10 Classic Cocktail Recipes Every Home Bartender Should Master

If you consider yourself a home bartender, make sure you know how to make popular cocktails for your guests (or yourself). At Joe Canal’s in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, we carry a wide selection of spirits that you can use to stock your home bar and be ready for cocktail-making. Here, we share ten classic cocktail recipes that you should master for entertaining.

1. Martini

A martini is a classic cocktail that many people enjoy. To make a classic shaken martini, you’ll need:

• 2-½ ounces gin
• ½-ounce dry vermouth
• Ice
• Garnish like olives or lemon (optional)

Before you mix your martini, put your glass in the freezer to chill it. Then, simply pour the gin and dry vermouth into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake for 10 seconds. Pour it into your martini glass and garnish it with a lemon peel or speared olives.

2. Old-Fashioned Cocktail

The old-fashioned cocktail is one of the most well-known whiskey drinks. To make it, you’ll need:

• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 dashes of bitters
• 1 teaspoon water
• 2 ounces bourbon (or rye whiskey)
• Orange twist for garnish

First, you’ll pour the sugar and bitters into a mixing glass and add water, stirring until the sugar is nearly dissolved. Then, add ice and bourbon to your glass and stir until well-chilled. You can then strain it into a glass over a large ice cube and add an orange twist for garnish.

3. Margarita

A margarita is a cocktail that many people enjoy and it’s simple to make. To do so, you’ll use:

• 2 ounces of tequila
• 1 ounce of triple sec
• ¾-ounce lime juice
• Ice
• Salt

If you enjoy salt on your margarita, first rim your glass with lime juice and salt. Then, you’ll shake the liquids and ice in a shaker, pour them into your glass, and enjoy!

4. Manhattan

Another popular cocktail choice is the Manhattan, which is made with:

• 2 ounces rye whiskey
• ½-ounce sweet vermouth
• 1 dash bitters
• Ice
• 1 maraschino cherry

Simply combine the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters in a cocktail mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Then, strain it into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish it with a maraschino cherry.

5. Cosmopolitan

Another simple-to-make classic cocktail is the cosmopolitan, which is made with:

• 1-½ ounces vodka
• 1-½ ounces cranberry juice
• ½-ounce orange-flavored liqueur
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
• Ice

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and the rest of your ingredients, cover, and shake until chilled. Then, strain the mixture into a chilled glass and garnish with a lime twist if you desire.

6. Mojito

If you’re looking to make a refreshing cocktail, consider making a mojito. This Cuban cocktail is made with:

• 1-½ ounces white rum
• ½ cup club soda
• 10 fresh mint leaves
• ½ medium lime
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• Ice

You first have to muddle the mint leaves and lime together, then add the sugar and muddle again. Add ice to the glass, pour in rum, and top it off with club soda.

7. Bloody Mary

If you’re looking for a cocktail for brunch, a bloody Mary is a great option. To make this flavorful drink, you’ll need:

• 2 ounces vodka
• ¼-ounce fresh lemon juice
• Dashes of salt and black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon horseradish
• 2 dashes of Tabasco sauce
• 3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
• 4 ounces tomato juice

First, mix the ingredients in a shaker and fill with ice, shaking until chilled. Then, you can strain it into a glass with fresh ice and garnish it with celery, a bacon strip, cheese, etc.

8. Gin and Tonic

A gin and tonic, or G&T, is another classic cocktail that is easy to whip up. You’ll need:

• 2 ounces gin
• 4 ounces tonic water
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• Ice

Simply place ice in a tall glass, pour the gin over it, and then add the tonic water and lime juice. Stir well and add a lime wedge for garnish if you’re feeling fancy.

9. Negroni

Impress your guests by making a Negroni, a classic Italian cocktail. You’ll use:

• 1-ounce gin
• 1 ounce Campari
• 1-ounce sweet vermouth
• Orange peel for garnish

First, add the gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a glass filled with ice and stir until it’s chilled. Then, strain it into a glass over a large ice cube and garnish with an orange peel.

10. Moscow Mule

Another classic cocktail is a Moscow Mule, which is typically served in a copper mug to keep it cool. You’ll need:

• 1-½ ounces vodka
• ½ ounce lime juice
• ½ cup ginger beer
• Ice
• 1 lime wedge for garnish

To start, pour the vodka and lime juice into the mug, then add ginger beer and ice, stirring to combine. You can also add a lime wedge for garnish.

Stock Up on Spirits for Classic Cocktail Recipes

Whatever type of spirits you need for your classic cocktail recipes, you can find them in the wide-ranging selection at Joe Canal’s in Lawrenceville, NJ. You can also stock up on beer, wine, hard seltzers, and more. To learn more, contact us today.