While preparing for your next big soirée, you might be intimidated by making a list of all the spirits and mixers you will need. There are a limitless number of drink recipes out there that need a wide variety of ingredients, but there are some drinks that have become classics that everyone should know. We’ve compiled a list of the 7 drinks we think every person should know how to make, so you’re prepared for your next big party, along with the perfect bottle to take your cocktail from fine to divine.
Manhattan
One of the most popular drinks of all time, the legend is this drink was created around 1880 in New York City’s Manhatten Club, per Liquor.Com. The drink is simple with only four ingredients, but you can also incorporate a twist of an orange peel for its oils.
- 2 ounces rye or bourbon whiskey (try Weller Green)
- 1-ounce Sweet Vermouth
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 1 dash of orange bitters
- 1 Brandied Cherry for garnish
- Optional: 1 orange twist
Add ingredients to a mixing glass with ice, then strain into a chilled glass, garnish with a cherry. If using the orange peel, twist over the drink’s surface then throw the peel away.
Bourbon Old-Fashioned
The drink that keeps coming back into style is the Old Fashioned. As more drinkers embrace the craft cocktail movement, this is a beverage you’ll want to make sure you know how to create.
- 2 ounces rye or bourbon whiskey (try Buffalo Trace)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (or 1 sugar cube)
- 1 teaspoon water
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Orange peel and 2 cherries for garnish
Add sugar, bitters, and warm water to a rocks glass and mix till sugar is dissolved. Add ice then pour in whiskey and stir to mix. Express orange peel along the rim of the glass then drop in the drink along with the 2 cherries.
Añejo Old-Fashioned
A delicious twist on a classic cocktail, using añejo tequila in your Old Fashioned gives you the rich oak flavors similar to the bourbon or whiskey traditionally used in this drink. If you have tequila lovers coming to your next gathering, make sure you have them try this Southwestern variation.
- 3 ounces añejo tequila (try Codigo Añejo)
- ½ ounce agave syrup
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Orange peel
Add tequila, agave syrup, and bitters into a cocktail shaker with ice and stir into chilled. Express orange peel along the rim of a rocks glass filled with large ice cubes then strain the drink into the glass. Toss in orange peel for garnish.
Margarita
A drink we all know and love, especially living in the Southwest. The margarita is a drink that tastes delicious and served the classic way, or you can incorporate different ingredients to truly make it your own.
- 2 ounces tequila (try Rosa Codigo)
- ½ ounce orange liqueur (try Cointreau)
- ½ ounce agave syrup
- 1-ounce fresh lime juice
- Lime wedge and salt for garnish
Take the serving glass a dip rim into lime juice, then roll the glass rim in fresh salt. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and agave syrup and shake till well mixed. Strain and pour the drink into the salt-rimmed serving glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Classic Martini
While known as a classic cocktail, there are plenty of different ways to make a martini, and everyone has their own favorite recipe. Learn to make the classic martini, then find out from your guests just the way they like it.
- 2 ½ ounces vodka or gin (try Grey Goose)
- ½ ounce dry vermouth (try Carpano Dry Vermouth)
- 1 or 2 dashes of orange bitters
- Lemon twist for garnish
Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and stir together until cold. Strain the drink into a chilled martini glass and garnish with the lemon twist.
Cosmopolitan
Your party guests will be able to release their inner Carrie Bradshaw after you make them a Cosmopolitan, the drink made famous from the HBO hit “Sex and the City”.
- 1 ½ ounces vodka (try Titos Vodka)
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur (try Cointreau)
- ½ ounce lime juice
- ¾ ounce cranberry juice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Add ingredients into a chilled cocktail shaker and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with the lime wedge.
Cupa Libre
This drink has 3 simple ingredients but the tropical flavors of the rum, the tart taste of the lime, and the sweet flavor of the cola blend beautifully together. The Cupa Libre is a great drink for any time of year, but especially during the hot summer months.
- 2 ounces rum (try Ron Zacapa)
- 4 ounces of cola
- ½ freshly squeezed lime juice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Pour the lime juice into a highball glass, add ice, then pour in rum and cola. Stir with a spoon then garnish with lime wedge.