Classic Cocktails – A Beautiful Mess

Classic Cocktails are defined as recipes that have withstood the test of time. Many of these are historic recipes, while some are from more recent decades. Classic cocktails are definitive recipes that you can order at pretty much any bar in the world. In short, these are the most world-famous cocktails.

In this post, we’ve gathered more than 50 classic cocktail recipes for you to make at home!

Related: Party Shot Recipes, Mixed Drink Recipes, After Dinner Drinks.

Piña Colada

Classic rum-based cocktail made with three ingredients: rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice.

French Martini

The French Martini is a classy cocktail that only needs three ingredients: vodka, pineapple juice, and raspberry liqueur. 

Tom Collins

If you’ve never had a Tom Collins before, it is essentially a spiked lemonade drink. It’s made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda or Sprite. 

Greyhound Drink

Learn to make a two-ingredient Greyhound Cocktail at home!

Lemon Drop Martini

You’ll love this classic recipe made with vodka, orange liqueur, lemon juice and simple syrup. It’s easy and quick to mix up at home.

Irish Coffee

Irish coffee, a delightful blend of coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and whipped cream, is a classic beverage that I was first introduced to in college back when I could drink coffee at night and still sleep. 

Gin Fizz Cocktail

The Gin Fizz is a delicious cocktail that’s a must try for any gin lover. With its sweet and sour notes, gin-forward taste, sparkling fizz, and foamy top, this drink has it all.

Caipirinha

The Caipirinha is the national drink of Brazil consisting of only three ingredients: cachaça, lime, and sugar.

Peach Bellini

Fresh Peach Bellini with sparkling wine, peach puree, and raspberry.

Vodka Martini

Three ways to make the best at-home vodka martini.

Mint Mojito Recipe

The best at-home Mint Mojito recipe made with homemade simple syrup and other fresh ingredients.

Moscow Mule Cocktail

Make the classic Moscow Mule cocktail with only three simple ingredients!

Kir Royale

The Kir Royale is a classic cocktail that only needs two ingredients: champagne and crème de cassis (a blackcurrant liqueur). 

Harvey Wallbanger Cocktail

Learn to mix a Harvey Wallbanger using vodka, orange juice and Galliano L’Autentico.

Strawberry Daiquiri

A Strawberry Daiquiri is a classic blended cocktail featuring strawberries, sugar, white rum, and lime.

Grasshopper Cocktail

A delicious and creamy mint and chocolate after-dinner cocktail

Classic Daiquiri

Ask any bartender or cocktail guru what THE quintessential rum cocktail is and the answer will always be the daiquiri.

Cuba Libre

Learn to make a classic Cube Libre at home.

Cosmopolitan Drink Recipe

A Cosmo is a balanced cocktail made with vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice and fresh lime juice.

Whiskey Sours

Whiskey Sour recipe made with sour mix and no egg whites.

Aviation Cocktail

Learn to make the classic Aviation Cocktail using gin, maraschino liqueur, creme de violette liqueur and lemon juice.

Negroni Cocktail

Learn to make a classic Negroni cocktail at home.

Tequila Sunrise

Learn to make a Tequila Sunrise cocktail with only three ingredients.

Dry Martini

The classic Dry Martini has been around for decades and it’s not going away anytime soon. This simple cocktail is made up of gin as a base with a splash of dry vermouth to add a little tartness to the drink. 

Dirty Martini

There are few drinks more classic than a Dirty Martini. The simple combination of gin (or vodka!), dry vermouth, and olive brine packs a punch that’s been adorning cocktail tables for decades.

Frozen Margarita Recipe

A slushy refreshing frozen margarita with fresh lime and only five ingredients.

Boulevardier Cocktail

Let’s learn the classic recipe for a Boulevardier cocktail. Using Campari, bourbon (or rye whiskey) and sweet vermouth you can mix this stiff, flavorful cocktail.

White Russian

Learn to make a White Russian cocktail at home.

Sazerac

Learn to make a classic New Orleans Sazerac cocktail at home.

Mai Tai

Learn to make a classic Mai Tai at home.

Amaretto Sour

How to make an Amaretto Sour at home

Aperol Spritz

If you’ve never tried an Aperol Spritz before, I LOVE them and highly recommend. It’s made of three ingredients: Aperol + Prosecco + club soda and then garnished with an orange wedge.

Rusty Nail Cocktail

Learn to make a Rusty Nail cocktail at home.

The Bramble Cocktail

The Bramble is a blackberry-based cocktail that’s rather simple to make and is nicely balanced in flavor. It was invented in the 1980s by Dick Bradsell at Fred’s Soho Club in London, but is actually a spin on a more classic cocktail called a Fix.

Classic Bloody Mary

Create a classic Bloody Mary cocktail at home, heavy on the garnishes.

Vieux Carré Cocktail

Learn to make a classic Vieux Carré cocktail at home.

Sidecar Drink

Learn to make a classic Sidecar cocktail.

Brandy Alexander

Learn to make a Brandy Alexander using brandy (or cognac), creme de cacao and cream. Garnish with fresh nutmeg. 

Black Russian

Learn to mix a Black Russian cocktail at home.

Last Word Cocktail

Learn to make the classic Last Word Cocktail using gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur and fresh lime juice.

B-52 Shot

Learn to make a B-52 shot (or cocktail) using Kahlua, Bailey’s and Grand Marnier orange liqueur. Set on fire to serve (optional). 

Bee’s Knees Cocktail

Learn to make a classic Bee’s Knees cocktail with three ingredients.

Army & Navy Cocktail

The Army & Navy cocktail is perfect for spring weather and is only a few ingredients. Let’s get shaking!

Classic Gimlet Cocktail

Learn to make a classic Gimlet using lime juice, gin and simple syrup.

Long Island Iced Tea

Learn to make a Long Island Iced Tea at home.

Screwdriver Drink

I’ll teach you to make this classic recipe with correct proportions as well as fun variations.

Old Fashioned Cocktail

Today, I’m going to share my favorite classic cocktail, the Bourbon Old Fashioned. The Old Fashioned has been my go-to for years and learning to make a perfect Old Fashioned at home has been such a fun process.

Manhattan Drink

The classic Manhattan cocktail was the most famous drink recipe shortly after its birth at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the 1880s. 

Mint Julep

Learn to make a classic Mint Julep cocktail using bourbon, simple syrup, crushed ice, fresh mint leaves and bitters.