Popularity in any sector is, of course, subjective and ever-changing — especially in the food and beverage industry — depending on a range of criteria such as financial and geographical preferences. However, as a former bartender in New York, with several friends and colleagues in the bar industry, and as a consummate cocktail consumer myself, I have an informed view regarding a must-have list of popular drinks right now.
Cocktails are still a staple of dining and dating culture, and I’m fascinated by how they’re prepared, who orders them, and for what situations, as well as how the greatest bartenders continue to innovate and update the profession. I am not the only one who wonders who is creating the greatest and most well-liked cocktails, as demonstrated by the “50 Best” Awards, which spark discussion (and debate) each year. And This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it is based on my own taste and observations as well as discussions with other cocktail connoisseurs. Throughout the upcoming months and more, I’m very much excited to go back and enjoy each of these beverages again and i really love it
- Aperol Spritz: Starting this list with a controversial choice may seem contradictory, but an Aperol Spritz is undeniably appealing, especially during a holiday in Italy. The Aperol Spritz, made with the spirit Aperol (known for its distinctive orange color and slightly bitter and citrusy flavor), Prosecco, and soda water, garnished with an orange slice and served in a wine glass, is a popular aperitivo before dinner due to its lower alcohol content and refreshing taste. It’s a refreshing drink that’s ideal for a hot summer day — or anytime.
- Bloody Mary: A standard Bloody Mary is created with vodka and tomato juice, plus a kick from Worcestershire sauce or horseradish. You can also add pepper, lime juice, or pickle juice for taste, and replace the vodka with tequila or another spirit if you like a different flavor profile. Invented in Paris in the 1920s, this morning dish has had great staying power, appearing on menus all over the world with diverse toppings such as bacon, prawns, and even fried chicken.
- Boulevardier: For those of us who don’t drink gin but enjoy Negronis (lower down the list), the Boulevardier is a terrific alternative – it substitutes bourbon for gin. This cocktail was also created at the same bar in Paris where the Bloody Mary was born. (American Prohibition, however, resulted in more drinks than it prevented.) The whole ingredient list for a Boulevardier is simple: bourbon, sweet vermouth, and Campari (another bitter liquor with citrus flavors), garnished with an orange peel (although lemon will suffice). Serve in a coupe glass or with ice in a rocks glass.
- Cosmopolitan: The Cosmopolitan (or “Cosmo” for short) is a cocktail that was popular in the 1980s before the television show, but Sarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw brought it back into the mainstream for a generation of savvy women. It is made with vodka, cranberry juice, and a dash of Cointreau or Grand Marnier with lime juice to balance the sweetness. Usually, there is also a lemon rind twist or a lime slice, and it is served in a martini glass.
- Daiquiri: Although most people associate daiquiris with frozen drinks enjoyed on the beach, a basic daiquiri is considerably cleaner and simpler: rum, lime juice, and sugar or simple syrup. Extremely popular in Cuba (the recipe was recorded by an American engineer working in Cuba in the late 1800s), Ernest Hemingway popularized the cocktail while living there, flinging them down with unprecedented frequency. The next time you’re pondering one of the pricey slushies on a resort menu, opt for the old-school, more literary version.
- Dark ‘n’ Stormy: As the name implies, this is a drink popular among sailors and the boating community, having became the “unofficial drink” of Bermuda after being introduced by Bermuda’s Royal Naval Officers Club. According to the account, some Club members mixed rum into their ginger beer, resulting in a floater on top that resembled a storm cloud. The cocktail is similar to the Moscow Mule (which is also on the list), except instead of vodka, it contains black rum. In addition to the rum and ginger beer, consider garnishing with a lime or candied ginger, if available!
- Espresso Martini: The Espresso Martini, which first appeared in the 1980s and 1990s, has officially made a comeback. According to Forbes, the cocktail became one of the best-selling cocktails in the United States in 2022, climbing five spots on the list. When you want your caffeine and alcohol in equal amounts, this is the drink to have. Most Espresso Martinis on a menu are vodka-based (though I prefer to use Mezcal for a smokier flavor), with a coffee liqueur, a shot of espresso, and a little added sugar to make it an after-dinner or dessert cocktail.
- French 75: Despite its charming name, the French 75 has military origins. The French 75 was the conventional name for a gun employed by the French during the First World War. It appears that analogies were made between the strong weapon and its namesake drink. Some of the ingredients in the French 75 have varied over time, but gin, Champagne, lemon juice, and a sweetener similar to simple syrup have stayed constant. This drink is often served in a champagne flute, with a lemon twist.
- Long Island Iced Tea: Yes, it has a bad reputation as a favorite drink of college students and bachelorette parties everywhere. However, its high alcohol content is what keeps it so popular. First of all, the drink does not contain iced tea; the term is related to its color, derived from the combination of lemon juice and cola. The origin of the cocktail is debated; some claim that it originated in Long Island, New York, others in the Tennessee area. However, the five alcoholic ingredients remain the same: gin, rum, tequila, triple sec and vodka.
- Gimlet: Gimlet, a close cousin of Daiquiri, contains only three ingredients: gin, lime juice and sugar. According to one idea, the drink was created to help sailors get their vitamins. During a devastating outbreak of scurvy in the late 1880s, Rear Admiral Sir Thomas Gimlette advised his crew to consume lime juice to combat the disease and add alcohol to facilitate its passage. Even if you are not looking for vitamins, this drink is still very refreshing today. Decorate with a slice of lime, which resembles the rudder of a boat seen from afar.
The final cocktail on this list is both straightforward and elevated, which is likely why it’s so popular with drinkers. Essentially similar to the Pisco Sour, discussed earlier, the Whiskey Sour contains whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white, with the ingredients mixed without ice before being poured. (Many bars will skip the egg white, but the foam makes it more traditional.) More recently, some bars will add a red wine float, turning it into a New York or Greenwich Sour. You can add a maraschino cherry or orange and bitters on top as garnish.