Mixology is both an art and a science, with recipes having been perfected – down to the ounce – throughout history. There are a few classic co*cktails that every bartender or budding mixologist should know. These simple co*cktails are listed below. Take a peek and start – or enhance – your co*cktail journey by memorizing these essential co*cktails.
Daiquiri
3 ingredients, plus ice make one of the most iconic and simple co*cktails in the world.
- 2 oz Coppercraft Rum
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.5 oz simple syrup
Combine rum, lime juice, and simple syrup in shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into co*cktail glass.
Read full instructions and recipe here.
Whiskey Sour
A beautifully simple co*cktail that depends on the balance between unique and strong flavors.
- 2 oz Coppercraft Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- .75 oz fresh lemon juice
- .75 oz simple syrup
- 1 orange wheel, garnish
- Maraschino cherry, garnish
Combine Coppercraft Straight Bourbon Whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a co*cktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously until outside of shaker is very cold (approximately 20 seconds). Strain co*cktail through a Hawthorne strainer or slotted spoon into an Old Fashioned or rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with orange wheel and cherry.
Read full instructions and recipe here.
Bloody Mary
Includes a long list of ingredients and a famously endless list of acceptable garnishes.
- 16 oz Coppercraft Vodka
- 64 oz tomato juice
- 4 oz lemon juice
- 2 oz lime juice
- 1 oz worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp hot pepper sauce
- .5 oz prepared horseradish, optional
Combine the first seven ingredients in a pitcher. Stir in horseradish, if desired. For each serving, pour about 1 cup over ice with 2 oz Coppercraft Vodka. Add optional garnishes as desired.
Read full instructions and recipe here.
Sazerac
A classic whiskey co*cktail that’s been in circulation for nearly 200 years.
- Absinthe, to rinse
- 1 sugar cube
- .5 tsp cold water
- 3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1.25 oz Coppercraft Rye Whiskey
- 1.25 oz cognac
- Lemon peel, garnish
Rinse a chilled rocks glass with absinthe, discarding any excess, and set aside. In a mixing glass, muddle the sugar cube, water, and the Peychaud’s and Angostura bitters. Add the Coppercraft Rye and cognac, fill the mixing glass with ice. Stir until well-chilled and strain into the prepared glass. Twist the lemon peel over the drink’s surface to express the peel’s oils, then garnish with the peel.
Read full instructions and recipe here.
Sex on the Beach
Known for its bright and fruity flavor, as well as its cheeky name, this co*cktail is a time machine to transport you to a 1980’s beach bar.
- 1.5 oz Coppercraft Vodka
- .5 oz Peach Schnapps
- .5 oz Chambord or creme de cassis (optional)
- 1.5 oz orange juice, freshly squeezed
- 1.5 oz cranberry juice
- co*cktail umbrella, garnish
Combine Coppercraft Vodka, peach schnapps, Chambord (if using), orange juice, and cranberry juice in a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a co*cktail umbrella.
Read full instructions and recipe here.
Tom Collins
A step above the two-ingredient Gin and Tonic, this basic co*cktail is one every gin lover should know.
- 2 oz Coppercraft Gin
- 1 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- .5 oz simple syrup
- Club soda, to top
- Lemon wheel, garnish
- Maraschino cherry, garnish
Add Coppercraft Gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a Collins glass. Fill with ice, top with club soda, and stir. Garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry.
Read full instructions and recipe here.
Manhattan
The whiskey cousin of the martini and one of the most famous co*cktails in the world, thanks to 1880s high society.
- 2 oz Coppercraft Rye Whiskey
- 1 oz sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Brandied cherry (or lemon twist), garnish
Add Coppercraft Rye Whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled Nick & Nora or coupe glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry (or a lemon twist).
Read full instructions and recipe here.
Mai Tai
Colorful layers and a 3-ingredient garnish of pineapple, cherry, and mint impress your guests and your tastebuds.
- 1 oz Coppercraft Rum
- 1 oz amber rum (preferably Jamaican, a dark rum will also do)
- .75 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
- .5 oz orange Curaçao (Cointreau or Triple Sec also work)
- .5 oz orgeat
- Crushed ice
- Mint, garnish
- Pineapple slice, garnish
- Maraschino cherry, garnish
Add all the liquid ingredients, except for the dark rum, to a co*cktail shaker and fill the shaker with crushed ice. Shake the drink until the shaker is almost too cold to hold. Pour the entire contents of the shaker, including the ice, into an old-fashioned glass. Float the dark rum over the top. Garnish with mint, pineapple slice, and maraschino cherry.
Read full instructions and recipe here.
These classic co*cktails may appear extravagant, but they’re all surprisingly simple and certainly tasty. Impress your friends with a dependable classic and remember: practice makes perfect!
Find Coppercraft spirits for making classic co*cktails at our tasting rooms or in a store near you. Join our mailing list to stay up to date with the latest from Coppercraft Distillery. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more information.
