1Manhattan
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONThere are few cocktails more storied (or simple!) than the Manhattan. First stirred up in 1894 by a bartender at New York City's Waldorf Astoria, the defining characteristic is that it uses Scotch whiskey. Change up your bitters with a few dashes of walnut, lavender, or black cherry for a fun twist.
Get the Classic Manhattan recipe.
2Dirty Martini
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONSippable and snackable, the perfect dirty martini is a simple ratio of 5:1:1—chilled gin: dry vermouth: olive brine. This mixture is then poured over a few ice cubes and stirred until a little of the ice dilutes to tame this stiff drink, and served with a few olives.
Get the Dirty Martini recipe.
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3Black Russian
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONThe Black Russian was created in Brussels in the 1940s by a Belgian hotel bartender for the American ambassador to Luxembourg. Its name comes from the Russian spirit—vodka—and the color the coffee liqueur gives the drink. In the '60s, people began adding cream, turning it into a white Russian. TMYK!
Get the Black Russian recipe.
4Frozen Espresso Martini
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GOREBy freezing concentrated cold brew, blending it with Kahlúa and vodka, and topping it with an instant espresso Baileys whipped cream, we’ve created a frozen espresso martini that is not only perfectly balanced, but also incredibly easy to make and super-impressive.
Get the Frozen Espresso Martini recipe.
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5An Americano In Paris
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: SAM SENEVIRATNEThis drink is the illegitimate love child of a classic cocktail and a French aperitif; an Americano with an accent that is ready to transport you to the river Seine on a crisp Parisian evening. Add the adorable orange peel heart-shaped garnish, and you've got a drink that will take you to the city of love after just one sip.
Get the An Americano In Paris recipe.
6Peppermint White Russians
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONThe white Russian is already the king of creamy after-dinner cocktails, but adding a splash of peppermint schnapps makes it perfect for a seasonal celebration. Finish with a pinch of salt and a few peppermint candies, and meet your new favorite holiday nightcap.
Get the Peppermint White Russians recipe.
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7Gold Rush Cocktail
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCEFans of the whiskey sour to the front, please! The Gold Rush cocktail is the whiskey drink you’re already in love with, with just a few changes. 1) It calls for honey instead of simple syrup, and doesn't call for any egg whites.
Get the Gold Rush Cocktail recipe.
8Old-Fashioned
Erik bernsteinOaky and sweet, with a hint of citrus on the finish, this classic cocktail is truly a bourbon lover's drink. You only need a few ingredients to make it too—sugar, bitters, and a large ice cube—so you’ve really got to make them count (i.e., go for the good stuff!).
Get the Old-Fashioned recipe.
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9Last Word Cocktail
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STLYING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCERTurn your kitchen into a speakeasy with this sharp, sour, and slightly sweet cocktail. Best part? It only requires 4 ingredients—gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice in equal parts.
Get the Last Word Cocktail recipe.
10Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11White Russian
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GOREA classic white Russian is a drink that every bartender needs in their tool belt. Firstly, it's a cocktail made with things you like have in your bar and fridge. Secondly, it basically tastes like an adult chocolate milkshake. What more could you want?
Get the White Russian recipe.
12French 75
PHOTO: ANDREW BUIThe French 75 is among the fanciest of cocktails. Champagne is what makes this drink distinctively French (and totally worth the splurge), but a more affordable sparkling wine such as Prosecco or Cava are both sound options.
Get the French 75 recipe.
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13Negroni
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONSomething about the bittersweet, botanical flavors of the negroni makes us feel like we're on vacation. This classic Italian cocktail amps up the notes of juniper in gin with sweet vermouth and herbaceous Campari.
Get the Negroni recipe.
14Tiramisu White Russian
PHOTO: LINDA PUGLIESE; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORESomewhere between a cocktail and a dessert, this Italian-influenced, tiramisu-inspired white Russian is hard to resist. Looking for a festive upgrade? A dash of orange bitters, a pinch of ground cinnamon, or some fresh nutmeg shavings add another dimension to this decadent drink.
Get the Tiramisu White Russian recipe.
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15Amaretto Sour
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER PHOTOGRAPHY; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNEFor cocktail lovers who like a whiskey sour but want something a bit nuttier, this is the perfect drink. An amaretto sour is also the ideal cocktail for anyone who loves tiramisu, since the classic Italian dessert often includes amaretto.
Get the Amaretto Sour recipe.
16Espresso Martini
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEINBefore the negroni and the spritz took center stage, the espresso martini was the drink of the moment. Popular with coffee lovers and tired pre-gamers alike, this classic cocktail was born in the 1980s but saw a resurgence in popularity in the last few years (and we totally see why).
Get the Espresso Martini recipe.
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17Americano
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONSimilar to a negroni or an Aperol spritz, an Americano is a simple cocktail featuring Campari, club soda, and the best sweet vermouth you can find. Created in the 1860s, today it's often topped with an orange slice for a bittersweet, super-refreshing summertime beverage.
Get the Americano recipe.
18Brandy Alexander
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19Cherry Sazerac
Emily Hlavac Green 20Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour
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