Classic Cocktails: The Ultimate Guide to 15 Timeless Drinks

Cocktails have been integral to social gatherings and culinary experiences for generations. This comprehensive guide explores 15 classic cocktails that have stood the test of time, offering detailed information on their ingredients, preparation methods, history, and variations.

Martini Variations

Dirty Martini

• Ingredients:
  • 2 1/2 oz gin or vodka
  • 1/2 oz dry vermouth
  • 1/2 oz olive brine
  • 2-3 cocktail olives for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Fill the shaker halfway with ice cubes
  2. Add gin or vodka, vermouth, and olive brine
  3. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass
  4. Garnish with olives
• History:
  • The Dirty Martini is a variation of the classic Martini, believed to have originated in the early 20th century
  • It gained popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s

Lotus Martini

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz blue curaçao
  • 1/2 oz lychee syrup
  • 1/2 oz grenadine
  • 1 sprig of mint for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Fill the shaker halfway with ice cubes
  2. Add gin, blue curaçao, lychee syrup, and grenadine
  3. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass
  4. Garnish with a sprig of mint

Espresso Martini

• Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz espresso, cold
  • 1/2 oz coffee liqueur
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 3 espresso beans for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Fill the shaker with ice cubes
  2. Add vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and simple syrup
  3. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass
  4. Garnish with three espresso beans
• History:
  • Created in the 1980s by bartender Dick Bradsell in London
  • Originally called the Vodka Espresso

Whiskey-Based Classics

Manhattan

• Ingredients:
  • 2 1/2 oz bourbon
  • 1/2 oz sweet vermouth
  • 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
  • 1 maraschino cherry for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes
  2. Add bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters
  3. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass
  4. Garnish with a maraschino cherry
• History:
  • Believed to have been created in the 1870s at the Manhattan Club in New York City
  • One of the most famous whiskey-based cocktails

Old Fashioned

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
  • 1 sugar cube
  • 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters
  • Orange peel
  • 1 maraschino cherry
• Preparation:
  1. Place the sugar cube in an Old Fashioned glass
  2. Add bitters and muddle
  3. Add whiskey and stir
  4. Add ice cubes and stir again
  5. Garnish with orange peel and maraschino cherry
• History:
  • One of the oldest known cocktails, dating back to the early 1800s
  • Originally called the “Whiskey Cocktail”

Whiskey Sour

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz bourbon whiskey
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 3/4 oz simple syrup
  • 1/2 oz egg white (optional)
  • Orange slice and maraschino cherry for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Fill the shaker with ice cubes
  2. Add whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using)
  3. Shake vigorously and strain into a rock glass filled with ice
  4. Garnish with orange slice and maraschino cherry

Vodka Favorites

Bloody Mary

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz vodka
  • 4 oz tomato juice
  • 1/2 oz lemon juice
  • 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 dashes of Tabasco sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Celery stick and lemon wedge for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Fill the shaker with ice cubes
  2. Add all ingredients except garnishes
  3. Shake gently and strain into a tall glass filled with ice
  4. Garnish with celery stick and lemon wedge
• History:
  • Created in the 1920s, possibly at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris
  • Named after Queen Mary I of England

Long Island Iced Tea

• Ingredients:
  • 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz white rum
  • 1/2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz tequila
  • 1/2 oz triple sec
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1 oz simple syrup
  • Cola to top
  • Lemon wedge for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes
  2. Add all ingredients except cola
  3. Top with cola and stir gently
  4. Garnish with a lemon wedge
• History:
  • Created in the 1970s, with competing origin stories from Long Island, NY and Kingsport, TN
  • Known for its high alcohol content and deceptive taste

Harvey Wallbanger

• Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 oz vodka
  • 4 oz orange juice
  • 1/2 oz Galliano
  • Orange slice for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes
  2. Add vodka and orange juice, stir
  3. Float Galliano on top
  4. Garnish with an orange slice
• History:
  • Created in the 1950s, it was named after a surfer who reportedly frequented the bar where it was invented

Gin Cocktails

Negroni

• Ingredients:
  • 1 oz gin
  • 1 oz Campari
  • 1 oz sweet red vermouth
  • Orange peel for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes
  2. Add gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth
  3. Stir well and strain into a rock glass filled with ice
  4. Garnish with an orange peel
• History:
  • Created in Florence, Italy, in 1919
  • Named after Count Camillo Negroni, who requested a stronger version of the Americano cocktail

Tom Collins

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • Club soda to top
  • Lemon wheel and maraschino cherry for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Fill a Collins glass with ice cubes
  2. Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup
  3. Top with club soda and stir gently
  4. Garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry
• History:
  • First recorded in writing in 1876 by Jerry Thomas
  • Named after a popular practical joke of the 1870s

Rum Delights

Mojito

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz white rum
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 1/2 oz simple syrup
  • 6-8 mint leaves
  • Club soda to top
  • Mint sprig and lime wheel for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. In a highball glass, muddle mint leaves with simple syrup and lime juice
  2. Fill the glass with ice cubes
  3. Add rum and top with club soda
  4. Stir gently and garnish with mint sprig and lime wheel
• History:
  • Originated in Havana, Cuba
  • Became popular in the 1930s, favoured by Ernest Hemingway

Piña Colada

• Ingredients:
  • 2 oz white rum
  • 2 oz coconut cream
  • 2 oz pineapple juice
  • 1/2 cup crushed ice
  • Pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Blend rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and crushed ice until smooth
  2. Pour into a hurricane glass
  3. Garnish with pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry
• History:
  • Created in Puerto Rico in the 1950s
  • Became the national drink of Puerto Rico in 1978

Unique Mixes

Blue Lagoon

• Ingredients:
  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1 oz blue curaçao
  • 4 oz lemonade
  • Lemon wheel and maraschino cherry for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Fill a highball glass with ice cubes
  2. Add vodka and blue curaçao
  3. Top with lemonade and stir gently
  4. Garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry

Black Forest Cake

• Ingredients:
  • 1 1/2 oz vodka
  • 1/2 oz Chambord
  • 1 1/2 oz half & half cream
  • 1/2 oz crème de cacao
  • Chocolate shavings for garnish
• Preparation:
  1. Fill the shaker with ice cubes
  2. Add all ingredients
  3. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass
  4. Garnish with chocolate shavings

Shot-Style Drinks

B-52

• Ingredients:
  • 1/3 oz Kahlúa
  • 1/3 oz Baileys Irish Cream
  • 1/3 oz Grand Marnier
• Preparation:
  1. Layer ingredients in a shot glass in the order listed
  2. Serve immediately
• Serving Note:
  • Sometimes served as a flaming shot, but this can be dangerous and is not recommended for inexperienced bartenders or home preparation

Classic Cocktails: Conclusion

These 15 classic cocktails represent a diverse range of flavours, ingredients, and preparation methods. From the simplicity of a Negroni to the complexity of a Long Island Iced Tea, each drink has its unique history and appeal. Whether you’re a seasoned mixologist or a curious beginner, exploring these timeless recipes can enhance your appreciation for the art of cocktail making.

Remember always to drink responsibly and enjoy these cocktails in moderation. If you’re particularly interested in whiskey-based drinks, you might want to explore more about Irish whiskey cocktails or dive deeper into the world of American whiskey. For those who prefer a non-alcoholic option, consider trying some mocktail variations of these classic recipes.