Who doesn’t love a good cocktail? If you’re looking to impress guests at your next party, or you just want to improve your home bartending, start by mastering these top 10 cocktails.
From Margaritas and Manhattans to Mojitos and Martinis, there’s something for every taste on this list of the top 10 cocktails you should know to make at home.
So, get ready to stir, shake, and pour your way to cocktail mastery!
1. Margarita
The Margarita is quite possibly the most popular and well-loved of any classic cocktail. Made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, it’s refreshing and flavorful – perfect for any occasion.
For a classic Margarita, just shake the ingredients over ice, and pour into an ice-filled glass with a salted rim. For frozen Margaritas, combine the ingredients with ice in a blender, and blend until smooth.
2. Manhattan
The Manhattan is another classic drink that’s perfect for any occasion. Made with bourbon, sweet vermouth, and bitters, it’s a smooth and flavorful cocktail that’s perfect for sipping.
To make this cocktail, just combine the ingredient over ice in a shaker, stir, and strain into a glass. If you’re looking to add a little something extra to your Manhattan, try using a flavored bourbon like peach or cherry.
3. Mojito
The Mojito is a refreshing Cuban cocktail made with rum, lime juice, soda water, sugar, and mint. It’s perfect for summertime sipping and is sure to refresh you on a hot day.
To make a Mojito, simply muddle the mint leaves with sugar and lime juice, then add rum and soda water. Give it a quick stir and garnish with a mint sprig and lime wedge.
4. Pornstar Martini
The Pornstar Martini is a fun and fruity cocktail that’s perfect for parties. It’s made with vodka, passion fruit puree, vanilla syrup, and pineapple.
To make this drink, muddle the pineapple piece in your shaker, then add vodka, vanilla syrup, and passion fruit puree. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with passion fruit and serve cold.
5. Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan is a popular girls-night-out cocktail that’s made with vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and Cointreau or triple sec. It’s a fruity and refreshing drink choice
To make a Cosmopolitan, simply shake all of the ingredients together with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with lemon or lime peel, if desired.
6. Martini
The Martini is one of the most well-known classic cocktails, made with gin and dry vermouth. It’s a simple yet elegant drink that almost everyone can sip and enjoy.
To make a Martini, simply stir the gin and dry vermouth together with ice until chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with an olive or lemon twist.
7. Espresso Martini
This drink is a delicious and energizing cocktail that’s perfect for after dinner. It’s made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso.
To make an Espresso Martini, combine all of the ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. Serve cold with a coffee bean garnish.
8. Old Fashioned
This is a classic whiskey cocktail that’s popular for a reason – it’s delicious! It’s made with bourbon, sugar, bitters, and just a touch of water.
To make an Old Fashioned, combine the sugar and bitters in a glass, add a splash of water, then stir to dissolve. Add bourbon and ice and stir again until chilled. Garnish with orange peel and a cherry.
9. Tom Collins
The Tom Collins is a light, refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for summertime. It’s made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water.
To prepare this drink, get a highball glass and mix your gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice together. Add ice cubes to this mix and fill up with soda water. Garnish with a slice of lemon and serve.
10. Daiquiri
The classic Daiquiri is a sweet and refreshing Cuban cocktail that’s made with light rum, lime juice, and sugar or simple syrup. It’s a simple drink that’s perfect for various occasions.
To make a Daiquiri, simply shake all of the ingredients together with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve. Want to get even fancier? Try this gorgeous Frozen Strawberry Mango Daquiri recipe!
There you have it – the top 10 cocktails that every cocktail-lover should know how to make. The next time you’re looking for something to sip on, why not try one of these iconic cocktails?
Just make sure to measure carefully, shake thoroughly, and use quality ingredients to make your cocktails. That way, you’ll always end up with a delicious and refreshing drink. Cheers!