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Classic Spirit-Based Cocktails

The complete bartender's script — recipes, glassware, garnish, and method for 25 of the world's most iconic cocktails, organized by base spirit.

Compiled by Nigel A. Thomas — Hospitality Executive & Corporate Trainer, CHS & ServSafe Certified

Classic Spirit-Based Cocktails poster showing whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, and tequila cocktails with garnish guide

Reference poster: five iconic spirits, twenty-five classic cocktails. Full written recipes and technique below.

How to use this script: Each cocktail lists its full ingredient measures, glassware, garnish, and step-by-step method — including whether it's built, stirred, shaken, blended, or poured over. This is the same structure I use when training bar teams: know the spirit family first, then the technique, then the glass and garnish follow naturally.

Method Key

  • Build — assembled directly in the serving glass, no shaking or stirring required beyond a light stir to combine.
  • Stir — spirit-forward drinks stirred with ice in a mixing glass, then strained. Keeps the drink silky and properly diluted without aeration.
  • Shake — ingredients with juice, dairy, or egg white shaken hard with ice to chill, dilute, and aerate.
  • Blend — ingredients blended with crushed ice for a frozen, slushy texture.
  • Pour Over / Layer — liquid poured over ice or layered by density for visual effect.

Contents

  1. Old Fashioned
  2. Whiskey Sour
  3. Manhattan
  4. Mint Julep
  5. Irish Coffee
  6. Moscow Mule
  7. Cosmopolitan
  8. Bloody Mary
  9. Espresso Martini
  10. Screwdriver
  11. Mojito
  12. Daiquiri
  13. Piña Colada
  14. Cuba Libre
  15. Mai Tai
  16. Gin & Tonic
  17. Negroni
  18. Tom Collins
  19. Martini
  20. Singapore Sling
  21. Margarita
  22. Tequila Sunrise
  23. Paloma
  24. Tommy's Margarita
  25. Ranch Water
1

Whiskey-Based Cocktails

Bold, smooth, and timeless — cocktails crafted with the warmth of whiskey.

Old Fashioned

BuildRocks Glass

Ingredients

  • 60 ml bourbon or rye whiskey
  • 1 sugar cube (or 10 ml simple syrup)
  • 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 splash of water
  • Large ice cube

Method

  1. Place the sugar cube in the glass and saturate with bitters and a splash of water.
  2. Muddle until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Add the large ice cube and pour in the whiskey.
  4. Stir gently for 20–30 seconds to chill and dilute.

Garnish: Orange peel, expressed over the glass; optional cocktail cherry.

Whiskey Sour

ShakeCoupe / Sour Glass

Ingredients

  • 60 ml whiskey (bourbon)
  • 25 ml fresh lemon juice
  • 20 ml sugar syrup
  • 1 egg white (optional, for texture)

Method

  1. If using egg white, dry-shake all ingredients first (no ice) for 15 seconds.
  2. Add ice and shake hard for another 15 seconds.
  3. Double-strain into a chilled coupe.

Garnish: Brandied cherry and an orange half-wheel or twist.

Manhattan

StirMartini / Coupe Glass

Ingredients

  • 60 ml rye or bourbon whiskey
  • 30 ml sweet vermouth
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Method

  1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir for 20–30 seconds until well chilled.
  3. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.

Garnish: Brandied or maraschino cherry.

Mint Julep

Build / MuddleJulep Cup

Ingredients

  • 60 ml bourbon
  • 8–10 fresh mint leaves
  • 10 ml sugar syrup
  • Crushed ice

Method

  1. Gently muddle mint leaves with sugar syrup in the julep cup (bruise, don't shred).
  2. Pack the cup tightly with crushed ice.
  3. Pour bourbon over the ice and stir until the cup frosts over.
  4. Top with more crushed ice to form a dome.

Garnish: Large mint sprig, spanked (clapped between hands) to release aroma.

Irish Coffee

Build / Pour OverIrish Coffee Glass / Mug

Ingredients

  • 45 ml Irish whiskey
  • 90 ml hot brewed coffee
  • 10–15 ml sugar (to taste)
  • Lightly whipped fresh cream, poured over the back of a spoon

Method

  1. Warm the glass, add sugar and hot coffee, stir to dissolve.
  2. Add the Irish whiskey and stir.
  3. Gently pour lightly whipped cream over the back of a spoon so it floats on top.

Garnish: Cream float on the surface; optional coffee beans or grated nutmeg.

2

Vodka-Based Cocktails

Crisp, clean, and versatile — cocktails perfect for every occasion.

Moscow Mule

BuildCopper Mug

Ingredients

  • 50 ml vodka
  • 15 ml fresh lime juice
  • 120 ml ginger beer, chilled

Method

  1. Fill the copper mug with ice.
  2. Add vodka and lime juice.
  3. Top with ginger beer and stir gently to combine.

Garnish: Lime wheel or wedge, and a mint sprig.

Cosmopolitan

ShakeMartini Glass

Ingredients

  • 45 ml citrus vodka
  • 15 ml triple sec
  • 30 ml cranberry juice
  • 15 ml fresh lime juice

Method

  1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake hard for 10–15 seconds.
  3. Double-strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish: Orange twist, expressed over the glass.

Bloody Mary

Build / RollHighball Glass

Ingredients

  • 45 ml vodka
  • 90 ml tomato juice
  • 15 ml fresh lemon juice
  • 2–3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
  • 2–3 dashes Tabasco
  • Pinch of celery salt, black pepper

Method

  1. Fill glass with ice, add all ingredients.
  2. Roll (pour between two glasses) or stir gently to combine without over-diluting.

Garnish: Celery stalk, lemon wedge, cherry tomato, and a pinch of black pepper.

Espresso Martini

ShakeMartini / Coupe Glass

Ingredients

  • 50 ml vodka
  • 30 ml fresh espresso, cooled slightly
  • 20 ml coffee liqueur
  • 10 ml sugar syrup

Method

  1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with plenty of ice.
  2. Shake hard for 15–20 seconds to build the signature foam crema.
  3. Double-strain into a chilled coupe.

Garnish: Three coffee beans placed on the foam.

Screwdriver

BuildHighball Glass

Ingredients

  • 50 ml vodka
  • 120 ml fresh orange juice

Method

  1. Fill glass with ice.
  2. Pour in vodka, top with orange juice.
  3. Stir gently to combine.

Garnish: Orange wedge or half-wheel.

3

Rum-Based Cocktails

Tropical, vibrant, and refreshing — cocktails with the spirit of the islands.

Mojito

Build / MuddleHighball Glass

Ingredients

  • 50 ml white rum
  • 8–10 fresh mint leaves
  • 25 ml fresh lime juice
  • 15 ml sugar syrup
  • Soda water, to top

Method

  1. Gently muddle mint with sugar syrup and lime juice in the glass.
  2. Fill with crushed or cubed ice, add rum, and stir.
  3. Top with soda water and stir once more.

Garnish: Mint sprig and a lime wheel.

Daiquiri

ShakeCoupe Glass

Ingredients

  • 60 ml white rum
  • 25 ml fresh lime juice
  • 15 ml sugar syrup

Method

  1. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake hard for 10–15 seconds.
  3. Double-strain into a chilled coupe.

Garnish: Lime wheel (optional, traditionally served ungarnished).

Piña Colada

BlendHurricane / Poco Grande Glass

Ingredients

  • 50 ml white rum
  • 60 ml pineapple juice
  • 30 ml coconut cream
  • 1 cup crushed ice

Method

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender.
  2. Blend until smooth and frozen in texture.
  3. Pour into a hurricane or poco grande glass.

Garnish: Pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry.

Cuba Libre

BuildHighball Glass

Ingredients

  • 50 ml white rum
  • 15 ml fresh lime juice
  • 120 ml cola, to top

Method

  1. Fill glass with ice.
  2. Add rum and lime juice.
  3. Top with cola and stir gently.

Garnish: Lime wedge.

Mai Tai

ShakeRocks / Tiki Glass

Ingredients

  • 30 ml dark rum
  • 30 ml white rum
  • 15 ml orange liqueur (triple sec / Curaçao)
  • 15 ml orgeat syrup
  • 20 ml fresh lime juice

Method

  1. Add all ingredients (reserve a portion of dark rum) to a shaker with ice.
  2. Shake hard and strain over crushed ice in a tiki or rocks glass.
  3. Float the reserved dark rum on top.

Garnish: Mint sprig, pineapple wedge, and a cherry.

4

Gin-Based Cocktails

Aromatic, elegant, and balanced — cocktails with botanical character.

Gin & Tonic

BuildHighball / Copa Glass

Ingredients

  • 50 ml gin
  • 150 ml tonic water, chilled

Method

  1. Fill glass with ice.
  2. Pour in gin, then top gently with tonic water to preserve carbonation.
  3. Stir once, lightly.

Garnish: Lime wedge or wheel.

Negroni

StirRocks Glass

Ingredients

  • 30 ml gin
  • 30 ml Campari
  • 30 ml sweet vermouth

Method

  1. Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir for 20–30 seconds.
  3. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

Garnish: Orange peel, expressed over the glass.

Tom Collins

Shake / BuildCollins Glass

Ingredients

  • 50 ml gin
  • 25 ml fresh lemon juice
  • 15 ml sugar syrup
  • Soda water, to top

Method

  1. Shake gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup with ice.
  2. Strain into an ice-filled Collins glass.
  3. Top with soda water and stir gently.

Garnish: Lemon wheel and a cherry.

Martini

StirMartini Glass

Ingredients

  • 60 ml gin
  • 10 ml dry vermouth (adjust to taste)

Method

  1. Add gin and vermouth to a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir for 20–30 seconds until well chilled.
  3. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish: Green olive or a lemon twist.

Singapore Sling

Shake / BuildHurricane Glass

Ingredients

  • 30 ml gin
  • 15 ml cherry liqueur
  • 7.5 ml Cointreau
  • 7.5 ml Bénédictine
  • 10 ml grenadine
  • 120 ml pineapple juice
  • 15 ml fresh lime juice
  • Dash of Angostura bitters

Method

  1. Shake all ingredients with ice.
  2. Strain into an ice-filled hurricane glass.

Garnish: Pineapple wedge and a cocktail cherry.

5

Tequila-Based Cocktails

Zesty, bold, and fiery — cocktails with a Mexican soul.

Margarita

ShakeMargarita / Coupe Glass

Ingredients

  • 50 ml tequila (blanco)
  • 25 ml triple sec
  • 25 ml fresh lime juice
  • Salt, for the rim (optional)

Method

  1. Rim the glass with salt, if using.
  2. Shake all ingredients with ice.
  3. Strain into the glass, over ice or up.

Garnish: Lime wheel or wedge.

Tequila Sunrise

Build / LayerHighball Glass

Ingredients

  • 50 ml tequila
  • 120 ml fresh orange juice
  • 15 ml grenadine

Method

  1. Fill glass with ice, add tequila and orange juice, stir.
  2. Slowly pour grenadine down the side or through a bar spoon so it sinks and creates the "sunrise" layer.

Garnish: Orange slice and a cocktail cherry.

Paloma

BuildHighball Glass

Ingredients

  • 50 ml tequila (blanco)
  • 15 ml fresh lime juice
  • 100 ml grapefruit soda (or fresh grapefruit juice + soda water)
  • Pinch of salt

Method

  1. Salt the rim, if desired.
  2. Fill glass with ice, add tequila and lime juice.
  3. Top with grapefruit soda and stir gently.

Garnish: Grapefruit wedge or wheel.

Tommy's Margarita

ShakeRocks Glass

Ingredients

  • 60 ml tequila (blanco)
  • 25 ml fresh lime juice
  • 15 ml agave syrup

Method

  1. Shake all ingredients hard with ice.
  2. Strain into a salt-rimmed rocks glass over fresh ice.

Garnish: Lime wheel; salt rim (half or full, per preference).

Ranch Water

BuildHighball Glass

Ingredients

  • 50 ml tequila (blanco)
  • 15 ml fresh lime juice
  • Topo Chico or sparkling mineral water, to top

Method

  1. Fill glass with ice.
  2. Add tequila and lime juice.
  3. Top with sparkling mineral water and stir gently.

Garnish: Lime wedge.

Garnish Guide

Lime WedgeCut, notched on the rim, or dropped into the glass
Lemon TwistPeeled with a channel knife, expressed over the drink for oils
Orange PeelWide swath, expressed and rubbed on the rim, then dropped or twisted
Mint LeavesSpanked between the palms to release aromatic oils before placing
OlivesSpeared on a pick, classic savoury garnish for stirred spirit-forward drinks
CherryMaraschino or brandied, speared or dropped for sweetness and colour
PineappleWedge or leaf, signature of tropical and tiki-style rum drinks

Related Reading on the Blog

Note: link the three items above to their live article URLs once published, to keep this page fully cross-linked with the beverage content on nigelthomas.live.