Classic Cocktail Recipes to Master

Every cocktail lover needs a core set of recipes that never go out of style. These classic cocktails highlight foundational techniques and timeless flavor combinations. Whether you're new behind the bar or looking to perfect the basics, these recipes are the ideal starting point to build skill and enjoyment.

Margarita

A true crowd-pleaser, the Margarita achieves crisp balance with tangy lime and smooth tequila. Proper measurement and good-quality citrus are key.

60 ml tequila (blanco or reposado)
30 ml fresh lime juice
20 ml orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or triple sec)
Optional: 5 ml simple syrup (adjust to taste)

Shake all ingredients with ice until cold.
Strain into a salt-rimmed rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with a lime wheel.

Old Fashioned

This whiskey-based staple showcases how minimalism delivers depth: it’s all about a robust spirit, sugar, and bitters, gently melded together.

60 ml whiskey (rye or bourbon)
5 ml simple syrup
2 ml aromatic bitters (e.g., Angostura)
Large ice cube

Add whiskey, simple syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass with ice.
Stir until well-chilled and diluted.
Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.
Express an orange peel over the glass and drop it in.

old fashioned cocktail in rocks glass with orange peel

Mojito

Refreshing and herbaceous, the Mojito combines rum, lime, sugar, and mint—resulting in a drink that’s both vibrant and cooling. Muddling gently prevents bitterness.

50 ml white rum
30 ml fresh lime juice
15 ml simple syrup
8–10 fresh mint leaves
60 ml sparkling water

Gently muddle mint leaves with syrup and lime juice in a tall glass.
Add rum and fill glass with ice.
Top with sparkling water and stir softly.
Garnish with a mint sprig.

Manhattan

With its roots in late 19th-century New York, the Manhattan is a showcase for rye or bourbon and the nuances of quality vermouth. Properly stirred, this drink reveals complex, dressed-up layers.

50 ml rye whiskey
25 ml sweet vermouth
2 ml aromatic bitters

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.
Stir gently until well-chilled.
Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
Garnish with a cherry.