1Dirty 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.
2Campari Sprittz
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONThe Campari spritz—bubbly, bitter, and very refreshing—is the perfect drink for a leisurely pre-dinner hang or happy hour with friends.
Get the Campari Spritz recipe.
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3Classic Mimosa
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONNothing kicks off brunch quite like a mimosa. If you prefer your cocktails on the sweeter side, bump up the orange juice to 3 ounces per glass, or go for a sweeter bottle of bubbly.
Get the Classic Mimosa recipe.
4Manhattan
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONThere are few cocktails more storied 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.
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5Negroni
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONSomething about the bittersweet, botanical flavors of the Negroni make 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.
6Kalimotxo
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAMAll it takes to make a Kalimotxo is two ingredients: Coke and red wine. We know it might seem crazy, but this combo truly is something special.
Get the Kalimotxo recipe.
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7Classic Margaritas
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER 8Aperol Spritz
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONThe Aperol Spritz is an Italian classic that has an iconic bittersweetness reminiscent of burnt orange and tart rhubarb. When paired with Prosecco and a bit of soda water, it makes an amazing cocktail to drink in the warmer months.
Get the Aperol Spritz recipe.
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9Old Fashioned
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDSOaky and sweet, with a hint of citrus on the finish, the whiskey Old Fashioned is truly a bourbon lover's drink. You only need a few ingredients to make this classic cocktail—sugar, bitters, bourbon, and a large ice cube—so you’ve really got to make them count.
Get the Old Fashioned recipe.
10Moscow Mule
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAMVodka, fresh lime juice, and spicy-sweet ginger beer combine in an adorable little copper mug to make the crushable fizzy drink that you’ll be sipping all year long.
Get the Moscow Mule recipe.
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11Classic Paloma
PHOTO: NICO SCHINCO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GOREWhat's a Paloma? It's kind of like a margarita, but with a grapefruit-y fizz that's heralded by many in Mexico as the better cocktail. It's beloved not just for its bittersweet, citrusy grapefruit flavor but also for its simplicity.
Get the Classic Paloma recipe.
12Bay Breeze Cocktail
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONIf we’re talking beach house vibes, it doesn’t get much more classic than a Bay Breeze cocktail. Vodka, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice are poured over ice to create a tall, frosty summer cocktail that’s the perfect blend of sweet and tangy, fruity and boozy.
Get the Bay Breeze Cocktail recipe.
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13Kir Royale
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONWhen it comes to sparkling wine-based cocktails, few beverages are as classy and sophisticated as a Kir Royale. Beyond its très chic reputation, it’s also simple to prepare and has a bubbly, sweet energy that makes any event extra-special.
Get the Kir Royale recipe.
14White Russian
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GOREWe abide by this delicious cocktail every home bartender needs to know. Tastes like a chocolate boozy milkshake and requires only three easy ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Get the White Russian recipe.
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15Limoncello Spritz
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONAperol is a classic spritz cocktail choice, but this limoncello number transports me to Italy after just one sip. The liquor is sweet and strong with a punching flavor, making it perfect for adding to cocktails like this one.
Get the Limoncello Spritz recipe.
16Cape Codder
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONNo tools necessary for this drink! Simply pour vodka and cranberry juice into a glass and serve. If you want to go the extra mile, you can add a splash of lime juice and garnish with a lime wedge.
Get the Cape Codder recipe.
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17Perfect Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitans are more than just a pretty drink. This easy cocktail is tart and citrusy with a real punch. It's a classic for every at home bartender to know and easy enough to shake up for guests or to make just for yourself.
Get the Perfect Cosmopolitan recipe.
18Dark and Stormy
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19Americano
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISONThe Americano is a simple drink with just three ingredients: Campari, club soda, and the best sweet vermouth you can find, topped with an orange slice.
Get the Americano recipe.
20Gimlet
This sweet, tart cocktail couldn't be simpler. We love garnishing with a lime wheel and a bit of lime zest. It adds a flavorful intensity that comes from the oils that are released when a lime is zested and complements the herbaceousness of the gin.
Get the Gimlet recipe.
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