12 Classic Cocktail Recipes Everyone Should Know

In a medium pitcher, combine ¾ cup tequila, ½ cup fresh lime juice (from 4 to 6 limes), ½ cup Triple Sec or Cointreau, and ½ cup water. If desired, rub the rims of 4 glasses with a lime slice and dip in salt to coat. Serve the margaritas in the prepared glasses over ice and garnish with the lime slices. Makes 4 drinks.

Get the recipe: Classic Margarita

Combine 4 ounces gin, 4 ounces Campari, and 4 ounces sweet vermouth in a large pitcher. Divide mixture among 3 4-ounce glasses. Place a strip of orange peel in each. Makes 3 drinks.

Get the recipe: Big-Batch Negronis

In a mint julep cup or thick glass, mix 1 tablespoon sugar with 1 teaspoon water until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute. Clap 6 mint leaves in your palms to release the herbs' oils, then add them to the simple syrup. Pack the glass with crushed ice and top with 3 ounces bourbon. Serve garnished with the mint sprigs. Makes 1 drink.

Get the recipe: Mint Julep

Combine 2 cups (16 ounces) rye whiskey, ½ tablespoon absinthe, ¼ teaspoon bitters, 2 ounces orange simple syrup, and ½ cup filtered water in a large bowl or pitcher. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. To serve, ladle into cocktail glasses and garnish each with an orange peel. Makes 5 drinks.

Get the recipe: Sazerac Pitchers

Pour 1½ ounces Amaretto liqueur, 1 ounce simple syrup (dissolve an equal amount of sugar in water), and ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry. Makes 1 drink.

Get the recipe: Classic Amaretto Sour

Combine a bottle of red wine (we recommend Rioja or other light- or medium-bodied red wine) with 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1 ounce brandy in a large pitcher and stir to dissolve sugar. Add 1 thinly sliced navel orange, ½ pint blackberries, and 1 cup club soda. Refrigerate for 1 hour or more before serving to allow fruit to macerate and sweeten sangria. Serve in tall glasses filled with ice. Makes 6 drinks.

Get the recipe: Red Sangria

Fill a Moscow mule mug with ice. Add ½ ounce lime juice and 2 ounces vodka. Top with 4 to 6 ounces ginger beer and stir. Garnish with a slice of lime. Makes 1 drink.

Get the recipe: Moscow Mule

Saturate a sugar cube with 4 dashes of Angostura bitters. Place the cube in an old-fashioned glass, add 1 tablespoon water and muddle the sugar until it dissolves. Fill the glass with ice, pour in 1¾ ounces rye whiskey and stir. Garnish with a slice of orange. Makes 1 drink.

Get the recipe: Clementine and Ginger Old-Fashioned

Combine 2½ ounces bourbon or rye whiskey, 1 ounce sweet vermouth and a dash of orange bitters in an ice-filled bar glass. Stir until very cold. Serve up, strained into a cocktail glass, or on the rocks, in an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with a maraschino cherry. Makes 1 drink.

Get the recipe: Cherry Manhattan

Combine 3 ounces of vodka or gin and ¾ ounce dry vermouth in an ice-filled bar glass. Stir until very cold. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with an olive. Makes 1 drink.

Get the recipe: Martini

Combine 2½ ounces gin and ¾ ounce Rose's lime juice in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Makes 1 drink.

Get the recipe: Cucumber and Basil Gimlet

Combine ½ ounce fresh lemon juice, 1 ounce triple sec, and 1½ ounces brandy in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Makes 1 drink.

Get the recipe: Sidecar Punch