15 Classic Cocktails Everyone Should Know

Thousands of cocktails exist, but a small group of classics shows up on nearly every bar menu in the world. Learn these 15 classic cocktails, and you'll understand most of the drinks you'll ever see. Many modern cocktails are just twists on them.

Spirit-Forward Classics

1. Old Fashioned

Whiskey, sugar, bitters, orange twist. The original cocktail. Strong, warm and simple. Recipe.

2. Martini

Gin (or vodka) and dry vermouth. Cold, clean and iconic. How to order one.

3. Manhattan

Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, bitters. Rich, smooth and slightly spicy. Recipe.

4. Negroni

Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth. Bitter, sweet and bold. Recipe.

Sours

5. Daiquiri

Rum, lime, sugar. The purest sour. Tart, bright and balanced. Recipe.

6. Margarita

Tequila, triple sec, lime. The world's favorite tequila drink. Recipe.

7. Whiskey Sour

Bourbon, lemon, sugar, optional egg white. Smooth and friendly. Recipe.

8. Sidecar

Cognac, orange liqueur, lemon. Elegant, citrusy and rich. Often served with a sugared rim. Shake 50 ml cognac, 20 ml triple sec and 20 ml lemon. Recipe.

9. Cosmopolitan

Citrus vodka, orange liqueur, lime, cranberry. Pink, tart and a 1990s icon. Recipe.

Tall and Refreshing

10. Mojito

Rum, lime, sugar, mint, soda. Cool and minty. Recipe.

11. Tom Collins

Gin, lemon, sugar, soda. A sparkling gin lemonade. Recipe.

12. Moscow Mule

Vodka, ginger beer, lime. Spicy and fizzy. Recipe.

Bubbly

13. French 75

Gin, lemon, sugar, Champagne. Festive and bright. Recipe.

14. Aperol Spritz

Prosecco, Aperol, soda. Light, bittersweet and perfect before dinner. Recipe.

Tiki

15. Mai Tai

Aged rum, lime, orange curaçao, orgeat. Nutty, tropical and rich. Recipe.

The Patterns Behind the Classics

Most classics fit into a few families. Know them, and you can guess what almost any drink on a menu will taste like:

Old Fashioned family: spirit + sugar + bitters. Strong and simple.
Martini and Manhattan family: spirit + vermouth. Stirred, smooth and strong.
Sour family: spirit + citrus + sweetener. Daiquiri, Margarita, Whiskey Sour, Sidecar.
Highball family: spirit + a fizzy mixer. Mojito, Tom Collins, Moscow Mule.
Sparkling family: a base topped with sparkling wine. French 75, Spritz.

For example, the Sidecar is a sour with orange liqueur. Swap cognac for tequila and you're close to a margarita. Swap it for gin and you get the White Lady.

Where to Start

New to cocktails? Start with these five. They cover every main style:

Daiquiri: sour
Old Fashioned: spirit-forward
Negroni: bitter
Mojito: tall and fresh
French 75: bubbly

You can make all of them with a few bottles. See home bar essentials.

Classic Cocktails FAQ

What is the most popular cocktail in the world? It changes by year and country, but the Margarita, Old Fashioned, Negroni, Espresso Martini and Mojito are always near the top of bar sales lists.

What makes a cocktail a "classic"? It has stayed popular for decades, has a fairly set recipe, and is known by bartenders everywhere.

What's the oldest classic cocktail? The Old Fashioned follows the earliest known definition of a cocktail from the early 1800s: spirit, sugar, water and bitters.