50 Cocktails You NEED to Know to be a Better Bartender

Being a bartender is a great way to make a living. It’s a job that requires skill, knowledge, and creativity. To be a successful bartender, you need to know how to make a variety of drinks. Here are 50 cocktails you need to know to be a better bartender.

1. Margarita

The Margarita is a classic tequila-based cocktail. It’s made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur. It’s usually served in a salt-rimmed glass.

2. Mojito

The Mojito is a refreshing rum-based cocktail. It’s made with white rum, lime juice, sugar, and mint leaves. It’s usually served over crushed ice.

3. Daiquiri

The Daiquiri is a classic rum-based cocktail. It’s made with white rum, lime juice, and sugar. It’s usually served in a chilled glass.

4. Long Island Iced Tea

The Long Island Iced Tea is a strong cocktail. It’s made with vodka, gin, tequila, rum, triple sec, and cola. It’s usually served over ice.

5. Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan is a popular vodka-based cocktail. It’s made with vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and triple sec. It’s usually served in a chilled glass.

6. White Russian

The White Russian is a creamy vodka-based cocktail. It’s made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream. It’s usually served over ice.

7. Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is a classic whiskey-based cocktail. It’s made with whiskey, sugar, bitters, and a twist of orange. It’s usually served in an old-fashioned glass.

8. Manhattan

The Manhattan is a classic whiskey-based cocktail. It’s made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. It’s usually served in a chilled glass.

9. Martini

The Martini is a classic gin-based cocktail. It’s made with gin, dry vermouth, and a twist of lemon. It’s usually served in a chilled glass.

10. Mai Tai

The Mai Tai is a tropical rum-based cocktail. It’s made with white rum, dark rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, and orgeat syrup. It’s usually served over crushed ice.

11. Pina Colada

The Pina Colada is a tropical rum-based cocktail. It’s made with white rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, and lime juice. It’s usually served over crushed ice.

12. Bloody Mary

The Bloody Mary is a savory vodka-based cocktail. It’s made with vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. It’s usually served over ice.

13. Mimosa

The Mimosa is a classic champagne-based cocktail. It’s made with champagne and orange juice. It’s usually served in a champagne flute.

14. Bellini

The Bellini is a classic champagne-based cocktail. It’s made with champagne and peach puree. It’s usually served in a champagne flute.

15. French 75

The French 75 is a classic champagne-based cocktail. It’s made with champagne, gin, lemon juice, and sugar. It’s usually served in a champagne flute.

16. Sidecar

The Sidecar is a classic cognac-based cocktail. It’s made with cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice. It’s usually served in a chilled glass.

17. Sazerac

The Sazerac is a classic whiskey-based cocktail. It’s made with whiskey, absinthe, sugar, and bitters. It’s usually served in an old-fashioned glass.

18. Whiskey Sour

The Whiskey Sour is a classic whiskey-based cocktail. It’s made with whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar. It’s usually served over ice.

19. Gin Fizz

The Gin Fizz is a classic gin-based cocktail. It’s made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. It’s usually served over ice.

20. Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a classic gin-based cocktail. It’s made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. It’s usually served over ice.

21. Hurricane

The Hurricane is a tropical rum-based cocktail. It’s made with white rum, dark rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, and passion fruit syrup. It’s usually served over crushed ice.

22. Singapore Sling

The Singapore Sling is a tropical gin-based cocktail. It’s made with gin, cherry liqueur, lime juice, and soda water. It’s usually served over ice.

23. Mint Julep

The Mint Julep is a classic whiskey-based cocktail. It’s made with whiskey, sugar, and mint leaves. It’s usually served over crushed ice.

24. Irish Coffee

The Irish Coffee is a classic whiskey-based cocktail. It’s made with whiskey, coffee, and sugar. It’s usually served in a mug.

25. Kamikaze

The Kamikaze is a classic vodka-based cocktail. It’s made with vodka, lime juice, and triple sec. It’s usually served in a chilled glass.

26. Sex on the Beach

The Sex on the Beach is a fruity vodka-based cocktail. It’s made with vodka, orange juice, cranberry juice, and peach schnapps. It’s usually served over ice.

27. Tequila Sunrise

The Tequila Sunrise is a classic tequila-based cocktail. It’s made with tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. It’s usually served over ice.

28. Sea Breeze

The Sea Breeze is a fruity vodka-based cocktail. It’s made with vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice. It’s usually served over ice.

29. Screwdriver

The Screwdriver is a classic vodka-based cocktail. It’s made with vodka and orange juice. It’s usually served over ice.

30. Black Russian

The Black Russian is a creamy vodka-based cocktail. It’s made with vodka and coffee liqueur. It’s usually served over ice.

31. Harvey Wallbanger

The Harvey Wallbanger is a creamy vodka-based cocktail. It’s made with vodka, orange juice, and Galliano. It’s usually served over ice.

32. Grasshopper

The Grasshopper is a creamy liqueur-based cocktail. It’s made with crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and cream. It’s usually served over ice.

33. Brandy Alexander

The Brandy Alexander is a creamy brandy-based cocktail. It’s made with brandy, crème de cacao, and cream. It’s usually served over ice.

34. Godfather

The Godfather is a classic whiskey-based cocktail. It’s made with whiskey and amaretto. It’s usually served over ice.

35. Godmother

The Godmother is a classic vodka-based cocktail. It’s made with vodka and amaretto. It’s usually served over ice.

36. Rusty Nail

The Rusty Nail is a classic whiskey-based cocktail. It’s made with whiskey and Drambuie. It’s usually served over ice.

37. Rob Roy

The Rob Roy is a classic whiskey-based cocktail. It’s made with whiskey and sweet vermouth. It’s usually served in a chilled glass.

38. Gin Rickey

The Gin Rickey is a classic gin-based cocktail. It’s made with gin and lime juice. It’s usually served over ice.

39. Jack Rose

The Jack Rose is a classic apple brandy-based cocktail. It’s made with apple brandy, lemon juice, and grenadine. It’s usually served over ice.

40. Whiskey Sour

The Whiskey Sour is a classic whiskey-based cocktail. It’s made with whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar. It’s usually served over ice.

41. Gin and Tonic

The Gin and Tonic is a classic gin-based cocktail. It’s made with gin and tonic water. It’s usually served over ice.

42. Dark and Stormy

The Dark and Stormy is a classic rum-based cocktail. It’s made with dark rum and ginger beer. It’s usually served over ice.

43. Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is a classic vodka-based cocktail. It’s made with vodka and ginger beer. It’s usually served over ice.

44. Hot Toddy

The Hot Toddy is a classic whiskey-based cocktail. It’s made with whiskey, honey, lemon juice, and hot water. It’s usually served in a mug.

45. Irish Coffee

The Irish Coffee is a classic whiskey-based cocktail. It’s made with whiskey, coffee, and sugar. It’s usually served in a mug.

46. Bellini

The Bellini is a classic champagne-based cocktail. It’s made with champagne and peach puree. It’s usually served in a champagne flute.

47. Kir Royale

The Kir Royale is a classic champagne-based cocktail. It’s made with champagne and crème de cassis. It’s usually served in a champagne flute.

48. Champagne Cocktail

The Champagne Cocktail is a classic champagne-based cocktail. It’s made with champagne, sugar, and bitters. It’s usually served in a champagne flute.

49. Sangria

The Sangria is a fruity wine-based cocktail. It’s made with red wine, brandy, orange juice, and lemon-lime soda. It’s usually served over ice.

50. Mimosa

The Mimosa is a classic champagne-based cocktail. It’s made with champagne and orange juice. It’s usually served in a champagne flute.

FAQs

What are the most popular cocktails?

The most popular cocktails are the Margarita, Mojito, Daiquiri, Long Island Iced Tea, Cosmopolitan, White Russian, Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Martini, and Mai Tai.

What is the difference between a cocktail and a mixed drink?

A cocktail is a mixed drink that contains at least two ingredients, one of which is usually an alcoholic spirit. A mixed drink is any drink that contains two or more ingredients, but does not necessarily contain an alcoholic spirit.