35 Drinks to Order at a Bar If You Wanna Look Like You Actually Know What You're Doing

Perhaps no cocktail is as aesthetically pleasing as the classic martini. I mean...the frosty glass! The olive pick! The standard version is a mix of gin and vermouth—shaken or stirred—with an olive or lemon twist. Some people trade the gin for vodka, and others spice things up and incorporate some additional ingredients/flavors. My personal favorite? The espresso martini, which adds espresso shots and coffee liqueur to the recipe.

Just so you don't get it twisted, I'm not referring to a frozen daiquiri situation here. "A classic daiquiri is made with rum, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. It’s very easy to drink," says Goto, adding that it's a go-to for off-duty bartenders when they hit up a bar.

Okay, who is she?! That’s what everyone will be saying when they lay eyes on you as you sip one of the sexiest cocktails of them all. It only requires three ingredients—Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth—which blend into a reddish-orange drink. If the bartender serves it up with an orange peel twist and one big ice cube, you know you’re at a nice place.

I don't even need to describe an Aperol Spritz (it's 2023, after all), but I am here to tell you that it's one of many ways in which you can prepare a Spritz. "In its classic form, a Spritz is a cocktail made with an Italian aperitivo (like Aperol), sparkling wine, and sparkling water, though there are now many variations on that recipe," Goto says. Basically, it's the perfect brunch or happy hour starter.

Did you really think we’d tell you what to order and not include a classic Cosmo? Of course not. A typical Cosmopolitan is made with vodka, an orange-flavored liqueur called triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice. It might be a little strong for beginner drinkers, but you can def work your way up to this one.

Egg whites in a cocktail might not seem yummy, but trust me, it works. It’s one of the main ingredients in a whiskey sour, along with whiskey (duh), lemon juice, and simple syrup. If you go somewhere fancy, they’ll likely squeeze the lemons and crack the eggs right in front of you. If you’re somewhere a little divey, they’ll probably just mix a shot of whiskey with a pre-made sour mix. Both are good, tbh!

If you didn’t already see this drink on the most recent season of Emily in Paris (remember when Emily tried to get Champére into the canned cocktail business?), allow me to introduce you. The Kir Royale is a pink cocktail that requires just two ingredients: sparkling wine and crème de cassis, a tart red liqueur made from blackcurrants. It’s fruity, fizzy, and f*cking delicious. (Just don’t drink too many if bubbles give you a headache!)

Idk about you, but I feel classy just saying this one. "A French 75 is made with gin, lemon, simple syrup, and topped with champagne," says Goto. "It's a great cocktail for when you feel like celebrating, but also good to order on any night out."

Nothing screams summer quite like a mojito! The basic recipe is rum, simple syrup, lime juice, club soda, and mint, but other fruits are often added to the mix, like pineapple, mango, strawberry, or cucumber.

This boozy baby is def meant to be sipped, not chugged. "An Old Fashioned is made with either bourbon or rye whiskey, angostura bitters (essentially a mix of herbs and spices dissolved in alcohol), and a touch of sugar," Goto says. "It's a classic that is definitely worth trying."

Perhaps the most silent but deadly on this list, a Long Island Iced Tea is a sweet combo of so many different liquors it’s almost concerning. Believe it or not, there’s actually no iced tea in a Long Island iced tea—it’s vodka, tequila, rum, triple sec, gin, and a little bit of Coke. And somehow, it tastes really freakin’ delicious. Where I come from, you order a LIIT if you wanna get, well, lit. Use that information as you wish.

If you've never had a Paloma, get yourself to a bar ASAP. "It's made with tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda," explains Goto. And if you can find a bar serving it up with fresh grapefruit juice, even better.

Wanna order something slightly less college than a vodka cran? Try a vodka gimlet. "It's made with vodka, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup, though you can also make it with gin," says Goto. "It's like a daiquiri, but the rum is replaced with vodka".

Need something yummy to order during brunch? You can never, ever go wrong with a bellini, made with prosecco and peach purée. Sweet, bubbly, and deliciously fruity, it's a drink order you will absolutely not regret.

You don’t have to be in New York to order a Manhattan (although, tbh, it’s more fun when you are). The cocktail requires just three ingredients: whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. But if you get a good one, it’ll also include a fourth ingredient: a maraschino cherry for garnish. This baby is definitely strong and a little bitter, but it’s also super sexy. If it suits your tastebuds, you’ll look like a badass with every sip.

The mimosa is the legitimate queen of brunch cocktails. It's so simple...just sparkling wine and OJ. Pro tip if you're doing bottomless brunch: do not schedule anything for the rest of the afternoon. Mimosas are often accompanied by midday naps (speaking from experience).

The G&T is another staple you could literally order at any bar on earth. The most basic version is made with gin, tonic water (pretty much club soda with a lil added sugar), and some lime, though fancier recipes might add other fruit and mint.

I don't think I need to convince you to order a margarita, aka the greatest possible way to consume tequila and lime juice. They're delicious when accompanied by chips and guac, which is great because they can catch up to you fast, so you should always sip them with food, IMO.

Goto calls this bubbly cocktail (pronounced spahl-yah-toe, btw)—made with Campari, sweet vermouth, and prosecco—the perfect first-date order. "These cocktails are sophisticated, so you’ll look good without looking like you’re trying too hard," he says. "And they're generally not too boozy, so you can assess how your date is going after the first drink or two before you decide what to order next." Honestly, that's the move.

Look at that pretty ombré! You can barely taste the tequila in a Tequila Sunrise because it's mixed with orange juice and grenadine (you know, the sweet red syrup in Shirley Temples?). These go down like juice, jsyk.