These are some of the most popular drinks a bartender should know! Whether a seasoned veteran or just starting the incredible journey of bartending, dive right in and start mixing and crafting!
1. Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary is a versatile cocktail renowned for its hangover-curing properties. Originating in the 1920s or 1930s, it has a rich history with various origin stories, including one linking it to Queen Mary I of England. The cocktail’s savory blend of spices and flavors makes it a brunch favorite.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml Vodka
- 90 ml Tomato Juice
- 15 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
- 2 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
- Tabasco, Celery Salt, Pepper (to taste)
Method: Stir all the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and pour into a rocks glass. If served with ice, pour into a highball glass.
Garnish: Celery, Lemon Wedge (optional)
2. Ramos Fizz
The Ramos Fizz, also known as the Ramos Gin Fizz, is a historical cocktail from New Orleans, created by Henry C. Ramos in 1888. This drink is famous for its creamy texture and the unique addition of orange flower water, giving it a delicate and fragrant profile.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml Gin
- 15 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
- 15 ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 30 ml Simple Syrup
- 60 ml Cream
- 1 Egg White
- 3 drops Orange Flower Water
- Soda Water
Method: Shake all ingredients except soda water without ice for 10 seconds. Add ice and shake again for 1 minute. Strain into a highball glass without ice and top with soda water.
Garnish: None
3. French 75
The French 75 is an elegant cocktail that dates back to World War I, named after the powerful French 75mm field gun. This cocktail combines the sophistication of champagne with the zesty punch of gin and lemon, making it a favorite for celebratory occasions.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml Gin
- 15 ml Lemon Juice
- 15 ml Simple Syrup
- Champagne
Method: Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a champagne flute and top with champagne.
Garnish: Lemon Twist
4. Piña Colada
The Piña Colada is a tropical classic that originated in Puerto Rico. Created in 1954 by bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero, this creamy, fruity cocktail embodies the essence of a Caribbean vacation with its blend of rum, pineapple, and coconut flavors.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml White Rum
- 90 ml Pineapple Juice
- 30 ml Coconut Cream
Method: Blend all ingredients with ice until smooth. Pour into a chilled glass.
Garnish: Pineapple Slice and Cherry
5. Cosmopolitan
Popularized by the TV show “Sex and the City,” the Cosmopolitan, or “Cosmo,” is a modern classic that originated in the 1980s. Its vibrant pink color and tart, citrusy flavor make it a glamorous choice for a night out.
Ingredients:
- 40 ml Vodka Citron
- 15 ml Cointreau
- 15 ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 30 ml Cranberry Juice
Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a large cocktail glass.
Garnish: Lemon Twist
6. Mai Tai
The Mai Tai is a cornerstone of tiki culture, created by Victor J. “Trader Vic” Bergeron in 1944. This rum-based cocktail features a complex mix of flavors, including lime, almond, and orange, transporting drinkers to a tropical paradise.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml White Rum
- 30 ml Dark Rum
- 15 ml Orange Curaçao
- 15 ml Lime Juice
- 15 ml Orgeat Syrup
Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
Garnish: Lime Shell and Mint Sprig
7. White Russian
The White Russian is a creamy, coffee-flavored cocktail that gained cult status from the 1998 film “The Big Lebowski.” This simple yet indulgent drink combines vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream, making it a comforting and satisfying choice.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml Vodka
- 30 ml Coffee Liqueur
- 30 ml Cream
Method: Build the vodka and coffee liqueur over ice in an old-fashioned glass. Float the cream on top and stir slowly.
Garnish: None
8. Bellini
The Bellini is a classic Italian cocktail made with Prosecco and peach purée, invented by Giuseppe Cipriani at Harry’s Bar in Venice in 1948. Its delicate and fruity flavor, along with its beautiful pink hue, make it a perfect choice for brunch or special occasions.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Fresh Peach Purée
- 4 oz Prosecco
Method: Pour peach purée into a chilled flute, add Prosecco, and stir gently.
Garnish: Peach Slice (optional)
9. Margarita
The Margarita is a beloved cocktail with Mexican roots, often enjoyed on warm, sunny days. Combining tequila, lime, and Cointreau, this tangy and refreshing drink is a staple in any bartender’s repertoire.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml Tequila
- 15 ml Cointreau
- 30 ml Lime Juice
Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice.
Garnish: Lime Wedge
10. Yellow Bird
The Yellow Bird is a vibrant and tropical cocktail, perfect for summer. Its combination of rum, Galliano, and citrus flavors make it a delightful drink that every bartender should master.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml White Rum
- 15 ml Galliano
- 15 ml Triple Sec
- 15 ml Lime Juice
Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a glass filled with ice.
Garnish: Lime Wedge
11. Sidecar
The Sidecar is a sophisticated cocktail with a history that traces back to the end of World War I. This drink, featuring cognac, triple sec, and lemon juice, offers a perfect balance of sweet and sour, making it a timeless classic.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Cognac
- 20 ml Triple Sec
- 20 ml Lemon Juice
Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish: Sugar Rim
12. French Martini
The French Martini is a chic and flavorful drink, popularized in the 1980s during the rise of the martini craze. Its combination of vodka, Chambord, and pineapple juice offers a sweet yet sophisticated flavor profile.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml Vodka
- 15 ml Chambord
- 15 ml Pineapple Juice
Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish: Raspberry
13. Tom Collins
The Tom Collins is a refreshing gin cocktail that became popular in the late 19th century. Named after a joke that went viral in 1874, this drink is known for its crisp, citrusy taste and effervescence.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml Gin
- 30 ml Lemon Juice
- 15 ml Simple Syrup
- Soda Water
Method: Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with soda water.
Garnish: Lemon Slice and Cherry
14. Gimlet
A Gimlet is a classic cocktail with a storied history, dating back to the late 19th century. Originally used by sailors to prevent scurvy, this drink combines gin with lime juice for a simple, refreshing, and zesty flavor.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml Gin
- 15 ml Lime Juice Cordial
Method: Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish: Lime Wheel
15. Daiquiri
The Daiquiri, a cocktail with roots in Cuba, is one of the most versatile and refreshing drinks every bartender should know. Its combination of rum, lime, and sugar provides a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml White Rum
- 20 ml Fresh Lime Juice
- 2 Bar Spoons Superfine Sugar
Method: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish: None
16. Paloma
The Paloma is a refreshing Mexican cocktail that is a perfect alternative to the Margarita. Made with tequila and grapefruit soda, this drink offers a light and tangy flavor that is perfect for warm weather.
Ingredients:
- 60 ml Tequila
- 90 ml Grapefruit Soda
- 15 ml Lime Juice
Method: Build all ingredients in a glass filled with ice and stir gently.
Garnish: Lime Wedge
17. Manhattan
The Manhattan is a sophisticated cocktail that dates back to the 19th century. Made with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, this drink is known for its smooth, balanced, and slightly sweet flavor.
Ingredients:
- 50 ml Rye Whiskey
- 20 ml Sweet Vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Method: Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish: Cherry
18. Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is a refreshing cocktail known for its signature copper mug. Created in the 1940s, this drink combines vodka, ginger beer, and lime, making it a spicy and invigorating choice.
Ingredients:
- 45 ml Vodka
- 120 ml Ginger Beer
- 10 ml Lime Juice
Method: Build vodka and lime juice in a copper mug filled with ice. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
Garnish: Lime Wheel
19. Long Island Iced Tea
The Long Island Iced Tea is a potent and popular cocktail that dates back to the 1970s. Combining multiple spirits with a splash of cola, this drink packs a punch while resembling a traditional iced tea.
Ingredients:
- 15 ml Vodka
- 15 ml Tequila
- 15 ml White Rum
- 15 ml Gin
- 15 ml Triple Sec
- 30 ml Lemon Juice
- 30 ml Simple Syrup
- Splash of Cola
Method: Shake all ingredients except cola with ice and strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with a splash of cola.
Garnish: Lemon Wedge
20. Negroni
The Negroni is a classic Italian aperitif that has become a staple in the cocktail world. Created in the early 20th century, this drink combines gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth for a bitter yet balanced flavor profile.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml Gin
- 30 ml Campari
- 30 ml Sweet Vermouth
Method: Stir all ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Garnish: Orange Twist
