Want to learn the classics? As two cocktail experts and certified mixologists, here’s our master list of classic cocktails to make, carefully selected from the best of the best. Try each one and you’ll get the full gamut of drinks that helped to form today’s cocktail culture! Many of these mixed drinks date back to the 1920s, but you’ll find some even older (like the Old Fashioned and Whiskey Sour). This list includes the best iconic cocktails based on spirit, with related cocktails listed below it. For example, you’ll see classic:
Gin cocktails like the Gin Fizz, Tom Collins and Gimlet Vodka cocktails like the Moscow Mule and White Russian Whiskey cocktails and bourbon cocktails like the Whiskey Sour and Old Fashioned Rum cocktails like the Mojito and Daiquiri Tequila cocktails like the Margarita and Paloma, and so many more!
Also, our list of the top 50 Popular Cocktails includes many of the classics. These drinks are ranked in order of trending internet searches.
And now… the top classic cocktails to try!
Major classic cocktail families
Each of these classics falls into a cocktail family. There’s no definite definition of cocktail families; many authors have written books attempting to define exactly what constitutes each. (See this post on Cocktail Families and Formulas for more.) Here are the major cocktail families we’ve found encompass most of the popular classic cocktails: Related Cocktails: New York Sour, Amaretto Sour, Vodka Sour, Tequila Sour, Pisco Sour Related Cocktails: Mezcal Margarita, Jalapeño Margarita, Skinny Margarita, Cadillac Margarita, Paloma Related Cocktails: Hemingway Daiquiri, Strawberry Daiquiri, Lime Frozen Daiquiri Related Cocktails: Tom Collins, Southside, Bees Knees, Gin Sour, Clover Club Related Cocktails: Mexican Mule, Watermelon Mule, Cider Mule, Mezcal Mule, Kentucky Mule, Gin Gin Mule, Dark and Stormy Related Cocktails: Classic Mint Julep, Caipirinha, Southside Cocktail, Classic Daiquiri Related Cocktails: Vodka Gimlet, French Gimlet, Basil Gimlet Related Cocktails: Vodka Sidecar, Bourbon Sidecar, White Lady, Between the Sheets, Corpse Reviver Related Cocktails: Sazerac Related Cocktails: Boulevardier, Old Pal, Americano, Mezcal Negroni, or Negroni Sbagliato Related Cocktails: Dirty Martini, Vesper Martini, Cucumber Martini, Pomegranate Martini, Watermelon Martini, Espresso Martini, French Martini Related Cocktails: Southside Fizz Related Cocktails: The Classic Champagne Cocktail Related Cocktails: Americano, Amaro Spritz, Campari Spritz Related Cocktails: Margarita, Sidecar, Gin Sour Related Cocktails: Vodka Tonic, Whiskey Tonic Related Cocktails: Chi Chi, Painkiller
Sour cocktails: Mixed drinks made of liquor, citrus, and sweetener. Includes Whiskey Sour, Margarita, Gimlet, Daiquiri, Sidecar. Spirit-forward cocktails: Cocktails made only of liquor with no non-alcoholic mixers. Includes Manhattan, Old Fashioned, Sazerac, Martini. Highball cocktails: Cocktails that use base alcohol and a larger percentage of mixer, like fruit juice or soda water. Includes Tom Collins, Moscow Mule, Americano, Gin and Tonic. Champagne cocktails: Cocktails that use champagne. Includes French 75, Champagne Cocktail. Spritzes: Cocktails with a mixer, soda water and champagne. Includes Aperol Spritz.
Drinks by season & occasion
More ways to select drinks: by season and occassion! Browse our lists: No reviews
Fall Drinks Winter Drinks Holiday Drinks Summer Cocktails Brunch Drinks Frozen Alcoholic Drinks
More cocktail recipes
Outside of these popular classic cocktails, there are so many great cocktail recipes to try. In fact, we’ve got over 200 recipes for popular mixed drinks! Here are some of our best cocktail collections:
By liquor: Try Cognac Cocktails, Grand Marnier Cocktails, Campari Cocktails, Vermouth Cocktails, Champagne Cocktails, Amaretto Cocktails, Wine Cocktails, St Germain Cocktails, and Cointreau Cocktails. Fresh ingredients: Try these Mint Cocktails, Orange Juice Cocktails, Grapefruit Cocktails, Cranberry Cocktails, Ginger Beer Cocktails, Coffee Cocktails, Lime Cocktails, and Lemon Cocktails.
