Get the Party Started with America’s Favorite Cocktails!
Wondering which cocktails make every happy hour a little brighter? Let’s see the top drinks that can’t be missed from a cocktail event!
You might be in the mood for something sweet, fruity, or bold and spicy. These classics are going to hit the spot. The beauty is that all of them are made with simple recipes and a little flavor to get your taste buds excited, so you can whip these up at home the next time you’re hosting or at your next cocktail party. Let the good times roll!
1. Margarita
A fan favorite both in Mexico, where it’s originally from, and in America, Margarita is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. The classic version mixes smooth tequila with citrus zing, and it’s usually served in a chilled glass with an extra kick of salted rim. If you’re not a fan of the sour, no worries! There are many fruity twists on this iconic drink, and they will totally satisfy your desire for sweetness.
To make a classic Margarita, you need to start by salting the rim of your glass. The hack here is to rub a lime along the rim so the salt can stick. Grab your cocktail shaker next and shake up the ingredients until the outside is frosty. Pour it into your glass and garnish with a fresh lime wedge. Cheers to the margarita in all its glory!
Ingredients:
- Coarse salt (for the rim of the glass)
- Ice cubes
- 1 part silver tequila
- ½ part triple sec liqueur
- 1 freshly squeezed lime
- 1 lime wedge (for garnish)
2. Cosmopolitan
A fusion of cranberry, lime juice, triple sec, and vodka, Cosmopolitan can easily be Margarita’s sophisticated cousin. Trading tequila for vodka with a splash of cranberry juice, this drink is the perfect balance of sweet and sour.
If you want to make it at home, toss all the ingredients into a shaker, add ice, and give it a shake until the outside gets frosty. Strain it into a martini glass for the perfect touch.
Ingredients:
- 1 part vodka
- ½ part triple sec
- ½ part cranberry juice
- 1 freshly squeezed lime
- Ice cubes
- Orange peel (for garnish)
3. Old-fashioned
If you truly appreciate whiskey, the Old Fashioned is a timeless classic. It’s made by muddling sugar and a generous pour of whiskey. This drink really let the whiskey shine, being a simple and satisfying cocktail usually served on the rocks in a lowball glass. Whiskey lovers swear by it, but even if you’re not a real fan, it’s a must-try at least once.
How to make it perfect Muddle the syrup or the sugar cube, water, and bitters in a decorative tumbler and let the flavors blend for a minute. Next, pour the whiskey and stir for another minute, add ice, and finish with a slice of orange as the perfect garnish.
Ingredients:
- 1 sugar cube or 2 teaspoons sugar syrup
- 1 teaspoon water
- 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 60 ml whiskey (Bourbon or Rye)
- Ice cubes
- 1 orange slice
4. Negroni
A true Italian classic, a symbol of style, Negroni is perfect for people who enjoy bitters, vermouth, and gin on their own. With this drink, you get to experience them all in a smooth, balanced mix. Usually served in a simple tumbler, this bright red beauty is often used as an aperitif, but it’s perfect anytime. The trick is stirring equal parts sweet vermouth (like Martini Rosso), Campari, and gin to create a perfectly bittersweet sip that’s best enjoyed on the rocks. The simple ingredients and presentation may make you think it’s ok to have many but take it slow. It’s the kind of drink that sneaks up on you!
Ingredients:
- 1 part sweet vermouth (Martini Rosso or Cinzano)
- 1 part Campari (for that authentic Negroni taste)
- 1 part gin
- Ice cubes
- Orange peel (for garnish)
5. Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini is a dream drink for all the coffee lovers. With a mix of coffee liqueur, espresso, and vodka, this cocktail serves as the perfect blend of caffeine and kick. Whether it’s your brunch-time boost or your after-dinner pick-me-up, it’s the drink that combines the passion for coffee with a little extra something.
If you want to make your own, simply mix vodka, syrup, coffee liqueur, and espresso and strain it into a chilled martini glass.
Ingredients:
- 40 ml vodka
- 20 ml coffee liqueur (Kahlua works wonders)
- 20 ml of freshly brewed espresso coffee
- 10 ml simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- 3 coffee beans for garnish
6. Long Island Iced Tea
Don’t get fooled by the “tea” term. (There is no actual tea in this drink.) What you get is a powerhouse of rum, tequila, vodka, gin, and triple sec—all equal parts of the good stuff. This cocktail tastes like a citrusy Coca-Cola. Refreshing? Definitely, but not your usual iced tea. Also, definitely not for the faint of heart!
Making this at home is a breeze. All you need to do is throw the vodka, gin, tequila, rum, triple sec, and lime juice into a shaker, shake it until it blends with the ice, and pour it into a hurricane glass (or a highball). You can top it off with Coca-Cola, give it a stir, add lime, a straw, and you got yourself a classic!
Ingredients:
- 1 part vodka
- 1 part dry gin
- 1 part tequila
- 1 part rum
- 1 part triple sec
- ½ part Coca-Cola
- 1-2 parts fresh lime juice (or sour mix)
- Ice cubes
7. Mojito
Refreshing and cool, with just the right amount of sweetness, the Mojito is the ultimate summer drink! Originating in Cuba, this simple mix of ingredients can be found everywhere, but the real magic comes from the way it’s made.
The first step is to muddle lime, mint, and sugar with soda water, as it helps with releasing those minty flavors right into the glass. After, squeeze the lime, add the rum, and give it a stir. Top it off with soda water and crushed ice, and for an extra pop, you can garnish it with a sprig of mint.
Ingredients:
- 1 part white rum
- ½ part freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ part soda water
- 1 tsp sugar
- Fresh mint leaves
- 1 lime
- Crushed ice
8. Mai Tai
This iconic cocktail feels like a one-way ticket to the tropics. Legend says that the name Mai Tai comes from the first person who tried it and exclaimed, maita’i”, meaning “excellent” or “great” in Tahitian. And yes, it’s hard to argue with that when you taste it. The rich combination of rum and the mix of tropical fruit juices creates a perfectly balanced sweet and tart flavor that’s absolutely delicious.
To make it at home, shake all the ingredients and pour it into a double rocks glass or a fun tiki glass if you have one.
Ingredients:
- 1 part white rum
- 1 part gold or dark rum
- ½ part triple sec or orange curaçao
- 1 part fresh lime juice
- ½ part pineapple juice
- ½ part orange juice
½ part orgeat or almond syrup - 1 dash grenadine
- Ice cubes
- Lime slice, cherry, or pineapple for garnish
For the best cocktails at home, you can order this kit on Amazon: Cocktail Shaker Set Bartender Kit. It has amazing reviews and people seem to have a lot of fun while preparing them.
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PS: Don’t forget to let us know which one is your favorite (and if your favorite is not even on the list, please, don’t gatekeep it!)
