Recipes from the Drinks Lexicon
Cocktails,
that actually work.
102 recipes with precise quantities and instructions that explain why each step comes where it does. Plus the knowledge behind it.
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102 Recipes · Page 1 of 12
CognacAlexander
Cognac, cocoa liqueur and cream in equal parts: the Alexander is a sweet, velvety drink. It tastes more like a small dessert in a glass than a fresh cocktail.
creamy, sweet
VermouthAmericano
Red bitter liqueur and sweet vermouth, topped with soda: the Americano is a long aperitif with no hard spirit. It tastes bittersweet and sparkling, and is built directly in the glass.
bitter, fizzy
Gin · CalvadosAngel Face
Gin, apricot liqueur and Calvados in equal parts. The Angel Face tastes fruity, of apricot and apple. Despite its soft name, it's a strong cocktail with no juice at all.
fruity, strong
GinAviation
Gin and lemon form the backbone, while Maraschino and a bar spoon of Crème de Violette add fragrance on top. The Aviation is a clear, sour cocktail with a pale, faintly bluish color.
floral, fresh
GinBee's Knees
Gin, honey and citrus: in the Bee's Knees, honey syrup does most of the sweetening; the orange juice also brings natural sugar along. This version adds orange juice alongside lemon, tasting softer and fruitier as a result.
fresh, fruity
Sparkling wineBellini
White peach purée and cold Prosecco—that's all the Bellini needs. It tastes fruity and mild, and the purée gives it a slightly silky texture in the mouth.
fruity, fizzy
Rum · CognacBetween the Sheets
Rum and Cognac share the base, orange liqueur bridges the two, and lemon pushes back against them. Between the Sheets is a strong, dry citrus cocktail in the style of a Sidecar.
fresh, strong
VodkaBlack Russian
Vodka and coffee liqueur over ice—that's all the Black Russian is. It tastes dark and coffee-forward, carries noticeable sweetness, and comes entirely without cream.
sweet, bold
VodkaBloody Mary
Tomato juice, vodka, lemon, and plenty of seasoning: the Bloody Mary is a savory cocktail. It tastes salty and spicy, not sweet at all, and how hot it gets is entirely up to you.
savory, savory
WhiskyBoulevardier
Whiskey, red bitter liqueur, and sweet vermouth, stirred and with no juice at all. The Boulevardier tastes bitter and bold, but the barrel spice of the whiskey makes it warmer and rounder than a Negroni.
bitter, bold
GinBramble
A Gin Sour over crushed ice, finished with blackberry liqueur poured on top. The Bramble tastes fresh and tart, with the dark fruit slowly sinking through the drink as you sip.
fruity, fresh
CognacBrandy Crusta
Brandy with lemon, two liqueurs and bitters, served in a small stemmed glass with a sugared rim. In the Brandy Crusta, the sugar rim and the wide citrus peel are an essential part of the drink.
fresh, bold
CachaçaCaipirinha
This Brazilian classic needs just three ingredients: cachaça, lime and sugar. Cachaça is a spirit distilled from sugarcane. You mix everything directly in the glass, over crushed ice. Short, cold and very fresh.
fresh, fruity
RumCanchanchara
A simple drink from Cuba made with sugarcane spirit, honey and lime. The water is a core part of the recipe, not just melted ice. The result is a sweet-and-sour cup that you stir directly in the glass.
fresh, sweet
GinCardinale
A dry aperitif made from gin, dry vermouth and a touch of Campari. Vermouth is a wine seasoned with herbs, Campari a red bitter liqueur. Just ten milliliters of Campari keep the drink lean and dry.
bitter, dry
GinCasino
A gin-forward classic with cherry liqueur, a touch of lemon and orange bitters. Old Tom Gin is a less dry style of gin. The drink is shaken and served over fresh ice, staying lean despite the liqueur.
fresh, fruity
Sparkling wine · CognacChampagne Cocktail
A sugar cube sits in the glass, soaked with Angostura. This is a strongly spiced bitters essence. On top comes a touch of cognac and cold champagne. The cube slowly dissolves, so the drink changes in the glass as you drink it.
fizzy, spicy
LiqueurChartreuse Swizzle
Green Chartreuse is a bold herbal liqueur. Here it meets pineapple, lime and Falernum, a sweet spiced liqueur. You stir everything together in a tall glass over crushed ice. The drink still tastes tropical, even without any rum.
herbal, fruity
GinClover Club
A pink gin sour made with raspberry syrup and lemon. A few drops of egg white soften the surface without adding any noticeable flavour of their own. The result is fruity and fresh, without the gin getting lost.
fruity, fresh
GinCorpse Reviver No. 2
Four ingredients in equal parts: gin, orange liqueur, Lillet Blanc and lemon. Lillet Blanc is an aromatised wine. A dash of absinthe adds anise and herbal notes. The result is a taut, refreshing sour.
fresh, herbal
VodkaCosmopolitan
A pink sour made from lemon vodka, orange liqueur, fresh lime and cranberry juice. The juice mainly adds colour and a touch of fruit. In the end, it should taste fresh rather than like a glass of juice with a shot in it.
fruity, fresh
RumCuba Libre
Rum and cola with a splash of fresh lime. The ten milliliters of juice make all the difference compared to plain rum and cola: they add acidity and cut some of the cola's sweetness. A long, simple drink.
fresh, sweet
RumDaiquiri
Three ingredients, nothing more: white rum, fresh lime, and sugar. The Daiquiri is the classic rum sour, short and served without ice in the glass. No fruit purée, no mixer—just the three parts in perfect balance.
fresh, dry
RumDark ’n’ Stormy
Dark rum poured over ginger beer, garnished with a lime wedge. Ginger beer is a spicy, carbonated ginger drink. Pour the rum slowly on top, and it floats as a dark layer over the pale mixer.
spicy, fizzy
RumDon’s Special Daiquiri
A Daiquiri in tiki disguise: two kinds of rum, passion fruit syrup, honey, and fresh lime. Everything goes briefly into the blender, then over crushed ice into a large stemmed glass. Sweet and fruity, with acidity underneath.
fruity, sweet
GinDry Martini
Two ingredients, nothing more: plenty of gin and a splash of dry vermouth. You stir both with ice until cold, then strain into the glass without ice. The Dry Martini tastes strong, dry, and remarkably clear.
dry, bold
VodkaEspresso Martini
Fresh espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur, and a touch of sugar syrup, shaken hard. On top sits a fine layer of brown foam, crowned with three coffee beans. Aside from the glass, this drink has nothing in common with the classic gin-and-vermouth Martini.
coffee, sweet
LiqueurFernandito
Fernet-Branca and cola—that's all this long drink needs. It arrives dark and boldly herbal in the glass, with sweetness from the cola and plenty of fizz. You build it directly in the glass over ice.
bitter, fizzy
Gin · Sparkling wineFrench 75
A small gin sour, lengthened with chilled Champagne. Gin, lemon, and sugar go into the shaker; the sparkling wine is added only once it's in the glass. The result tastes fresh, effervescent, and feels lighter than it actually is.
fresh, fizzy
CognacFrench Connection
Two ingredients in equal parts: Cognac and Amaretto, over ice in a tumbler. The drink tastes smooth, sweet, and nutty, leaning more toward dessert territory than toward fresh citrus cocktails.
sweet, bold
VodkaFrench Martini
Vodka, raspberry liqueur, and fresh pineapple juice, shaken vigorously. The drink arrives fruity and mellow in the glass, topped with a fine foam cap from the pineapple. Vermouth or gin, as in the classic Martini, are nowhere to be found here.
fruity, sweet
LiqueurGaribaldi
Campari and freshly squeezed orange juice over ice, that's all there is to it. The long drink glows orange-red and tastes bitter and fruity at once. Whip the juice up until airy and the drink turns soft and creamy.
bitter, fruity
GinGin Basil Smash
A Gin Sour with ten basil leaves in the shaker. Lemon and sugar syrup balance each other out, while the herb gives the drink its aroma and a green note. Double-strained, it arrives clear in the glass.
herbal, fresh
GinGin Fizz
Gin, lemon, and a little sugar, shaken and topped with a splash of soda. The Fizz arrives without ice in a pre-chilled glass and is drunk right away. It tastes sour, sparkling, and noticeably leaner than a long gin-based drink.
fresh, fizzy
TequilaGrand Margarita
A Margarita where Grand Marnier stands in for the orange liqueur. You shake tequila, orange liqueur, and fresh lime, then pour it all over ice, into a glass with a half salt rim. Agave, orange, and lime carry the flavor.
fresh, bold
LiqueurGrasshopper
Three equal parts: white crème de cacao, green crème de menthe, and cream, shaken hard. The Grasshopper arrives in the glass pale green and creamy, tasting like a dessert of mint and chocolate.
creamy, sweet
GinHanky Panky
Gin and sweet red vermouth in equal parts, plus a small dash of Fernet. The herbal liqueur turns gin and sweet vermouth into a spicy, bittersweet cocktail.
bitter, herbal
RumHemingway Special
A Daiquiri with grapefruit: plenty of rum, lime, and a dash of cherry liqueur. The grapefruit makes it more bitter than the original, and it's only as sweet as the liqueur allows.
fresh, fruity
CognacHorse's Neck
Cognac with ginger ale over ice, garnished with a long lemon spiral in the glass. A simple long drink: the ginger ale provides ginger spice and fizz, while the Cognac remains noticeably present in the background.
spicy, fizzy
RumIBA Tiki
A big, lavish Tiki drink: two rums, pineapple and passion fruit, plus almond and hazelnut liqueur. Lime and fresh ginger push back so the fruity sweetness doesn't have the final word.
fruity, spicy
Mezcal · RumIllegal
A smoky sour: mezcal meets strong Jamaican rum, joined by lime, sugar, and the spiced liqueur falernum. If you like, shake in a little egg white for a fine foam cap.
smoky, fresh
WhiskyIrish Coffee
Hot, sweetened coffee with Irish whiskey, topped with a layer of cold cream. You drink through the cream, so warm and cold meet in every sip.
coffee, creamy
GinJohn Collins
A long gin sour with soda and plenty of ice: gin, fresh lemon, a bit of sugar syrup, topped up with sparkling water. Fresh, fizzy, and easy to drink, without the gin disappearing.
fresh, fizzy
RumJungle Bird
A tropical cocktail with a bitter core: dark rum and pineapple juice meet Campari. Lime and dark sugar syrup hold the middle ground, so neither the fruit nor the bitterness wins out alone.
bitter, fruity
WineKir
A glass of dry white wine with a splash of cassis liqueur. Ten milliliters is enough to change the color, aroma, and sweetness. A very simple aperitif: two ingredients, no ice, no shaker.
fruity, sweet
GinLast Word
Four ingredients in equal parts: gin, green herbal liqueur, cherry liqueur, and fresh lime. This creates a short, bold drink that tastes sweet, sour, and herbal all at once. Remarkably complex flavor for so little effort.
herbal, fresh
VodkaLemon Drop Martini
A short citrus cocktail made of vodka, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon. The name is misleading: no vermouth goes in here—this is a shaken sour served in a cocktail glass.
fresh, fruity
Vodka · Tequila · Rum · GinLong Island Iced Tea
Four spirits and an orange liqueur in the same glass, plus lemon, sugar syrup, and a splash of cola. There's no tea in it: the name comes from the color. A long drink that's much stronger than it tastes.
fresh, sweet
RumMai Tai
The Mai Tai is a bold cocktail made from two kinds of rum. Lime, orange liqueur and almond syrup round it out. It tastes fruity but isn't a sweet juice mix — it's a drink with plenty of spirit behind it.
fruity, bold
WhiskyManhattan
The Manhattan is a stirred cocktail made from rye whiskey, sweet red vermouth and a dash of bitters. It contains no juice and tastes spicy, slightly sweet, and distinctly of whiskey. A cocktail cherry sits in the glass.
spicy, bold
TequilaMargarita
The Margarita is a short, sour cocktail made from tequila, orange liqueur and lime. It tastes fresh and bold. A half salt rim on the glass is optional, not mandatory — that way you can take every other sip without salt.
fresh, bold
GinMartinez
The Martinez is a stirred cocktail made from gin and sweet red vermouth in equal parts. A spoonful of maraschino and two dashes of orange bitters round it out. It tastes smooth, spicy and slightly sweet.
spicy, sweet
RumMary Pickford
The Mary Pickford is a short rum cocktail with pineapple juice. Maraschino and a splash of grenadine add sweetness and color. The drink tastes soft and fruity, but still packs a decent amount of alcohol.
fruity, sweet
sparkling wineMimosa
The Mimosa consists of just two ingredients: orange juice and Prosecco, in equal parts. It tastes fruity and sparkling, comes together quickly, and contains less alcohol than most cocktails.
fruity, fizzy
WhiskyMint Julep
The Mint Julep is bourbon over crushed ice, with mint and a touch of sugar. No juice goes into it. The cup turns ice-cold on the outside, and every sip smells of fresh mint.
herbal, strong
RumMissionary's Downfall
The Missionary's Downfall comes straight from the blender: rum, peach liqueur, lime, honey, fresh mint, and pineapple are blended with ice into a cold, green mixture. It tastes fruity and herbaceously fresh. The alcohol stays in the background.
fruity, herbal
RumMojito
The Mojito is a long, refreshing drink made from white rum, lime, mint, and sugar. Soda water makes it light and fizzy. You build it directly in the glass, with no shaker required.
fresh, herbal
GinMonkey Gland
The Monkey Gland mixes gin with fresh orange juice. Absinthe and grenadine join in, one tablespoon of each. The anise from the absinthe is clearly noticeable, while the grenadine brings a red fruity sweetness.
fruity, herbal
VodkaMoscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is a long drink made from vodka, ginger beer, and a touch of lime. Ginger gives it a spicy kick, while the carbonation makes it fizzy. The famous copper mug isn't essential—a tumbler works just as well.
spicy, fizzy
MezcalNaked and Famous
The Naked and Famous consists of four equal parts: mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, Aperol, and lime juice. It tastes smoky, bitter, and fresh all at once. Little liquid ends up in the glass, but there's a whole lot of flavor.
smoky, fresh
GinNegroni
The Negroni is an Italian aperitif made from three equal parts: gin, red bitter aperitif, and sweet vermouth. It comes together without any juice and tastes boldly bitter. You stir it directly in the glass over ice.
bitter, bold
Whisky · WineNew York Sour
The New York Sour is a whiskey sour with a thin layer of red wine floating on top. Lemon and sugar keep it fresh, while the wine adds fruit and a light tannic edge above it. Two colors sit stacked in the glass.
fresh, fruity
Rum · Sparkling wineOld Cuban
The Old Cuban is a mint-rum sour topped with sparkling wine. Aged rum and two dashes of bitters give it more spice than a Mojito. You drink it without ice, straight from a cocktail glass.
herbal, fizzy
WhiskyOld Fashioned
The Old Fashioned consists of whiskey, sugar, bitters, and a little water. Nothing else goes in. It tastes bold and spicy, since nothing masks the spirit. You stir it directly in the serving glass over large ice cubes.
spicy, bold
TequilaPaloma
The Paloma is a long, fizzy tequila drink made with grapefruit soda. It tastes fresh and slightly bitter, with a pinch of salt holding the citrus and agave together. You build it directly in the glass over ice.
fresh, fizzy
WhiskyPaper Plane
The Paper Plane has four ingredients in equal parts: bourbon, two different bitter liqueurs, and fresh lemon juice. It tastes bittersweet with orange, alongside the spice of whiskey barrel aging. You serve it in a cocktail glass, without ice and without garnish.
bitter, fresh
GinParadise
The Paradise is a short, fruity cocktail made with gin, apricot liqueur, and a little orange juice. No lemon or lime goes in here. That's why it tastes softer and sweeter than most short classics.
fruity, sweet
WhiskyPenicillin
The Penicillin is a whisky sour with honey and fresh ginger. A small amount of smoky Islay whisky floats on top. The name is a joke and doesn't refer to medicine.
smoky, spicy
RumPiña Colada
The Piña Colada is a creamy tropical cocktail made from white rum, pineapple juice, and sweetened cream of coconut. The blender turns it with ice into a thick, cold mixture. Sweet, fruity, and filling.
creamy, fruity
Pisco · WinePisco Punch
The Pisco Punch combines grape brandy with pineapple, lemon, and a note of clove. Dry white wine lengthens it without any soda involved. The result tastes fruity, spicy, and still grown-up.
fruity, spicy
PiscoPisco Sour
The Pisco Sour is a sour made from grape brandy, lemon, and sugar, topped with a soft foam cap of egg white. A few dashes of bitters on the foam release the first aroma as you drink.
fresh, creamy
RumPlanter's Punch
This version of the Planter's Punch is short and simple: Jamaican rum, lime, cane syrup, and as much water or ice as you like. It has little in common with the long, fruit-juice-heavy mixes that share this name.
fresh, sweet
Vodka · Sparkling winePorn Star Martini
A fruity cocktail made from vanilla vodka, passion fruit liqueur, and passion fruit purée. It's served with a small glass of Champagne on the side, sipped separately. The passion fruit tastes sweet and tangy, while the Champagne stays dry.
fruity, sweet
Cognac · WinePorto Flip
Port, brandy, and a spoonful of egg yolk come together into a smooth, sweet cocktail. The egg yolk gives it body without any cream in the glass. Freshly grated nutmeg on top adds a spicy aroma.
creamy, sweet
CachaçaRabo de Galo
Cachaça, sweet red vermouth, and the bitter liqueur Cynar come together in the glass. This Brazilian classic is bold and herbal. Lime and sugar, as in a Caipirinha, don't feature here.
bitter, bold
GinRamos Fizz
Gin, lemon, lime, cream, and egg white get shaken here for minutes on end, then soda goes in. The result is a tall, snow-white drink with thick foam. Orange blossom and vanilla provide the aroma.
creamy, fizzy
WhiskyRemember the Maine
Rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and cherry liqueur are stirred and served in a coupe. Rinse it beforehand with absinthe. This drink is strong and dark-fruited, with a distinct anise aroma.
herbal, strong
Vodka · Sparkling wineRussian Spring Punch
Vodka, lemon juice and blackcurrant liqueur go into a tall glass over ice, then you top it up with sparkling wine. The result is a long, dark red drink that tastes fruity and fizzes on the tongue.
fruity, fizzy
WhiskyRusty Nail
Just two ingredients, nothing more: Scotch whisky and the whisky liqueur Drambuie. The Rusty Nail is short, strong and sweetish. No citrus juice goes in; a lemon zest provides the fresh aroma.
sweet, strong
CognacSazerac
Cognac, a sugar cube and a few dashes of Peychaud's Bitters are stirred until cold. Then everything goes into a glass whose interior has been scented with absinthe. The Sazerac stays clear and strong, with no ice in the finished drink.
herbal, strong
VodkaSea Breeze
Vodka with cranberry juice and grapefruit juice—that's all the Sea Breeze needs. This long drink tastes fruity and lightly tart. No liqueurs or syrup are added. You simply stir it together right in the glass, no shaker required.
fruity, fresh
VodkaSex on the Beach
Vodka, peach liqueur, orange juice, and cranberry juice come together in a colorful, fruity long drink. It tastes distinctly sweet, with the juices' acidity pushing back just a little. You simply stir it together right in the glass—no shaker needed.
fruity, sweet
WineSherry Cobbler
Two dry sherries, a touch of sugar, and citrus slices are shaken together and poured over crushed ice. The Sherry Cobbler is a wine cocktail: no additional spirit involved, just wine, fruit, and sugar.
fruity, dry
CognacSidecar
Cognac, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice, shaken and poured cold into the coupe. The Sidecar is a sour: spirit, sweetness, and citrus in one glass. Tart, strong, and quick to make with just three ingredients.
fresh, bold
GinSingapore Sling
A long gin drink built with plenty of fresh pineapple juice. Cherry liqueur, orange liqueur, and an herbal liqueur join in, along with lime and a dash of bitters. It tastes fruity, yet carries a spiced edge.
fruity, spiced
GinSouth Side
A short, cold gin cocktail with lemon, sugar, and fresh mint. It goes into the glass without soda, keeping it bold. You'll smell the mint before you even taste it.
herbal, fresh
VodkaSpicy Fifty
A short vodka cocktail with vanilla, elderflower, lime, and honey. Two thin chili slices give it heat. You first taste the sweet blossom and citrus, with the heat arriving only after you swallow.
spicy, fresh
Sparkling wine · LiqueurSpritz
Prosecco, Aperol, and a splash of soda over plenty of ice. This orange Italian aperitif is bittersweet, light, and fizzy. It belongs at the start of the evening, before the meal.
bitter, fizzy
CognacStinger
Just two ingredients, nothing else: Cognac and white crème de menthe, stirred cold and served without ice. The Stinger is strong and sweet at once, with a cool minty finish.
sweet, herbal
Cognac · GinSuffering Bastard
A tall, spicy drink with two spirits: brandy and gin share the glass. Lime and Angostura bitters round it out, and ginger beer tops it off. Sharp and spicy from the ginger, fresh from the lime.
spicy, fizzy
TequilaTequila Sunrise
Tequila and orange juice over ice, with grenadine that slowly sinks down. This creates a red gradient in the glass that looks like a sunrise. Fruity, sweet, and easy to mix.
fruity, sweet
RumThree Dots and a Dash
A Tiki drink made from two rums, spiced liqueurs, citrus, and honey. It's briefly mixed and served over crushed ice. The garnish of three cherries and a pineapple spear is part of the name.
spicy, fruity
WhiskyTipperary
Irish whiskey, sweet red vermouth, and green herbal liqueur, stirred cold and served without ice. The Tipperary is short, powerful, and herbal. It shows off Irish whiskey outside the coffee glass.
herbal, powerful
TequilaTommy's Margarita
A Margarita without orange liqueur: tequila, lime, and agave syrup, nothing else. This lets you taste the agave spirit much more directly than in the classic version. It's served over fresh ice in a tumbler. Short, fresh, and powerful.
fresh, powerful
Bitters · WhiskyTrinidad Sour
A sour where Angostura Bitters is the main ingredient: 45 milliliters of it, along with orgeat, lemon, and a dash of rye. The result is dark, spicy, and unusually intense.
spicy, fresh
GinTuxedo
Gin and dry vermouth in equal parts, with tiny amounts of Maraschino, absinthe, and orange bitters. The Tuxedo belongs to the Martini family, but brings noticeably more aromas to the glass.
dry, herbal
GrappaVe.N.To
Grappa is an Italian brandy made from grape pomace. Lemon, honey, and a chamomile infusion turn it into a Sour, a tart drink with a touch of sweetness. It's served cold in the small tumbler, over fresh ice.
floral, fresh
Gin · VodkaVesper
A very dry, very strong cocktail. Gin and vodka make up almost the entire volume, joined by just 7.5 ml of Lillet Blanc, a wine aromatized with herbs. The lemon zest adds a fresh scent on top.
dry, strong
Whisky · CognacVieux Carré
Three strong parts in equal measure: rye whiskey, Cognac, and sweet vermouth. Alongside these come a bar spoon of herbal liqueur and two dashes of bitters. It's stirred, not shaken, then served cold in the glass. There's no juice involved.
spicy, strong
WhiskyWhiskey Sour
The classic among sour drinks: Bourbon, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and sugar syrup, shaken hard over ice. A few drops of egg white are optional, giving the drink a soft foam cap. It's served in a tumbler over fresh ice.
fresh
GinWhite Lady
Gin, orange liqueur, and lemon juice are shaken cold and poured into the coupe, with no garnish at all. Despite the name, there's neither cream nor egg in it. The drink is pale, clear, and distinctly sour.
fresh, dry
RumZombie
A tiki classic with three different rums, lime, grenadine, and spices. Everything is briefly blended with crushed ice and poured into a tall glass. The fruit conceals just how much alcohol is packed inside.
fruity, spiced