Being a bartender is not just about pouring drinks, it’s about knowing the popular drinks that people expect when they order at a bar. In order to succeed in the bartending industry, it’s important to have knowledge of the classic cocktails and popular drinks that customers will be looking for. Looking to impress your friends or guests with your bartending skills? Whether you’re a seasoned bartender or just getting started, it’s essential to know the most popular drinks that every bartender should know. From classic cocktails like the Martini and Old Fashioned to trendy favorites like the Moscow Mule and Cosmopolitan, there’s a drink for every occasion and taste. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at 10 of the most popular drinks that every bartender should know, including their ingredients, serving styles, and garnishes. So, whether you’re mixing drinks at a party or behind the bar, these popular drinks are sure to be a hit with your guests.
1.Martini
A classic cocktail made with gin or vodka, dry vermouth, and garnished with an olive or twist of lemon. The proportions of gin or vodka to vermouth can vary depending on personal taste, with a dry martini having less vermouth and a wet martini having more. Martinis are typically served in a chilled glass and are a favorite among cocktail aficionados
INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 ounces gin or vodka
1/2 ounce dry vermouth
Ice
Lemon peel twist or olives, for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
Chill the glass: Before you build your Martini, put your Martini glass in the freezer to chill.
Build the drink: Place the gin or vodka and dry vermouth in a mixing glass.
Stir and strain: Add cubed ice and stir for 30 seconds until the Martini is chilled. Strain the drink into your chilled Martini glass.
Garnish the drink: Pare a lemon peel, and express (pinch) the back of the lemon peel over the martini. Rub the lemon peel around the rim of the glass and drop it into the glass. Alternatively, garnish with speared olives.
2. Margarita
A classic tequila-based cocktail made with lime juice, triple sec, and salt. Margaritas can be served on the rocks or blended with ice for a frozen version. A popular variation is the “skinny margarita,” made with fresh lime juice and a sugar substitute instead of triple sec.
Ingredients
1/4 c. kosher salt or coarse sea salt
Lime wedges, for glasses and serving
4 oz. blanco tequila
2 oz. triple sec
1 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
Ice
Directions
Step 1Place salt on small shallow plate. Rub rims of 2 rocks or margarita glasses with lime wedge, then dip into salt to coat.
Step 2Divide tequila, triple sec, and lime juice between prepared glasses and stir to combine. Top with ice and garnish with lime wedges.
3. Old Fashioned
A whiskey based cocktail made with bitters, sugar, and a citrus peel garnish. The sugar is typically dissolved with water or club soda before adding the whiskey and bitters. Old Fashioneds are typically served over ice in a short glass and are a favorite among whiskey drinkers.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon sugar
3 dashes Angostura bitters
1 teaspoon water
2 ounces bourbon (or rye whiskey, if preferred)
Garnish: orange twist
Direction
Add the sugar and bitters into a mixing glass, then add the water, and stir until the sugar is nearly dissolved.
Fill the mixing glass with ice, add the bourbon, and stir until well-chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube.
Express the oil of an orange twist over the glass, then drop into the glass to garnish.
4. Manhattan
A whiskeybased cocktail made with sweet vermouth, bitters, and a cherry garnish. The proportions of whiskey to vermouth can vary depending on personal taste, with a perfect Manhattan having equal parts sweet and dry vermouth. Manhattans are typically served up in a chilled glass and are a favorite among bourbon and rye whiskey drinkers.
Ingredients
2 ounces rye whiskey
1 ounce sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Garnish: brandied cherry (or lemon twist, if preferred)
Direction
Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora or coupe glass.
Garnish with a brandied cherry (or a lemon twist, if preferred).
5. Negroni
A classic Italian cocktail made with gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Negronis are typically served on the rocks with an orange peel garnish. The bitterness of the Campari makes this cocktail an acquired taste, but it has gained popularity in recent years.
Ingredients
1 ounce gin
1 ounce Campari
1 ounce sweet vermouth
Garnish: orange peel
Direction
Add the gin, Campari and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice, and stir until well-chilled.
Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
Garnish with an orange peel.
6. Cosmopolitan
A popular vodka-based cocktail made with cranberry juice, lime juice, and triple sec. Cosmopolitans are typically served up in a chilled glass and are a favorite among those who prefer sweeter cocktails.
Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces citron vodka
3/4 ounce Cointreau
3/4 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/2 ounce cranberry juice cocktail
Garnish: lime wedge
Direction
Add the vodka, Cointreau, lime juice, and cranberry juice cocktail into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
7. Daiquiri
A classic rum-based cocktail made with lime juice and simple syrup. Daiquiris can be served on the rocks or blended with ice for a frozen version. Popular variations include the strawberry daiquiri and the Hemingway daiquiri, made with grapefruit juice and maraschino liqueur.
Ingredients
2 ounces light rum
1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
3/4 ounce demerara sugar syrup
Garnish: lime twist
Direction
Add the rum, lime juice and demerara sugar syrup to a shaker with ice, and shake until well-chilled.
Strain into a chilled coupe.
Garnish with a lime twist.
8. Moscow Mule
A vodka-based cocktail made with lime juice, ginger beer, and garnished with a lime wedge. Moscow Mules are typically served in a copper mug and are a favorite among those who enjoy a refreshing and slightly spicy cocktail.
Ingredients
2 ounces vodka
1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
3 ounces ginger beer, chilled
Garnish: lime wheel
Direction
Fill a Moscow Mule mug (or highball glass) with ice, then add the vodka and lime juice.
Top with the ginger beer.
Garnish with a lime wheel.
9. Gin and Tonic
A classic cocktail made with gin, tonic water, and a lime wedge. Gin and tonics are typically served over ice in a tall glass and are a favorite among gin drinkers.
Ingredients
2 ounces gin
4 ounces tonic water
Garnish: 2 lime wheels or other seasonal garnishes you may prefer
Direction
Fill a highball glass with ice, then add the gin.
Top with the tonic water and gently stir.
Garnish with lime wheels or seasonal garnishes
10. Bloody Mary
A vodka-based cocktail made with tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and a variety of other spices. Bloody Marys are typically served over ice in a tall glass and are a favorite among brunch-goers looking for a savory and spicy cocktail. Popular variations include the Bloody Maria, made with tequila instead of vodka, and the Bloody Caesar, made with clam juice.
Ingredients:
Celery salt
1 lemon wedge
1 lime wedge
2 ounces vodka
4 ounces tomato juice
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
2 dashes Tabasco sauce
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 pinch smoked paprika
Garnish: parsley sprig
Garnish: green olives
Garnish: lime wedge
Garnish: celery stalk
Direction
Pour some celery salt onto a small plate.
Rub the juicy side of the lemon or lime wedge along the lip of a pint glass.
Roll the outer edge of the glass in celery salt until fully coated, then fill the glass with ice and set aside.
Squeeze the lemon and lime wedges into a shaker and drop them in.
Add the vodka, tomato juice, horseradish, Tabasco, Worcestershire, black pepper, paprika, plus a pinch of celery salt along with ice and shake gently.
Strain into the prepared glass.
Garnish with parsley sprig, 2 speared green olives, a lime wedge and a celery stalk (optional).
