10 of the Most Iconic Cocktails

We order these cocktails all the time, with their clever names and their familiar taste combinations.  But where did they actually come from? Have the ingredients evolved over time? Why is it that these particular cocktails are popular with so many people across the country, and even throughout the world?  We decided to look for the answers to these questions and had a great time researching and learning more about some of the world’s all-time, most iconic drinks. 

Old Fashioned

Originated in the US, more specifically in New York. Some claim it was invented in Kentucky and brought to New York City to the Waldorf Astoria Bar by Colonel James E Pepper.  The main ingredients are whiskey, bitters, water and sugar, and garnished with an orange or lemon peel twist. If you have ever seen an episode of Mad Men, then you surely can’t think about an Old Fashioned without thinking about Don Draper.  The Old Fashioned is an old drink that has become popular again, due in part to the huge popularity of the show. It is the official cocktail of the state of Kentucky.

Cosmopolitan

Originated in the US and several people take credit for contributing to both its creation and its popularity.  While there are variations of the Cosmo that include Gin and other liquors, there is one traditional recipe. A Cosmopolitan is vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and either fresh-squeezed lime juice or sweetened lime juice.  It is served straight up with a lemon twist. Sarah Jessica Parker and the cast of Sex and the City catapulted the Cosmo back into the limelight as it was their signature drink throughout the show’s many seasons.

Margarita

The Margarita originated in Mexico, more specifically in Baja California, the area between Tijuana and Rosarito.  Some argue that the drink was concocted by various other people and even that the Margarita is a copycat drink of the American cocktail, Daisy, with tequila instead of brandy.  (Margarita is the Spanish word for “Daisy”). In any event, the drink is popular on both sides of the border and is typically made with tequila, Cointreau and lime juice. It can be served blended or on the rocks and the glass usually has a salted rim. 

Manhatten

Like some of the drinks we have mentioned, there is some discussion as to who technically invented the Manhattan, but there’s much less dispute as to its place of origin. The Manhattan originated in the city that shares its namesake.  The cocktail is made with Rye whiskey (sometimes substituted with other whiskeys or bourbon), sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters. It is served straight up in a cocktail glass and garnished with a cherry. Some variations include moonshine, dark rum or brandy instead of whiskey.

Moscow Mule

A Moscow Mule by any other name is, well, a different type of mule.  There are so many drinks that model the Moscow Mule but replace the vodka with another liquor.  The traditional Moscow Mule was born out of the Little Moscow section of New York and consists of vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer.  A Glasgow mule uses whiskey and St. Germain. A Mexican mule uses tequila. A Jamaican mule uses spiced rum. The list goes on. But the popular version is the traditional recipe served in a copper mug on the rocks.

Mojito

Mojitos are distinctly Cuban.  The recipe calls for white rum, lime juice, sugar or simple syrup, soda water and a sprig of mint.  The cocktail is served over ice and is especially popular during the summer when the Havana heat leaves people desiring a refreshing drink.  Here in the states, we have many versions of the Mojito, including the Cojito which contains coconut flavored rum, berry Mojitos, peach mojitos, you get the picture.  Americans definitely love the Mojito, and now that the rules have changed, more and more Americans are getting the chance to taste a Cuban made Mojito while sitting on a Cuban beach.

Gimlet

Originated in Britain.  The story goes that the British Royal Navy served a drink, later called the Gimlet, made up of 114 proof gin and lime juice, to soldiers in hopes to thwart the symptoms of scurvy.  Later it was mentioned in a novel that the lime juice used in a Gimlet had to be Rose’s lime juice in order to be authentic. Some bartenders now make a vodka Gimlet, replacing the gin.  This cocktail is another revived drink, made more popular by throwback TV shows and speakeasy type bars. It can be served straight up or on the rocks.

Sidecar

Believed to have been named by an American soldier in Paris during WWI, referencing the sidecar on a motorcycle driven by his superior.  Rivaling stories claim it was conceived in London or Paris, more specifically at the Ritz in Paris. A traditional Sidecar is made up of equal parts Cointreau, lemon juice and cognac, and is served straight up.  A variation of the sidecar is cognac, triple sec and lemon juice.  

Sazerac

While there are many tales associated with this cocktail, it is safe to say it originated in New Orleans, specifically in the French Quarter.  It was traditionally made up of Sazerac cognac, absinthe, sugar and Peychaud’s bitters. It is the official cocktail of the state of Louisiana and is thought to be one of the original simple cocktails, that became less popular as time went on, Prohibition ended, and there was access to a wider array of ingredients with to produce more original drinks.

Negroni

Originated in Italy, more especially in Florence, between Count Camillo Negroni and his bartender, Forsco Scarselli.  The original Negroni, on which there haven’t been many variations at all, is gin, vermouth, Campari and a fresh orange peel.  While the color appears misleadingly sweet, the cocktail has a strong alcohol taste and has come back into popularity with a lot of the old drinks like the Old Fashioned and the Gimlet.  The distillery in Italy, owned by the Negroni family, is still open to this day.

There are many Prohibition-style, speakeasy bars right now, serving up a lot of the classic cocktails on this list.  Polite Provisions on 30^th Street in the North Park area of San Diego, The Varnish on East 6^th in downtown Los Angeles and Bourbon & Branch on Jones Street in San Francisco, just to name a few.  Prohibition is a romanticized time in this country and people love to try and put themselves back in that era and imagine what it would be like to have to sneak around to drink a cocktail. 

Next time you’re out and you order one of these iconic drinks, see how much your bartender knows about where it came from and pay attention to whether he/she uses the classic recipe or their own modern twist.  Better yet, try your hand at whipping a couple of them up at home. It’s always nice to have a signature cocktail or two that you’re good at making, especially if you like to entertain. 

Thanks for reading, and cheers!