Recipes Drinks Recipes Cocktail Recipes 10 Classic Cocktails By Carl Hanson Carl Hanson Carl Hanson is a Senior Editor at Allrecipes who has been writing about food and wine for nearly 20 years. He enjoys creating content that informs, entertains, and assists busy home cooks get nourishing meals on the table for their families. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on May 6, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo by Meredith. Meet the timeless standards of the cocktail playbook. Mix up these classic adult beverages for your next party or home happy hour. 01 of 11 Martini View Recipe The gin martini is the king of cocktails. A clear, classic, very strong cocktail. For such a simple cocktail (gin, vermouth), the martini isn't afraid to court a little controversy. What's the right amount of vermouth in a martini? Should you stir it or shake it? Can you make a martini with vodka? There's room for debate. But where does this 5-star martini recipe come down? The vermouth gets a relatively light touch and the cocktail a vigorous shaking. Serve chilled in (you guessed it) a martini glass. Find more Classic Gin Cocktails. 02 of 11 Manhattan View Recipe Like a whiskey martini but with a touch of sweetness, this bracing, 100-year-old cocktail can be made with bourbon or rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters. As home cook Big Steel says, "This one straddles the fence between sweet and smoky." Serve in a martini glass or a short tumbler — always chilled. Find more Classic Whiskey Cocktails. 03 of 11 Bloody Mary View Recipe Dilly Bloody Mary | Photo by France C. Often served at breakfast or brunch or in an airplane, the vodka Bloody Mary is easy to customize depending on how strong you like your drinks — and how much spice you can handle. Serve over ice in a tall glass with the vegetable garnish of your choice. Find more Classic Vodka Cocktails. 04 of 11 Margarita View Recipe Pictured: Spicy Mezcal Margarita. Allrecipes Magazine A sweet tequila-based party drink that's easy to make in batches. If you like, blend in some fruit for extra flavor. You can serve in special rounded margarita glasses or whatever's handy (serving in a mason jar is increasingly popular). Also, the Margarita has a pretty tremendous origin story. Find more Classic Tequila Cocktails. 05 of 11 Old Fashioned Cocktail View Recipe Old Fashioned Cocktail | Photo by Meredith. The original. A sophisticated cocktail that's simple to make and goes down smooth. The original version of this cocktail was simply water, sugar, bitters, and whatever booze was within reach, often brandy. With time, the water became ice, the booze became whiskey, and the drink became an old fashioned. Serve over ice in a short tumbler (also known as an Old Fashioned glass), garnished with maraschino cherries. 06 of 11 Mojito View Recipe CC<3's2bake A refreshing Cuban classic made with white rum and muddled fresh mint. Sweet and fruity on hot summer days. Serve over ice in a tall glass. Find more Classic Rum Cocktails. 07 of 11 Daiquiri View Recipe Classic Daiquiri | Photo by Allrecipes. This recipe is the original daiquiri. An easy rum and lime-juice cocktail shaken over lots of ice, like an island margarita. These days, the daiquiri is often combined with strawberries and spun into a delicious blender drink. Serve in a chilled martini or margarita glass. 08 of 11 Gin and Tonic View Recipe Photo by Meredith. The good 'ol G&T is a dead-simple summer drink, and another good reason to stay stocked up on fresh limes — see also the daiquiri above. Serve over ice in a short tumbler. Serious G&T lovers should try making their own homemade tonic. 09 of 11 Screwdriver View Recipe Photo by Meredith. Certainly the greatest toolbox-related tipple of all time, the screwdriver is also commonly called "vodka and orange juice," for reasons that will not confound. Typically served at breakfast or brunch in a tall glass over ice. 10 of 11 Gimlet View Recipe Meredith A classy Gin and sweetened lime juice (Rose's is the most common brand) cocktail. Like its cousin, the Gin Rickey, the gimlet is your ticket to warm-weather refreshment. Also sometimes made with vodka. Serve in a martini glass or short tumbler. Check out our collection of Cocktail Recipes. 11 of 11 Related Buckwheat Queen 17 Quick and Easy Cocktails for Your Home Happy Hour 20 Best 4-Ingredient Cocktails The Best Cocktails for Holiday Parties 12 Best Clean Cocktail Recipes Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit