. But, some cocktails are, well… just there – like the middle child of every family. They are under-appreciated and not popular enough among cocktail connoisseurs. Most of us end up sleeping on them. Well, now it’s time to wake up and appreciate these boozy underdogs that deserve some sparkle and spotlight!
7 Underrated Cocktails That Deserve More Love
- Sidecar
- Aviation
- Shandy
- Pink Lady
- Monkey Gland
- Americano
- French 75
Sidecar
The Sidecar has a history of almost 100 years, dating back to the times of World War 1. Even though the Sidecar enjoys enough popularity among other Cognac drinks, it is still very much ‘side’lined. The drink combines Cognac, fresh lemon juice, and orange liqueur, lending it a beautiful orange hue. The drink allegedly got its name due to the residue that’s left in the shaker after straining it. The ‘residue’ is served into a shot glass by the side of the drink, thus earning it its quirky name. We are sure you too will love a generously poured glass of Sidecar by your side, as you unwind after a long day. Sip on it and side-eye your worries!
Aviation
The turn of the 20th century saw the rise of plenty of innovative cocktails. One of them is the lavender-hued Aviation, ready to . This cocktail combines gin, maraschino liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and crème de violette that lends it that beautiful color. The Aviation, along with being visually pleasing, is also a tantalizing cocktail to the taste buds. The sweet maraschino blends beautifully with the citrusy lemon juice and robust gin. Swirl it up and impress your guests at your weekend dinner. It is indeed a federal crime to not pay heed to this underrated drink, and you can’t convince us otherwise!
Shandy
Hear us out – we know that beer is best left untouched, but when you have a drink like Shandy, you can’t not give it a try. The best part is that this drink is super low on alcohol, just ideal for some day-drinking. Earlier, it was called ‘Shandygaff’, however, with time, the ‘gaff’ eventually got dropped out.
The drink is made by adding either ginger ale or ginger beer to your traditional beer. Some variations substitute the ginger for Sprite or a similar lemon soda. In a list of underrated cocktails, Shandy definitely stands in the top 5 and we can’t agree more!
Also Read: Which Bollywood Character Are You Based on Your Favorite Drinks?
Pink Lady
The Pink Lady is like that friend, who reassures our belief into the famous quote – ‘Looks can be deceiving’. Underneath its soft pink color, the Pink Lady hides an explosion of irresistible flavors. You have the robust London dry gin, applejack (apple brandy), silky egg whites, pomegranate-based grenadine, and freshly squeezed lemon juice coming together to create a smooth, velvety concoction that’s too hard to resist.
Enjoy its delectable flavors with your guys and gals, or when you prefer watching 2000s movie marathons, tucked in your bed. Even though the drink famously fell prey to sexist remarks – for being a lady’s drink – this underrated cocktail deserves attention irrespective of who you identify as!
Monkey Gland
Hold up! We get that this cocktail sounds like the last one you’d ever try, but let’s not judge a book by its cover. This unusually-named drink has a rather concerning history that we bet you wouldn’t want to read. Too late, we’re spoiling it for you anyways. The drink got its name from a French doctor, Dr. Serge Vornoff who transplanted monkey testicles into elderly men. Yeah, you may take some time to process that.
Was his experiment successful? Well, no, and the monkeys must have been terribly traumatized by his ‘experiment’, but the cocktail did not fail in attracting connoisseurs. The key to perfecting the Monkey Gland is using the highest-quality gin, freshly squeezed orange juice, grenadine, and absinthe – the star ingredient. Even though we owe you an apology for spoiling monkeys for you, you’ll instead, be gland that you tried it (pun intended).
Americano
Enough talk about the Americano coffee, it’s time we show some love to its alcoholic sibling. The Americano owns the title of being the first drink to find a mention in the James Bond novels – quite impressive, if you ask us. This apéritif is perfect for getting acquainted with the bitter taste of Campari. All you need is equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth, poured over ice and topped off with some soda. The next time you end up rendezvousing with your buddies, make sure to switch to the boozy side of an Americano, you won’t regret it!
Also Read: 7 Drinks To Order As A First-Time Drinker
French 75
The French 75, though a classic, doesn’t get the love it deserves. This classy drink, made with just gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, and champagne, is the perfect party drink you can get your hands on. Don’t go on its simple appearance, you’d gulp down just one or two more before you get tipsy. This gin variation of the sophisticated champagne is the right drink when you feel like having your main character moment. Yes, you deserve it once in a while.
Summing Up
Now that you’ve gone through our list of underrated cocktails, it is time that you give these drinks a chance. Your new line-up of extraordinary cocktails is ready to be tried out at your next soiree. Be it wowing your friends or kicking in into the weekend mode, these cocktails will leave your taste buds begging for more. After all, every underdog deserves a chance!
FAQs
Is A Sidecar A Martini?
The Sidecar is basically a Margarita with Cognac as the base.
Is A French 75 Strong?
The French 75 combines gin and champagne, making it a relatively strong drink.
What To Pair With A French 75?
Flavorful proteins or dishes such as smoked salmon, griddled prawns, roasted vegetables, etc can be paired with a French 75.
Why Is It Called An Aviation Cocktail?
Aviation cocktail gets its name from the pale blue color the crème de violette imparts to it. It is a cocktail that dates back to the early days of aviation, when sky-travel was an expensive luxury.
Does Ginger Beer Have Alcohol?
Most commercially-made ginger beers do not have any alcohol content or, if they do, have less than 5%.
What’s The Difference Between An Americano And A Negroni?
While both the drinks use Campari and sweet vermouth in equal proportions, the Negroni does not use soda in it, and instead goes with gin.
What Makes A Drink An Apéritif?
As apéritifs are meant to stimulate your appetite before eating, they generally are low-ABV liqueurs and spirits.
What Percentage Of Alcohol Is In An Apéritif?
Apéritifs commonly have an alcohol content between 16% and 25%.
