Classic Cocktails Recipe

Build and stir

Place simple syrup and Angostura bitters in a rocks glass. Add the large ice cube, pour 2 oz bourbon or rye over the ice, and gently stir 20–30 seconds to chill and slightly dilute. Express the orange peel over the drink to release oils, wipe the rim with the peel, then drop it into the glass as garnish.

Stir and strain

Fill a mixing glass with chilled ice. Add chilled gin and dry vermouth. Stir for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted. Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist (express oils over the drink) or a green olive on a pick.

Build and stir

In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Stir 20–30 seconds until chilled and slightly diluted. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice (or a large ice cube). Express an orange peel over the drink, rub the rim with it, and drop it in as garnish.

Prepare rim

Rub a lime wedge around the edge of a rocks or coupe glass and dip rim into salt to coat. Set aside.

Shake and serve

Add tequila, Cointreau (or triple sec), fresh lime juice, and ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for 10–15 seconds until well chilled. Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice or serve neat in a chilled coupe. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Muddle mint

In a highball glass, gently muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup and fresh lime juice — press enough to release oils but not shred the leaves.

Add rum and ice

Add white rum, then fill the glass with crushed ice. Stir briefly to combine and chill.

Top and garnish

Top with club soda, stir once to integrate, and garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.

Dry shake (if using egg white)

If using egg white, add bourbon, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white to a shaker and shake vigorously without ice for 10–15 seconds to emulsify.

Shake with ice

Add ice to the shaker and shake again for 10–15 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted. Double strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice (or serve up in a coupe). Garnish with 2 drops of Angostura bitters on the foam and, if desired, a lemon wheel or cherry.