The 35 Most Popular Drinks to Order at a Bar in 2024
The classics remain classics for a reason.
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It's all too easy to get stuck in a drink rut. Maybe your local watering hole makes the best whiskey sour, or has a shockingly good beer and shot combo that has you thinking, why try anything else? As someone who's almost exclusively ordered dirty martinis for the past year at bars, I understand the temptation to stick with the libation you know best. But it's a new season, which means it's the perfect time to mix up your bar go-to. Below, we've rounded up the most popular drinks you should order next time you're enjoying a night out. Need a new spot? Check out our recs for the very best bars in America.
Some of these—like the eye-catching Cosmopolitan or a classic Old Fashioned—are ones you're undoubtedly familiar with. Consider this your invitation to revisit them in 2023. Others might be new to you, but we promise, they're all pretty simple. No matter what your spirit of choice is, there's sure to be a drink here you'll enjoy. And in case your version of "ordering from a bartender" is "going to your bar cart and mixing up a cocktail to sip while catching up on Succession," we've included the ingredients you'll need for each cocktail, plus how to make them.
Here are 35 drinks to order the next time you're at a bar. If you're in search of even more, we've got an entire library of classic cocktail recipes.
Dirty Martini
- Nothing hits the spot quite like a bold, briny martini. Pro tip: Ask your bartender to make it "extra dirty" (meaning, with extra olive juice).
Ingredients
• 2 oz. gin
• 1/4 oz. extra dry vermouth
• 1/4 oz. olive juice
Directions
Combine the gin, vermouth, and olive juice in a mixing tin with ice. Stir well. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with as many olives as you'd like.
Vodka Gimlet
This simple cocktail is perfect if you're ready to upgrade from your go-to vodka soda. It's bracing, sweet, and a little sour.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. vodka
• 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz. simple syrup
Directions
Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with cracked ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with a lime wheel.
Read More
Vodka Guide
Honey Bee
This citrus-y, sweet drink made with honey and white rum is best enjoyed during the first truly glorious day of spring.
Ingredients
• 1/2 tbsp. honey
• 1/2 tbsp. water
• 2 oz. white rum (you can substitute golden rum or dark Jamaican rum)
• 1/2 oz. lemon juice
Directions
Stir honey with warm water in a cocktail shaker until the honey is thoroughly dissolved. Add the rum and lemon juice, then shake with cracked ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
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Rum Guide
Rosita
This complex cocktail with Mexican, Italian, and Trinidadian influences is perfect for summer.
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 tequila reposado
• 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth
• 1/2 oz. dry vermouth
• 1/2 oz. Campari
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
Directions
Stir ingredients with cracked ice in a mixing tin until chilled. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass over cubed ice. Garnish with a citrus twist.
Read More
Tequila Guide
Champagne Cocktail
Sure, you could just order a glass of champagne. Or, you can request this champagne cocktail, which brings bitters, lemon, and a little bit of sugar into the equation.
Ingredients
• Brut champagne
• 1 sugar cube
• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
• Lemon twist
Directions
Place a sugar cube in a chilled champagne flute, lash it with 2 or 3 dashes of bitters, and fill the glass with brut champagne. Squeeze a lemon twist on top, then use as garnish.
Painkiller
Forget wasting away in Margaritaville: Change things up with this creamy rum cocktail made with two kinds of fruit juice.
Ingredients
• 3 oz. dark or gold rum
• 2 1/2 oz. pineapple juice
• 1 oz. orange juice
• 1 oz. coconut cream
Directions
Shake ingredients well with ice in cocktail shaker. Strain into a hurricane glass over fresh ice. Garnish with grated nutmeg.
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Rum Guide
Cape Codder
Down these classic cocktails while you're sporting boat shoes and a preppy sweater around your shoulders to really nail the vibe. But don't be too intimidated: It's basically a vodka cran.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. vodka
• 2-3 oz. cranberry juice cocktail
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• Club soda
Directions
Pour vodka, cranberry juice, and lime juice into a Collins glass over ice. Stir. Top with club soda, then garnish with a lime wedge.
Gold Rush
Pro tip: Choose a bourbon you're fond of, since those flavors will truly shine in this simple, straightforward cocktail.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. bourbon
• 3/4 oz. lemon juice
• 3/4 oz. honey
Directions
Combine the ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Read More
Bourbon Guide
Cosmopolitan
Yeah, yeah, we won't remind you that this classic cocktail was popularized by Sex and the City. All you really need to know is that it's every bit as enticing as it looks.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. Cointreau
• 1 oz. cranberry juice
• 1 oz. Rose's lime juice
Directions
Shake the ingredients in a shaker with cracked ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, then garnish with lime.
Gin Rickey
If you love an herbaceous cocktail, cool down with a simple gin rickey this summer. It's only three ingredients, and they combine beautifully for a refreshing drink.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. gin
• 1/2 fresh lime
• 6 oz. club soda (to top off)
Directions
Squeeze the juice from half a lime into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Drop the lime shell in the glass. Pour in the gin, then fill the rest of the glass with club soda. Stir.
Tequila Sunrise
This might earn you an eye roll from your bartender or drinking companions. But that's their problem—you'll just be enjoying your elevated tequila + OJ.
Ingredients
• 1 1/2 oz. tequila
• 3 oz. freshly squeezed orange juice
• 1 tsp. grenadine
Directions
Shake tequila and orange juice well with cracked ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Add grenadine and stir gently, for no longer than is necessary to produce layers of oranges and reds. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Hot Buttered Rum
This cozy drink is especially enjoyable on a cold winter night, but butter, sugar, and rum is a winning combo any time of year.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. dark rum
• 2 sugar cubes
• 1 pat unsalted butter
Directions
In a mug, dissolve the sugar cubes in a little hot water. Add rum and butter. Fill the mug with hot water. Sprinkle nutmeg on top.
Vesper
No one can accuse this drink of being understated. Channel your inner James Bond and order this the next time you're out.
Ingredients
• 3 oz. London dry gin
• 1 oz. vodka
• 1/2 oz. Lillet Blanc
Directions
Stir ingredients briskly with ice in a mixing tin until very cold. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a large, thin-cut lemon peel.
Sangria
Order a pitcher or two of sangria for the table. Then kick back and enjoy the afternoon sun and good conversation with friends. If you're making this at home, make sure you give your fruit enough time to steep by mixing it up a day ahead.
Ingredients
• 1 bottle red table wine
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 2 c. sparkling water
• 1/4 cup simple syrup
• Orange slices
• Apple slices
• Blackberries
• Pomegranate seeds
Directions
Stir all of the ingredients together in a pitcher. Put the pitcher in the refrigerator and let stand overnight. Pour sangria into glasses. Garnish with an orange wedge.
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Rose Cocktail
This elegant Parisian cocktail requires just three ingredients. It's a good one to order at a bar, since it requires Kirschwasser, which most people don't keep in stock at home.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. dry vermouth
• 1 oz. Kirschwasser
• 1 tsp. raspberry syrup
Directions
Stir the ingredients well with cracked ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
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Brain Duster
Sometimes you want a chill night with a few easy-drinking cocktails. But for nights when you desire something a little more intense, turn to this whiskey-and-absinthe combo.
Ingredients
• 1 oz. rye whiskey
• 1 oz. absinthe
• 1 oz. Italian vermouth
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
Directions
Stir ingredients well with cracked ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Read More
Rye Guide
Paloma
When you're craving a tequila drink that's more than a mere margarita, consider the Paloma. For a smokier flavor, swap out tequila for mezcal.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. tequila reposado
• 1/2 oz. lime juice
• Pinch of salt
•Grapefruit soda
Directions
Combine the tequila, lime juice, and salt in a tall glass. Add ice, top off with grapefruit soda, and stir.
Greyhound
If you're intrigued by the idea of a Paloma but want your grapefruit to lead the flavor profile, order this instead. It relies on straight-up grapefruit juice rather than grapefruit soda.
Ingredients
• 2 oz. vodka
• 4 oz. grapefruit juice
Directions
Add vodka and grapefruit juice to a glass over ice. Stir until mixed.
Read More
Vodka Guide
Screwdriver
This two-ingredient drink pairs well with French toast and a lack of afternoon obligations.
Ingredients
• 1 part vodka
• 2 parts orange juice
Directions
Pour ingredients over ice in a glass. Stir, then garnish with an orange slice.
Bushwacker
This creamy cocktail is essentially a chocolate Piña Colada milkshake. Need we say more?
Ingredients
• 2 oz. dark rum
• 1 oz. Kahlúa
• 1 oz. dark crème de cacao
• 2 oz. cream of coconut
• 2 oz. milk
• Nutmeg, whipped cream, or cherry (optional)
Directions
Blend ingredients with ice—start with 1/2 cup and add from there—until the mix reaches milkshake consistency. Pour into a hurricane-style glass, then garnish with grated nutmeg, whipped cream, or a maraschino cherry.
Read More
Rum Guide
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