Top 10 Classic Cocktails to Kickstart Your Weekend

Friday has arrived, and what better way to usher in the weekend than with a tantalizing cocktail? As a cocktail enthusiast with countless messy cocktail evenings under my belt, I’m excited to share my personal list of the top 10 classic cocktails, each accompanied by the best version of their recipe. These recipes are inspired by my own experiences in impressive cocktail bars and my education in mixology, particularly from the timeless work of David A. Embury, the author of “The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks.” If you’re passionate about cocktails, I can’t recommend this book enough—it’s truly unparalleled in its depth and insight. However, be prepared for the hunt, as copies are often found for no less than $200! Currently, lucky readers can grab used copies on Amazon for $120 and $161, both in good condition. Be sure to snag them while you can!

Before we dive into the cocktails, let’s make sure you’re well-equipped. Aside from a selection of glasses, you’ll need a few essential tools: a muddler (for squashing fruits), a cocktail shaker (a large lidded jar can work in a pinch!), a tall glass, a stirrer, and a strainer. Here’s what they generally look like:

Now, let’s shake things up with my list of the top 10 classic cocktails!

1. Margarita

Ingredients:

2 oz Tequila
1 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
1 oz Fresh lime juice
Salt for rimming

Instructions: Rim your glass with salt. Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into the glass (on the rocks or neat, as you prefer). Garnish with a lime wedge.

2. Old Fashioned

Ingredients:

2 oz Bourbon or Rye whiskey
1 Sugar cube
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel

Instructions: Muddle the sugar cube and bitters in a glass. Add a large ice cube and whiskey, stirring until chilled. Express the oils from the orange peel over the drink before garnishing.

3. Mojito

Ingredients:

2 oz White rum
1 oz Fresh lime juice
2 tsp Sugar
6-8 Fresh mint leaves
Soda water

Instructions: Muddle mint leaves and sugar in a glass. Add lime juice and rum, then fill with ice. Top off with soda water and garnish with a mint sprig.

4. Manhattan

Ingredients:

2 oz Rye whiskey
1 oz Sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions: Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a cherry.

5. Daiquiri

Ingredients:

2 oz White rum
1 oz Fresh lime juice
3/4 oz Simple syrup

Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled glass. You can add fruit purees for a refreshing twist!

6. Whiskey Sour

Ingredients:

2 oz Bourbon
3/4 oz Fresh lemon juice
1/2 oz Simple syrup
Cherry and orange slice for garnish

Instructions: Shake ingredients with ice and strain into a glass. Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.

7. Negroni

Ingredients:

1 oz Gin
1 oz Campari
1 oz Sweet vermouth

Instructions: Stir ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with an orange twist.

8. Gin and Tonic

Ingredients:

2 oz Gin
4 oz Tonic water
Lime wedge for garnish

Instructions: Fill a glass with ice. Add gin and top with tonic. Garnish with a lime wedge.

9. Tom Collins

Ingredients:

2 oz Gin
1 oz Fresh lemon juice
1 oz Simple syrup
Soda water

Instructions: Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice and top with soda water. Garnish with a lemon slice and cherry.