Popular cocktail types

The History

      There is a lack of clarity on the origins of cocktails. Traditionally cocktails were a mixture of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. But by the 1860s, a cocktail frequently included a liqueur.

The first publication of a bartenders' guide which included cocktail recipes was in 1862 – How to Mix Drinks; or, The Bon Vivant's Companion, by "Professor" Jerry Thomas. In addition to recipes for punches, sours, slings, cobblers, shrubs, toddies, flips, and a variety of other mixed drinks were 10 recipes for "cocktails". A key ingredient differentiating cocktails from other drinks in this compendium was the use of bitters. Mixed drinks popular today that conform to this original meaning of "cocktail" include the Old Fashioned whiskey cocktail, the Sazerac cocktail, and the Manhattan cocktail.

The ingredients listed (spirits, sugar, water, and bitters) match the ingredients of an Old Fashioned, which originated as a term used by late 19th-century bar patrons to distinguish cocktails made the "old-fashioned" way from newer, more complex cocktails.

The first "cocktail party" ever thrown was allegedly by Mrs. Julius S. Walsh Jr. of St. Louis, Missouri, in May 1917. Walsh invited 50 guests to her home at noon on a Sunday. The party lasted an hour until lunch was served at 1 pm. The site of this first cocktail party still stands. In 1924, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis bought the Walsh mansion at 4510 Lindell Boulevard, and it has served as the local archbishop's residence ever since.

During Prohibition in the United States (1919–1933), when alcoholic beverages were illegal, cocktails were still consumed illegally in establishments known as speakeasies. The quality of the liquor available during Prohibition was much worse than previously. There was a shift from whiskey to gin, which does not require aging and is, therefore, easier to produce illicitly. Honey, fruit juices, and other flavorings served to mask the foul taste of the inferior liquors. Sweet cocktails were easier to drink quickly, an important consideration when the establishment might be raided at any moment.

Cocktails became less popular in the late 1960s and through the 1970s until resurging in the 1980s with vodka often substituting the original gin in drinks such as the martini. Traditional cocktails began to make a comeback in the 2000s, and by the mid-2000s there was a renaissance of cocktail culture in a style typically referred to as mixology that draws on traditional cocktails for inspiration but utilizes novel ingredients and often complex flavors.

Some Classic Cocktails

1. Mojito

Traditionally, a Mojito consists of five ingredients that include sugar or sugarcane juice, lime juice, soda water, mint, and white rum. The Cuban drink may not have a very clear history of origin but it is believed that it is one of the first cocktails to have been invented. Best consumed in Collins glassware, Mojito is garnished with a sprig of mint and lemon slice.

2. Long Island Iced Tea 

Long Island Iced Tea (LIIT) is a stylish cocktail typically made with vodka, triple sec, tequila, light rum, gin and cola that gives it a nice and soothing amber hue. This cocktail has a much higher concentration of liquor than most of the other popular cocktails. It is generally served in a long highball glass.

3. Manhattan

Manhattan cocktail was created at the Manhattan Club in New York City during the early 1870s. It is made with whiskey, bitters and sweet vermouth (aromatized and fortified wines). The most common whiskeys that are used to make the drink may include Canadian whiskey, blended whiskey, Tennessee whiskey or Rye Whiskey. Lowball glasses are commonly used to serve this cocktail.

4. Daiquiri

This cocktail uses rum, citrus juice (ideally lime juice) and sugar or any other sweetener as the main ingredients. There are quite a few variations of Daiquiri popular across the world that include Banana Daiquiri, Avocado Daiquiri, and Hemingway Daiquiri.

5. Margarita

Margarita is a sour cocktail consisting of tequila, triple sec and lime or lemon juice. It is generally served with salt or sugar placed on the rim of the glass.

6. Bloody Mary

The spooky name Bloody Mary is synonymous to the bright red color of the cocktail. It is made with vodka, tomato juice and a combination of various spices and flavors, which may include cayenne pepper, celery, olives and more. This drink is served in a highball glass.

7. Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan is made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime juice. It is usually served in a martini glass and is popularized as a feminine drink.

8. Tom Collins

Tom Collins is a stylish drink made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water is generally served in Collins glassware. It is garnished with a lemon slice and maraschino cherry.

9. Moscow Mule

Moscow Mule is believed to have originated in the United States of America. It is made with vodka, spicy ginger beer, and lime juice and garnished with a slice of a wedge of lime. One thing that makes it stand out is that it is always served in a copper mug.

10. Screwdriver

No, it’s not the screwdriver tool that you are thinking of! This interesting drink is made with vodka and orange juice, that’s how basic it is. Served in a highball glass, it has many variations with different names around the world.

11. Hurricane

This sweet alcoholic drink is made with rum, fruit juice, and passion fruit syrup or grenadine. However, it is made differently in different parts of the world. There can be two types of rums added in it - dark rum and white rum.

12. Martini

A classy drink, the martini is a cocktail made with gin and vermouth and garnished with an olive. You can add some aromatic bitters and serve it chilled in a martini glass. Ideally, a martini shouldn’t be shaken, but stirred.

13. Tequila Sunrise

The mix of sweet and sour flavors, this cocktail is a modern drink that originated in California. It is made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup and served unmixed in a tall glass.

14. Sangria

Sangria is a punchy cocktail consisting of red or white wine, chopped fresh fruits, and fruit juice.

Four ways to make the cocktail

(1) floating method (2) harmonic method (3) shaking method (4) mixing method.

1. Floating method

The floating method is to pour ingredients into wine cups directly but does not deliberately create layering. Because the density of ingredients is different, you can see that the cocktail has a gradual change. In most cases, a cocktail made by floating method will be equipped with a stirring stick, and you can choose to taste it hierarchically or mix it evenly.

2. Harmonic method

Blending ingredients will be poured into the wine glass, then stir with the spoon. The blending method is suitable for cocktails without eggs, butter, syrup, sweet wine, high sugar fruit juice, and other high-density ingredients.

3. Shake and method

Shake the ingredients and pour them into the jug. Shake well and pour into the cup. Shaking method is suitable for cocktails with high-density ingredients such as eggs, butter, syrup, sweet wine, and high sugar fruit juice. According to the density of materials, the way, time and intensity of shaking are different. For example, when making Pink Lady, it is generally recommended to shake it with both hands rather than with one hand, because it contains egg white. The time and intensity of shaking should be increased accordingly.

4. Mixing method

The mixing method is about to pour ingredients into the blender, stir thoroughly and pour into the cup. The mixing method is suitable for cocktail containing banana, ice cream and other mixers that must be mixed with a mixer.