Top 10 classic cocktails to master in 2024

While classic cocktails have stood the test of time, the year 2024 sees a resurgence in their popularity, with a few tweaks to adapt to contemporary palates. Here’s a curated list of the top 10 classic cocktails to master in 2024, blending tradition with modern tastes

1. Old Fashioned

Ingredients: Bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar cube, Angostura bitters, club soda, ice cubes, and an orange twist and cherry for garnish.

Instructions: In a mixing glass, muddle the sugar cube and bitters with one club soda splash. Add the whiskey and ice, and stir. Strain into a glass filled with ice and garnish with an orange twist.

Twist for 2024: Infuse the whiskey with smoked wood chips for an earthy, smoky flavour or consider using artisanal bitters.

2. Negroni

Ingredients: Equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet red vermouth. Garnish with an orange peel.

Instructions: In a mixing glass, combine gin, Campari, and vermouth. Add ice and stir until chilled. Strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice cubes. Garnish with an orange peel.

Twist for 2024: Replace gin with mezcal for a smoky Negroni or experiment with various botanical-infused vermouths.

3. Mojito

Ingredients: White rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, club soda, and ice.

Instructions: In a glass, muddle the lime juice with sugar and mint leaves. Add the white rum and top with club soda. Stir gently and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Twist for 2024: Introduce fruits like passionfruit or berries to the muddle or use coconut rum for a tropical vibe.

4. Martini

Ingredients: Gin or vodka, dry vermouth, and a lemon twist or olive for garnish.

Instructions: In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine gin or vodka and vermouth. Stir well and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with an olive or lemon twist.

Twist for 2024: Try espresso-infused gin for a caffeinated kick or add a hint of artisanal olive brine for a “dirty” twist.

5. Whiskey Sour

Ingredients: Bourbon, lemon juice, sugar, and a cherry for garnish.

Instructions: In a shaker, combine bourbon, lemon juice, and sugar with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cherry.

Twist for 2024: Use honey or maple syrup as a sweetener and add a dash of egg white for a creamy texture.

6. Manhattan

Ingredients: Rye whiskey, sweet red vermouth, Angostura bitters, and a maraschino cherry for garnish.

Instructions: In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine whiskey, vermouth, and bitters. Stir until chilled. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

Twist for 2024: Incorporate barrel-aged vermouth or experiment with cherrywood-smoked rye whiskey.

7. Margarita

Ingredients: Tequila, lime juice, triple sec, salt (for the rim), and ice.

Instructions: In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, and triple sec with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a salt-rimmed glass filled with ice.

Twist for 2024: Use jalapeño-infused tequila for a spicy kick or replace triple sec with elderflower liqueur for a floral note.

8. Daiquiri

Ingredients: White rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and ice.

Instructions: In a shaker, combine rum, lime juice, and simple syrup with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Twist for 2024: Incorporate tropical Flavors like mango or pineapple. A dash of coconut cream can also provide a “piña colada” feel.

9. Cosmopolitan

Ingredients: Vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, lime juice, and a lime twist for garnish.

Instructions: In a shaker, combine vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lime twist.

Twist for 2024: Consider using blood orange juice instead of cranberry for a unique flavour and vivid colour.

10. French 75

Ingredients: Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, champagne, and a Lemon or Orange twist for garnish.

Instructions: In a shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Shake until chilled. Strain into a champagne flute and top with champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Twist for 2024: Replace gin with lavender-infused gin or use a sparkling rosé instead of traditional champagne for a rosy hue.

These classics, with their slightly modern interpretations, strike the perfect balance between honouring tradition and embracing contemporary tastes. Perfecting them ensures you’re well-prepared for any occasion, be it a casual get-together or an elegant soirée. As the art of mixology continues to evolve in 2023, these timeless concoctions, with their new renditions, remain at the heart of the cocktail culture. Cheers to mastery and innovation!

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