Ever wonder why a Manhattan or a Martini never goes out of style? The answer is simple – they taste great and they’re easy to make once you know the basics. In this guide you’ll find the most popular classic cocktails, the tools you need, and some quick tricks to keep your drinks balanced every time.
Before you start shaking, make sure you have a few key items. A shaker (Boston style works fine), a strainer, a jigger for measuring, a bar spoon, and a muddler are the only things you really need. A good set of glasses – coupe, lowball, and highball – lets you serve each drink the right way. If you’re short on space, a small cocktail kit that bundles these tools will do the job.
1. Old Fashioned
Ingredients: 2 oz bourbon or rye, 1 sugar cube (or ½ tsp simple syrup), 2 dashes Angostura bitters, orange peel.
Mix the sugar and bitters in a lowball glass, add a splash of water, then stir in the whiskey. Add a large ice cube and garnish with an orange peel. This drink is all about balance – sweet, bitter, and spirit forward.
2. Martini
Ingredients: 2½ oz gin (or vodka), ½ oz dry vermouth, lemon twist or olive.
Stir (or shake, if you like it colder) gin and vermouth with ice, then strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist or an olive. Keep the vermouth low; the classic ratio is about 5:1, which lets the gin shine.
3. Margarita
Ingredients: 2 oz tequila, 1 oz lime juice, ½ oz triple sec, optional salt rim.
Shake tequila, lime juice, and triple sec with ice, then strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Rim the glass with salt if you prefer. The fresh lime is key – never use bottled juice for a true classic taste.
These three drinks cover a range of flavors: bitter, aromatic, and citrusy. Once you master them, you can experiment with variations without losing the core balance.
Pro tip: always taste before you serve. A quick sip lets you adjust sweetness or acidity with a tiny splash of simple syrup or a dash more citrus. Small tweaks keep your cocktails consistent night after night.
Finally, remember that fresh ingredients make the biggest difference. Use real citrus juice, quality spirits, and good ice. Cheap ice melts fast and waters down the drink, while fresh juice adds brightness that bottled versions lack.
With the right tools, a few core recipes, and a habit of tasting, you’ll be able to serve classic cocktails that impress friends and feel like they belong in a fancy bar. Cheers to keeping the classics alive at home!
Looking for the best cocktail lounges in London? This guide covers everything from iconic, old-school bars to inventive craft spots shaking up the scene right now. Expect tips on what to order, which local gems to seek out, and little-known facts that can make your night out even better. Whether you want a date-night haunt, a lively spot for after-work drinks, or a place to show visiting friends the heart of London's cocktail culture, you’ll find trusted recommendations right here. Expect tried-and-tested advice you can actually use when exploring the capital’s cocktail scene.