Classic Cocktails Guide And Tips How To Twist
Learn the key principles of how to make classic cocktails and how to twist them.
Author: Steve Timpson, Certified Diageo Bar Academy Trainer
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Learn the Classics
Classic cocktails should serve as the basis of your drinks menu. These cocktails have stood the test of time and remain some of the most popular drink options about.
Understanding the fundamentals through making classic cocktails gives you the tools to innovate and create your own serves. But before you get experimental, you must know how to get the classics right.
Steve Timpson shares the secrets to perfect classic cocktails and guidance on what to do when making your own versions.
The Golden Ratio
The Golden Ratio
Balance is vital to a quality cocktail. Many classic cocktails achieve perfect balance and structure by following the Golden Ratio.
The Golden Ratio breaks down the proportions of your cocktail into an easy-to-remember ratio, and following it is a quick way to ensure all your classic and modern drinks taste perfect.
This ratio is 2:1:1, broken down into:
2 parts Spirit
1 part Sour
1 part Sweet
You must follow this ratio to make a great classic cocktail, but it's even more vital if you change a recipe to create something new. If not, the drink won't be successful.
Learn classic cocktail recipes to master the golden ratio.
Classic Cocktail Fundamentals
There are a lot of classic cocktails you can choose to include in your menu. Each uses a core spirit, with the flavor tweaked by additional ingredients. Many classic cocktails consist of more than one spirit category, but the core element will be the one with the larger measure.
The key spirits you can make cocktails with are:
Gin
Vodka
Whisky
Rum
Tequila
No matter the drink, all will be prepared similarly and require five key components to create a quality classic:
Glassware
Glassware
The glass used for a cocktail must be the right one for the drink. Some options work best in a highball glass, while others suit a coupe. Chill the glass to help prevent drink dilution.
Ice
Ice
Ice is crucial; it helps chill the drink and brings out the flavor. Ice should be fresh and kept in a freezer to stop it from melting. The colder the ice, the less dilution.
Spirit
Spirit
The core component of your drink, a great spirit, makes for a great cocktail. Choose premium options to get the most out of your serve.
Mixer
Mixer
Your mixer accents the cocktail with additional flavor. Never fill a mixer to the rim of the glass to avoid spillage.
Garnish
Garnish
Your garnish is the finishing touch to your drink and offers a final dash of aroma or taste. Opt for a garnish that complements the drink and ensure it's fresh.
Classic Gin Cocktails
Tanqueray No. Ten Gin & Tonic
A classic Gin and Tonic serve - truly refreshing!
Aviation
The Aviation is a cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, Maraschino liqueur, and Crème de Violette. Although generally consumed as an apéritif, this classic cocktail is ideal for any occasion.
Clover Club
Tanqueray is shaken with Citrus and Sweet Raspberry in this deliciously fruity classic.
Tanqueray Dry Martini
The Classic Dry Martini, is made with the bartender's favorite gin, Tanqueray.
Singapore Sling
Serve shaken with ice for the perfect Singapore Sling.
Tanqueray Gimlet
A classic cocktail deserves a classic Gin! Ultra smooth Tanqueray London Dry Gin chilled with fresh Lime and served straight up - unparalleled perfection.
Gin Basil Smash
Experience the refreshingly tasty combo of Tanqueray London Dry with sweet Basil and zesty Lemon.
Negroni
The Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail made with Gin, Vermouth and Campari.
Gin Fizz
The Fizz is a cocktail made with Gin, Lemon Juice, Sugar, Soda Water, and an Egg White. It's one of the most popular cocktails in the world and has been featured in many movies and TV shows.
Ten Rickey
The definitive summer cocktail! Tanqueray No. 10 Gin chilled with fresh Lime Juice that's served on the rocks with a splash of Club Soda - delightfully light and limey!
Classic Vodka Cocktails
Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary is a cocktail that was invented in the 1920s. It is made with Vodka, Tomato Juice, Worcestershire Sauce, Tabasco Sauce and Lime Juice.
Ketel One Vodka Dirty Martini cocktail
Enjoy Ketel One Vodka with a splash of Vermouth and Olive brine, finished with fresh Olives.
Ultimate Screwdriver
Packed with citrus! Smirnoff Orange with Orange Juice on the rocks is smooth and sweet with loads of orange - this is truly a supreme screwdriver!
White Russian
Ketel One is mixed with Coffee Liqueur and Cream in this delicious, creamy classic.
The Ultimate Ketel One Blue Cosmopolitan
A classic cocktail with a little blue hue! Ketel One Citroen chilled with Blue Curacao liqueur and a splash of White Cranberry juice...fabulous.
Long Island Iced Tea
The hugely popular 'all the white spirits' cocktail from 1970's America.
Sex on the Beach
A refreshing mix of Smirnoff Vodka, Cranberry juice, orange juice, and Peach Schnapps, the Sex on the Beach is perfect for summer days by the pool or at the beach.
Gimlet
A classic, refreshing and citrus cocktail from Tanqueray
Classic Whisky Cocktails
Old Fashioned
The Old-Fashioned is a classic cocktail made with Whiskey, Sugar, Bitters, and a Twist of Citrus Peel. It's a simple yet delicious drink that has been enjoyed for centuries.
Whisky Sour
Whisky Sour is a cocktail made with Whisky, Lemon juice, Sugar, and Egg White. It is one of the oldest mixed drinks, dating back to the 19th century.
Manhattan Dry
This classic made with Bullet Bourbon and is stirred down with the sweet and bitter notes.
Bulleit Mint Julep
Savor this old American classic with fresh Mint, Sugar and chilled perfectly with Bulleit Bourbon.
Whiskey Rickey
The Rickey is a style of a mixed drink similar to a highball but has half a lime squeezed and dropped into the glass. The original was made with Bourbon but was made famous by the Gin version.
The Sazerac
Bulleit Rye bring the spice, it's then stirred down with Sugar and Peychauds Bitters.
Ketel One PK
Take a trip to the 50's with this vintage tipple! Johnnie Walker Red Label Blended Scotch Whisky with Scotch Liqueur on the rock - so retro the Rat Pack would be proud!
Blood & Sand
A Blood and Sand Cocktail is a Scotch Whisky-based cocktail made with blood orange juice, cherry liqueur and sweet vermouth.
Classic Rum Cocktails
Zacapa Salted Piña Colada
Enjoy a twist on the classic, mixing Zacapa No. 23 with coconut water and salted pineapple syrup.
Dark & Stormy
Mojito
Mojito is a refreshing cocktail made with Rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves, and sparkling water.
Mai Tai
A beautiful example of using a classic cocktail - The Daiquiri, and building flavors on it.
Pineapple Rum Punch
The sweet citrus-sy flavors of the pineapple, orange, and lime complement the white rum to instantly transport you to somewhere sunny. A soft touch of honey adds to the texture of the drink’s fruit-packed flavor.Long Island Iced Tea
The hugely popular 'all the white spirits' cocktail from 1970's America.
El Presidente
Set sail for fun! A frosty blend of Captain Morgan White Rum and Captain Morgan Dark Rum with Piña Colada Mix, Pineapple Juice, Passion Fruit Syrup and topped off with a drizzle of Pomegranate Syrup - next stop: Jamaica!
Classic Tequila Cocktails
Margarita
Absolutely, the most well-known and popular cocktail to come out of Mexico.
Paloma
One of the most popular Tequila-based cocktail recipes in Mexico, the Paloma is Spanish for dove.
Tequila Sunrise
The Tequila Sunrise is said to be invented during the 1950s but was at its peak during the 1970s disco era. The original version used Crème de Cassis instead of Grenadine.
Now Do the Twist
Bartending is a creative field, so you have license to make changes and add new life to older classics. Twisting an old favorite allows you to show flair and skill.
Ben Potts, experienced bar director, shares insight on successfully twisting classics without removing what makes them great.
The best way to twist is by substitution. e.g., replacing a spirit with a spirit. A great example is the common alteration of the Negroni, where gin is replaced with Zacapa No 23 rum to add a new dimension.
Adding an ingredient can make a cocktail burst with life. For example, adding fruit liqueur to a classic Martini creates an exciting alternative. Make sure to keep balance when adding ingredients.
Here are 3 recipes from Ben to help inspire you:
Martini Italiano
A citrus-forward, Italian-inspired, twist on a classic dry martini, Tanqueray London Dry Gin stirred down and served up with aperol, dry vermouth, grapefruit liqueur and bitters.
Spicy Maracuya
This twist on the timeless Margarita, replaces liqueur with Thai chili and adds passion fruit. Discover the recipe.
Man About Town
A twist on the traditional Negroni, using rum instead of gin.
Key Takeaways
Making Classic Cocktails teaches you balance and structure.
Follow the 'golden ratio' 2:1:1 for ultimate consistency when making classics and alternations.
Pay close attention to the glass, ice, spirit, mixer, and garnish used to elevate the cocktail further.
The key to twisting classic cocktails is substitution. Replace spirit with spirit, sweet with sweet, and ensure no one ingredient overpowers the others.
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