Classic cocktails

Established cocktails with measured specs, the method that suits each one, and practical swaps.

• 20th Century Cocktail RecipeThe 20th Century shakes gin, Lillet Blanc, white crème de cacao and lemon into a dry sour with a cocoa finish. Spec, cacao tips and balance fixes.
• Amaretto Sour Recipe (With a Bourbon Boost)A brighter amaretto sour: almond liqueur stiffened with high-proof bourbon, fresh lemon and a silky egg white foam. Specs, dry shake method and fixes.
• Americano Cocktail RecipeThe Americano is Campari and sweet vermouth lengthened with soda over ice: a low-proof, bittersweet aperitivo built in the glass.
• Aperol Spritz Recipe (3-2-1 Ratio)An Aperol spritz built with the 3-2-1 ratio of prosecco, Aperol and soda over lots of ice. Exact pours, build order, garnish and how to keep it fizzy.
• Aviation Cocktail RecipeThe Aviation is gin, maraschino, a touch of crème de violette and lemon, shaken to a pale sky-blue. Balance the violet so it reads floral, not soapy.
• Bee's Knees Cocktail RecipeThe Bee's Knees is gin, lemon and honey syrup shaken cold. Learn to make honey syrup that mixes, pick a honey and balance the sour for your gin.
• Bijou Cocktail RecipeEqual parts gin, green Chartreuse and sweet vermouth, stirred with orange bitters. Learn the Bijou spec, how to tame the herbal heat, and smart swaps.
• Boulevardier RecipeA Boulevardier swaps the Negroni's gin for bourbon, making a rounder, warmer stirred drink. Ratio choices, garnish, swaps and fixes inside.
• Bramble Cocktail RecipeThe Bramble is a gin sour over crushed ice with blackberry liqueur bled through the top. Spec, crushed-ice method, the drizzle and good liqueur swaps.
• Brandy Alexander RecipeShake cognac, dark crème de cacao and cream into a rich Brandy Alexander finished with fresh nutmeg. Spec, ingredient choices, fixes and variations.
• Brown Derby Cocktail RecipeA bright bourbon sour made with fresh grapefruit and honey syrup, served up. Learn the classic ratio, which grapefruit to buy and how to balance it.
• Caipirinha RecipeBrazil's national cocktail: lime wedges muddled with sugar, then cachaça and cracked ice. Learn the muddling technique, ratio and how to avoid bitterness.
• Classic Bloody Mary RecipeA savory vodka Bloody Mary seasoned with horseradish, Worcestershire, lemon and hot sauce, rolled not shaken. Full spec, seasoning ratios and fixes.
• Classic Daiquiri RecipeA classic daiquiri is white rum, fresh lime and sugar, shaken hard and served up. Exact specs, the shake that matters, swaps and fixes.
• Classic Dry Martini RecipeA dry martini is gin and dry vermouth stirred ice cold. Choose your ratio from 5:1 to 2:1, pick a garnish, and avoid a warm or watery drink.
• Classic Margarita RecipeA balanced margarita of blanco tequila, fresh lime and orange liqueur. Exact specs, how to salt half the rim, and how to fix a sour or sweet drink.
• Classic Mojito RecipeA Cuban-style mojito with white rum, lime, mint and soda. How to press mint without shredding it, the right sugar amount, and how to keep it fizzy.
• Classic Negroni RecipeThe Negroni is gin, Campari and sweet vermouth in equal measure, stirred over ice. Get the 1:1:1 spec, the right dilution, swaps and fixes.
• Classic Red Sangria (Pitcher Recipe)Spanish-style red sangria for a pitcher: fruity red wine, brandy, orange liqueur and citrus, chilled to meld and topped with soda. Ratios, timing and fixes.
• Clover Club Cocktail RecipeThe Clover Club pairs gin and dry vermouth with lemon, raspberry syrup and egg white for a pink, foamy sour. Includes a quick raspberry syrup and dry shake steps.
• Corpse Reviver No. 2 RecipeEqual parts gin, orange liqueur, Lillet Blanc and lemon, shaken and poured into an absinthe-rinsed glass. Exact spec, rinse method and balance fixes.
• Cosmopolitan Cocktail RecipeA properly balanced Cosmopolitan: citrus vodka, orange liqueur, lime and a little cranberry, shaken pink and tart. Specs, garnish and fixes.
• Cuba Libre RecipeRum and cola with a generous squeeze of fresh lime and the spent shell dropped in. Why the lime matters, the right ratio and how to keep it fizzy.
• Dark 'n' Stormy RecipeDark Bermuda-style rum floated over spicy ginger beer and lime in a tall glass. A two-ingredient highball with build, ratio and ginger beer advice.
• Dirty Martini RecipeA dirty martini adds olive brine to gin or vodka and a little dry vermouth. Find the right brine amount, the best olives, and how to fix saltiness.
• El Presidente Cocktail RecipeCuban-style white rum stirred with blanc vermouth, orange curaçao and a touch of grenadine. Learn which vermouth to buy, the spec and fixes.
• Espresso Martini RecipeShake vodka, coffee liqueur and fresh espresso into a cold espresso martini with a dense tan foam. Ratios, shaking method, swaps and how to fix a flat top.
• French 75 RecipeGin, lemon and sugar shaken, then lengthened with cold Champagne in a flute. How to pour without foaming over, the gin-vs-cognac question, and fixes.
• Gin Fizz RecipeA gin fizz is a short, sharp gin sour topped with a splash of soda and no ice in the glass. Get the spec, the long shake and the optional egg white silver fizz.
• Gin Gimlet RecipeMake a gin gimlet two ways: the fresh lime and syrup sour, or the older cordial style. Specs for both, plus an easy homemade lime cordial.
• Gold Rush Cocktail RecipeBourbon, honey syrup and lemon, shaken and poured over one big cube. A simple honey whiskey sour with the right syrup ratio, swaps and quick fixes.
• Grasshopper Cocktail RecipeThe Grasshopper is green crème de menthe, white crème de cacao and cream shaken until pale and foamy. Equal-parts spec, shaking tips, swaps and fixes.
• Hanky Panky Cocktail RecipeThe Hanky Panky stirs gin and sweet vermouth with a small, bracing measure of Fernet-Branca. Spec, how much Fernet to use, and fixes for a bitter pour.
• Hemingway Daiquiri RecipeA Hemingway daiquiri adds grapefruit and maraschino liqueur to rum and lime. A balanced spec, why it uses little sugar, and how to adjust it.
• Hurricane Cocktail RecipeA New Orleans rum drink built on passion fruit, citrus and two rums, served tall over ice. A fresh-fruit spec without bottled red mix, plus tips.
• Irish Coffee with Floated CreamIrish coffee made the proper way: hot coffee, brown sugar and Irish whiskey under a cool layer of lightly whipped cream that floats. Spec, cream method and fixes.
• Jack Rose Cocktail RecipeApplejack shaken with fresh lemon and real pomegranate grenadine for a pink, tart apple brandy sour. Covers the spec, bottle choice and grenadine tips.
• Jungle Bird RecipeBlackstrap or dark rum with Campari, pineapple, lime and demerara syrup. A bitter tiki classic, with rum advice, the full spec and fixes.
• Kir Royale and Classic Kir RecipeMake a Kir with dry white wine or a Kir Royale with Champagne, each sweetened by a small pour of crème de cassis. Ratios, wine picks and fixes.
• Last Word Cocktail RecipeThe Last Word shakes gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino and lime in equal parts into a sharp, herbal sour. Spec, shake and how to fix an unbalanced pour.
• Lemon Drop Martini RecipeA lemon drop is vodka, fresh lemon, orange liqueur and sugar, shaken and served in a sugar-rimmed glass. Balanced specs and rim technique.
• Long Island Iced Tea RecipeA balanced Long Island iced tea: five spirits in small, equal pours with fresh lemon, a little syrup and a splash of cola. Spec, method, strength and fixes.
• Mai Tai RecipeThe Trader Vic-style Mai Tai: aged rums, fresh lime, orange curaçao and orgeat, shaken with crushed ice. Get the spec, rum choices and common mistakes.
• Manhattan Cocktail RecipeA Manhattan is rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and Angostura, stirred and served up with a cherry. The 2:1 spec, dilution cues, and common fixes.
• Martinez Cocktail RecipeThe Martinez stirs Old Tom gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino and orange bitters into a rich, martini-style classic. Spec, gin choice and fixes for sweetness.
• Mary Pickford Cocktail RecipeWhite rum shaken with pineapple juice, maraschino liqueur and grenadine for a pale pink, frothy classic. The spec, juice tips and balance fixes.
• Michelada RecipeA Mexican michelada: cold lager with lime, hot sauce, Maggi or Worcestershire and a chile-salt rim. Seasoning amounts, build order, swaps and fixes.
• Mimosa Recipe for BrunchA mimosa is chilled sparkling wine and orange juice. Learn the right juice-to-wine ratio, which bubbles to buy, the pour that keeps fizz, and fixes.
• Mint Julep RecipeA bourbon mint julep built over finely crushed ice with gentle mint and a lavish sprig garnish. Covers the frosty cup, the mint, the sugar and common fixes.
• Moscow Mule RecipeVodka, fresh lime and spicy ginger beer over ice in a lined copper mug. Learn the ratio, how to pick a ginger beer, and safe copper mug use.
• Naked and Famous Cocktail RecipeMezcal, Aperol, yellow Chartreuse and lime in equal measures for a smoky, bittersweet sour. Exact spec, mezcal choice and how to fix the balance.
• Negroni Sbagliato RecipeA Negroni Sbagliato replaces gin with dry sparkling wine. Learn the build, how much prosecco to pour, and how to keep the bubbles lively.
• Old Fashioned Cocktail RecipeAn Old Fashioned is whiskey, a touch of sugar, bitters and orange oil over one big cube. Specs, sugar cube vs syrup, and how to stir it right.
• Painkiller Cocktail RecipeNavy-style rum, pineapple, orange and cream of coconut, shaken and dusted with fresh nutmeg. Learn the 4:1:1 spec, what coconut to buy and tips.
• Paloma Cocktail RecipeA Paloma is tequila, lime and grapefruit, with a pinch of salt and fizz. Make it with grapefruit soda or fresh juice, plus swaps and fixes.
• Paper Plane Cocktail RecipeBourbon, Aperol, amaro and lemon in four equal measures, shaken and served up. Get the exact spec, why Amaro Nonino matters, and fixes for bitterness.
• Pegu Club Cocktail RecipeThe Pegu Club is gin, orange curaçao, lime and two kinds of bitters shaken into a dry, orange-scented sour. Get the spec, the curaçao choice and fixes.
• Penicillin Cocktail RecipeBlended Scotch shaken with lemon and a fiery honey-ginger syrup, then crowned with peaty Islay whisky. Includes the syrup method, spec and fixes.
• Pimm's Cup RecipeA British Pimm's Cup made with Pimm's No. 1, sparkling lemonade, cucumber, strawberry, orange and mint. Glass and pitcher amounts, swaps and fixes.
• Piña Colada RecipeRum, pineapple and cream of coconut, blended until frosty or shaken over ice. Includes both methods, the best ratio, ingredient tips and fixes.
• Pisco Sour RecipeMake a Peruvian-style pisco sour with pisco, lime, sugar and egg white, finished with bitters on the foam. Specs, technique and egg safety.
• Ramos Gin Fizz RecipeThe Ramos gin fizz whips gin, two citruses, cream, egg white and orange flower water into a tall, stiff foam. Full spec, shaking plan and foam fixes.
• Rob Roy RecipeThe Rob Roy is a Manhattan made with Scotch. Learn which Scotch to choose, the 2:1 vermouth ratio, garnish options and how to keep it balanced.
• Rusty Nail RecipeThe Rusty Nail is blended Scotch and Drambuie stirred over a big cube with a lemon twist. Ratio options, which Scotch to choose, swaps and fixes.
• Sazerac RecipeA rye Sazerac stirred with sugar and Peychaud's bitters, served in an absinthe-rinsed glass with an expressed lemon peel. Two-glass method and fixes.
• Sidecar Cocktail RecipeThe Sidecar shakes cognac, orange liqueur and lemon into a dry, elegant sour. Choose a ratio, decide on the sugar rim, and fix a drink that is too tart.
• Singapore Sling RecipeGin, cherry liqueur, Bénédictine, Cointreau, pineapple, lime and grenadine, shaken tall. The Raffles-style spec, history caveats and tips.
• Southside Cocktail RecipeA Southside is gin, lime, sugar and fresh mint shaken and served up. How to bruise mint without bitterness, lemon vs lime, and the tall fizz version.
• Stinger Cocktail RecipeThe Stinger pairs cognac with white crème de menthe for a cool, strong after-dinner drink. Ratio choices, stirred versus shaken, swaps and fixes.
• Tequila Sunrise RecipeA layered tequila sunrise with blanco tequila, orange juice and grenadine that sinks into a red-to-gold gradient. Pour technique, grenadine tips and fixes.
• Tom Collins RecipeA Tom Collins is gin, lemon and sugar lengthened with soda in a tall glass of ice. Learn the build, how much soda to add, and how to keep it fizzy.
• Tommy's Margarita RecipeTommy's margarita is tequila, lime and agave syrup with no orange liqueur. Learn the 4:2:1 spec, how to dilute agave, and how to keep it bright.
• Vesper Martini RecipeThe Vesper combines gin, vodka and an aromatized wine, shaken and served with lemon peel. The 3:1:½ ratio, what to use instead of Kina Lillet.
• Vieux Carré RecipeThe Vieux Carré stirs rye, cognac, sweet vermouth, Bénédictine and two bitters into a rich New Orleans classic. Spec, stir time and smart swaps.
• Whiskey Sour RecipeA whiskey sour with bourbon, lemon and sugar, with or without egg white. Dry-shake method, safe egg choices, specs, and fixes for flat foam.
• White Russian Recipe (and the Black Russian)Build a White Russian with vodka, coffee liqueur and a float of cream, or skip the cream for a Black Russian. Proportions, cream choices and fixes.
• Zombie Cocktail RecipeDonn Beach's potent three-rum Zombie with lime, falernum, grapefruit-cinnamon mix and a touch of absinthe. Full spec, prep notes and strength warning.

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