16 Modern classic cocktails you can make in minutes!

Discover the world of modern classic cocktails, perfect for those who love to explore unique and innovative drinks. Elevate your cocktail game with these exquisite concoctions, and experience a delightful twist on traditional classics.

Modern Classic Cocktails: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation

Why try modern classic cocktails?

  • Innovative twists: These drinks offer a refreshing take on classic cocktails, incorporating new ingredients and techniques for a truly unique experience.
  • Perfect for any occasion: Whether you're hosting a party or enjoying a night out, modern classic cocktails are versatile and sure to impress.
  • Appealing to all: With a wide variety of flavors and styles, there's a modern classic cocktail for everyone's taste.

Who would love modern classic cocktails?

  1. Cocktail enthusiasts: If you're passionate about cocktails and always on the lookout for new and exciting drinks, modern classics are a must-try.
  2. Adventurous drinkers: If you enjoy experimenting with different flavors and ingredients, these cocktails offer a perfect opportunity to broaden your horizons.
  3. Home bartenders: If you love crafting cocktails at home, modern classics can provide inspiration and challenge your skills.

When to enjoy modern classic cocktails

  • Date nights: Impress your special someone with a sophisticated and innovative drink choice.
  • Cocktail parties: Showcase your knowledge and taste by serving modern classic cocktails to your guests.
  • Celebrations: Mark a special occasion with a unique and memorable drink.

In conclusion, modern classic cocktails provide a fantastic opportunity to explore new flavors and techniques while still enjoying the familiarity of traditional drinks. Give them a try and elevate your cocktail experience to new heights.

Bramble

The Bramble cocktail is a delightful mix of sweet, sour, and fruity flavors. The gin provides a strong, herbal base, while the lemon juice adds a refreshing tartness. The blackberry liqueur and simple syrup bring a sweet, fruity balance to the drink.

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Ingredients

  • Gin: 2 oz(60ml)
  • Lemon juice: 1 oz(30ml)
  • Simple syrup: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Blackberry liqueur: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Fresh blackberries: 3
  • Garnish: Lemon Wheel

Recipe

  1. Fill an Old Fashioned glass with crushed ice
  2. In a shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup
  3. Shake well and strain the mixture over the crushed ice in the glass
  4. Drizzle blackberry liqueur over the top
  5. Stir gently to combine the ingredients
  6. Garnish with fresh blackberries and a lemon wheel

Espresso Martini

The Espresso Martini is a rich, velvety, and slightly sweet cocktail with a strong coffee flavor and a hint of bitterness. It has a creamy texture and a frothy top, making it a luxurious and indulgent drink.

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Ingredients

  • Vodka: 50ml
  • Espresso: 30ml
  • Coffee liqueur: 15ml
  • Simple syrup: 10ml
  • Ice: As needed
  • Three coffee beans: For garnish

Recipe

  1. Chill a martini glass by filling it with ice and setting it aside
  2. Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker: 50ml vodka, 30ml freshly brewed espresso, 15ml coffee liqueur, and 10ml simple syrup
  3. Fill the shaker with ice and seal it tightly
  4. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker becomes frosty
  5. Discard the ice from the martini glass and strain the cocktail into the glass
  6. Garnish with three coffee beans, arranged in a triangle on top of the frothy surface

Penicillin

The Penicillin cocktail is a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, spicy, and smoky flavors. The honey and lemon provide a bright, refreshing sweetness, while the ginger adds a warm, spicy kick. The blended Scotch whisky gives the drink a smooth, rich base, and the Islay Scotch lends a distinct smoky, peaty finish.

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Ingredients

  • Blended scotch whisky: 2 oz(60ml)
  • Lemon juice: 0.75 oz(23ml)
  • Honey ginger syrup: 0.75 oz(23ml)
  • Islay scotch whisky: 0.25 oz(8ml)
  • Candied ginger: 1 piece

Recipe

  1. Prepare honey-ginger syrup:
    • Combine equal parts honey and water in a saucepan
    • Add thinly sliced ginger and simmer for 10 minutes
    • Strain and let cool
  2. Build the cocktail:
    • In a shaker, combine blended Scotch whisky, lemon juice, and honey-ginger syrup
    • Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds
  3. Strain and serve:
    • Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice
    • Float the Islay Scotch on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon
    • Garnish with a piece of candied ginger on a cocktail pick

Bourbon Renewal

The Bourbon Renewal is a well-balanced cocktail with a mix of sweet, sour, and fruity flavors. The bourbon provides a strong, oaky backbone, while the crème de cassis adds a rich, fruity sweetness. The lemon juice and simple syrup bring a bright, tart contrast, and the Angostura bitters add depth and complexity.

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Ingredients

  • Bourbon: 2 oz(60ml)
  • Crème de cassis: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Lemon juice: 1 oz(30ml)
  • Simple syrup: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Angostura bitters: 1 dash
  • Garnish: Lemon Wheel
  • Garnish: Cherry

Recipe

  1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the following ingredients:
  • 2 oz bourbon
  • 0.5 oz crème de cassis
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 0.5 oz simple syrup
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters
  1. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well until chilled
  2. Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice
  3. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a cherry

Basil Smash

The Basil Smash is a refreshing, herbaceous, and slightly sweet cocktail with a hint of tartness from the lemon juice. The gin adds a layer of complexity with its botanical flavors, while the simple syrup balances the acidity of the lemon.

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Ingredients

  • Gin: 2 oz(60ml)
  • Fresh basil leaves: 10-12
  • Lemon juice: 1 oz(30ml)
  • Simple syrup: 0.75 oz(23ml)

Recipe

  1. In a shaker, gently muddle the basil leaves to release their oils
  2. Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker
  3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds
  4. Double strain the cocktail into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice
  5. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil and a lemon wheel

Cable Car

The Cable Car cocktail offers a delightful balance of sweet and sour flavors, with a hint of spice from the cinnamon garnish. The drink is smooth, refreshing, and moderately strong, making it a perfect choice for those who enjoy a well-rounded cocktail experience.

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Ingredients

  • Captain morgan spiced rum: 1.5 oz(45ml)
  • Orange curacao: 0.75 oz(23ml)
  • Lemon juice: 1 oz(30ml)
  • Simple syrup: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Orange twist: 1
  • Garnish with cinnamon and sugar rim:

Recipe

  1. Prepare a chilled cocktail glass by rimming it with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar
  2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the following ingredients:
  • 1.5 oz Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
  • 0.75 oz Orange Curacao
  • 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 0.5 oz simple syrup
  1. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds
  2. Strain the mixture into the prepared cocktail glass
  3. Garnish with an orange twist

Revolver

The Revolver cocktail is a rich, bold, and slightly sweet drink with a strong coffee and whiskey flavor. It has a smooth, velvety texture and a warming, boozy finish.

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Ingredients

  • Bourbon: 2 oz(60ml)
  • Coffee liqueur: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Orange bitters: 2dashes
  • Orange peel: 1

Recipe

  1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Add 2oz of bourbon, 0.5oz of coffee liqueur, and 2 dashes of orange bitters.
  3. Stir the mixture until well chilled.
  4. Strain the cocktail into a chilled old-fashioned glass with a large ice cube.
  5. Express the oils from an orange peel over the drink and garnish with the peel.

Tommy's Margarita

Tommy's Margarita has a bright, refreshing, and well-balanced taste. It is slightly sweet, with a hint of tartness from the lime juice. The agave syrup adds a natural sweetness that complements the bold flavor of the tequila, while the salt rim enhances the overall taste experience.

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Ingredients

  • Tequila: 2 oz(60ml)
  • Fresh lime juice: 1 oz(30ml)
  • Agave syrup: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Salt: 1 pinch (for rim)
  • Lime wheel: 1 (for garnish)

Recipe

  1. Prepare the glass:
  • Wet the rim of a rocks glass with a lime wedge
  • Dip the rim into a plate of salt to create a salt rim
  1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the following ingredients:
  • 2 oz tequila
  • 1 oz fresh lime juice
  • 0.5 oz agave syrup
  1. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds

  2. Strain the cocktail into the prepared rocks glass filled with fresh ice

  3. Garnish with a lime wheel on the rim of the glass

Streetcar

The Streetcar cocktail has a delightful balance of sweet and sour. The Southern Comfort brings a fruity, spicy sweetness, while the fresh lemon juice adds a zesty sour note. The Cointreau adds a hint of bitter orange flavor, making the cocktail complex and refreshing.

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Ingredients

  • Southern comfort: 1.5 oz(45ml)
  • Cointreau: 0.75 oz(23ml)
  • Fresh lemon juice: 0.75 oz(23ml)
  • Simple syrup: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Lemon twist: 1

Recipe

  1. Fill a shaker with ice.
  2. Add Southern Comfort, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup.
  3. Shake well until chilled.
  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  5. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Skeleton Key

The Skeleton Key is a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. The bourbon provides a robust base, while the elderflower liqueur adds a subtle sweetness. The lemon juice gives it a tangy kick, and the ginger beer adds a spicy fizz. The bitters round out the flavor profile, adding depth and complexity.

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Ingredients

  • Bourbon: 1.25 oz(38ml)
  • Elderflower liqueur: 0.75 oz(23ml)
  • Lemon juice: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Ginger beer: 3 oz(90ml)
  • Bitters: 8 dashes

Recipe

  1. Fill a shaker with ice.
  2. Add the bourbon, elderflower liqueur, and lemon juice.
  3. Shake until well chilled.
  4. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
  5. Top with ginger beer.
  6. Add the bitters.
  7. Stir gently to combine.
  8. Serve and enjoy.

Red Tartan

The Red Tartan is a symphony of flavors, with the smoky undertones of Scotch whisky perfectly complemented by the sweet cherry and citrus zest. It's a harmonious blend that's both bold and refreshing, with a subtle hint of spice from the Angostura bitters and a gentle effervescence from the soda.

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Ingredients

  • Blended scotch whisky: 1.5 oz(45ml)
  • Orange juice: 1 oz(30ml)
  • Cherry heering liqueur: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Sweet vermouth: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Lime juice: 0.25 oz(8ml)
  • Simple syrup: 0.25 oz(8ml)
  • Angostura bitters: 2 dashes
  • Sanpellegrino aranciata rossa soda: to top
  • Dehydrated orange wheel: 1
  • Grated nutmeg: to garnish

Recipe

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
  2. Pour in the Scotch whisky, orange juice, Cherry Heering liqueur, sweet vermouth, lime juice, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters.
  3. Shake well until the mixture is chilled.
  4. Strain into a highball or Collins glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
  5. Top with Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa soda.
  6. Garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel and a light dusting of grated nutmeg.

London Calling

The London Calling cocktail offers a harmonious blend of nutty and dry notes from the Sherry, complemented by the botanical complexity of the gin. The lemon juice adds a refreshing acidity, while the sugar syrup provides a subtle sweetness. The orange bitters give a citrusy depth, and the grapefruit twist contributes a fragrant zestiness.

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Ingredients

  • Sherry cask gin: 1.35 oz(41ml)
  • Fresh lemon juice: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Fino sherry: 0.34 oz(10ml)
  • Sugar syrup: 0.34 oz(10ml)
  • Orange bitters: 2 dashes
  • Ruby grapefruit twist: 1 garnish

Recipe

  1. Shake Ingredients
    • Combine 1.35oz of Sherry Cask Gin, 0.5oz of fresh lemon juice, 0.34oz of Fino Sherry, 0.34oz of sugar syrup, and 2 dashes of orange bitters in a shaker.
  2. Ice
    • Add ice to the shaker.
  3. Shake
    • Shake the mixture vigorously.
  4. Strain
    • Fine strain into a chilled coupette.
  5. Garnish
    • Garnish with a twist of ruby grapefruit.

Midnight Stroll

The Midnight Stroll is a symphony of flavors. It's robust and warm from the rye whiskey, with a pronounced bitterness from the Campari. The Amaro Ramazzotti adds a complex herbal sweetness, while the dry curaçao provides a subtle citrusy backdrop. The Peychaud's Bitters tie everything together with its light anise and floral notes.

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Ingredients

  • Rye whiskey: 1.5 oz(45ml)
  • Campari: 0.75 oz(23ml)
  • Amaro ramazzotti: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Pierre ferrand dry curaçao: 0.25 oz(8ml)
  • Peychaud's bitters: Dash
  • Orange twist: Garnish

Recipe

  1. Fill a rocks glass with ice.
  2. Add 1.5 oz of rye whiskey.
  3. Measure and pour 0.75 oz of Campari.
  4. Add 0.5 oz of Amaro Ramazzotti.
  5. Pour in 0.25 oz of Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao.
  6. Add a dash of Peychaud's Bitters.
  7. Stir the mixture until well chilled.
  8. Express the oils of an orange twist over the glass, and drop it in as garnish.
  9. Serve and enjoy the complexity.

Bourbon Lift

The Bourbon Lift offers a creamy texture with a rich, nutty sweetness balanced by the boldness of the bourbon. The effervescence of the club soda provides a refreshing finish to this indulgent cocktail.

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Ingredients

  • Bourbon: 1.5 oz(45ml)
  • Coffee liqueur: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Heavy cream: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Orgeat: 0.5 oz(15ml)
  • Club soda: To Top

Recipe

  1. Combine 1 1/2 ounces of bourbon, 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur, 1/2 ounce heavy cream, and 1/2 ounce orgeat in a shaker.
  2. Dry-shake vigorously for 10 seconds without ice.
  3. Add ice to the shaker and shake again until well-chilled.
  4. Strain into a Collins glass.
  5. Gently top with chilled club soda, pouring from a height to create a 'lift' of foam.
  6. Add a final splash of soda to ensure a frothy head rises above the glass.
  7. Serve with a straw.

Irish Blonde

The Irish Blonde offers a harmonious blend of sweet, citrusy, and nutty flavors with a smooth whiskey base. The orange curaçao provides a sweet and tangy citrus note, while the fino sherry adds a delicate nutty dryness. The orange bitters give a spicy complexity, and the flamed orange peel garnish introduces a hint of caramelized zest. Overall, it's a well-balanced, medium-bodied cocktail with a sophisticated edge.

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Ingredients

  • Irish whiskey: 2 oz(60ml)
  • Orange curaçao: 0.75 oz(23ml)
  • Fino sherry: 0.25 oz(8ml)
  • Orange bitters: 1dash
  • Flamed orange peel: 1garnish

Recipe

  1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Pour in the Irish whiskey, orange curaçao, fino sherry, and orange bitters.
  3. Stir the mixture until well-chilled.
  4. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  5. Garnish with a flamed orange peel.

Laphroaig Penicillin

The Laphroaig Penicillin is a symphony of bold flavors. It's smoky, thanks to the Laphroaig, with a spicy kick from the ginger syrup. The lemon juice adds a refreshing tartness, while the honey rounds it out with a touch of sweetness.

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Ingredients

  • Auchentoshan american oak single malt scotch whisky: 2 oz(60ml)
  • Lemon juice: 0.75 oz(23ml)
  • Honey ginger syrup: 0.75 oz(23ml)
  • Laphroaig select: 0.25 oz(8ml)
  • Candied ginger: 1 piece

Recipe

  1. Combine Auchentoshan, lemon juice, and honey-ginger syrup in a cocktail shaker.
  2. Fill the shaker three-quarters full with ice.
  3. Shake well until chilled.
  4. Strain into a cocktail glass over fresh ice.
  5. Gently float the Laphroaig on top.
  6. Garnish with candied ginger or a lemon twist.

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