Essential Bar Tools: How to Make Better Cocktails at Home
How to step up your cocktail game.
A compilation of cocktail recipes. Everything from classic cocktails, modern-day cocktails, and my own personal creations. Spirits include gin, vodka, tequila, rum, bourbon, mezcal, coffee-based cocktails, dessert drinks, and so much more.
How to step up your cocktail game.
Honey simple syrup is a cocktail sweetener made with equal parts honey and warm water.
22 of my favorite classic cocktail recipes everyone should learn how to make.
6 awesome cocktail recipes using your favorite cherry-flavored liqueur.
Clear ice is really easy to make at home. You’ll be happy to hear it doesn’t involve boiling water or any expensive equipment to make crystal clear ice for cocktails.
How to make the classic old fashioned drink the right way. Bourbon, bitters, simple syrup (sugar cube), and an orange peel.
A spicy spin on the classic margarita made with elderflower, honey, and fresh jalepeño.
The bourbon drinkers mojito. Fresh muddled lime, blackberries, and mint mixed with bourbon and topped with soda water.
A simple and refreshing pear martini made with pear vodka, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup.
A fall-inspired Manhattan cocktail recipe made with bourbon, maple syrup, black walnut bitters, and orange peel.
The classic and refreshing Moscow mule cocktail consists of ginger beer, vodka, and fresh lime juice.
A citrusy whiskey-based cocktail with notes of brown sugar and grapefruit. The brown derby cocktail is made with bourbon, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup.
A classic New York sour recipe made with bourbon, lemon, simple sugar, egg white, and a red wine float. Frothy, citrusy, and refreshing.
A spicy mezcal cocktail made with mezcal, simple syrup, fresh lime juice, and spicy bitters—essentially a margarita served straight up in a chilled coupe glass.
Perfect for the holidays, the eggnog cocktail consists of chilled eggnog, Irish cream, and vanilla vodka.
A compilation of sweet and boozy cocktails that are best served with dessert.
A compilation of some of my favorite bourbon cocktail recipes.
A tropical-inspired mango margarita recipe made with blanco tequila, mango puree, fresh lime juice, triple sec, and a dash of simple syrup.
A citrusy, tart, and slightly sweet bourbon cocktail that will remind you of fresh lemonade. Thanks to the mint and ginger beer, this cocktail takes on a new level of complex flavor.
The Tom Collins is a refreshing classic cocktail made with gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup.
A pineapple jalapeno margarita made with pineapple juice, lime juice, grapefruit juice, elderflower liqueur, and fresh jalapeno for a spicy balanced kick.
The honey lemon and Grand Marnier margarita is made with Añejo tequila, fresh lemon juice, and honey syrup. A refreshing and warm buzz.
A true mai tai made with dark rum, gold rum, orgeat (almond-flavored simple syrup), lime juice, orange liqueur, and fresh mint leaves.
A twist on the classic gold rush cocktail made with bourbon, lemon, honey, Applejack brandy, and fresh rosemary. A smooth, citrusy, and refreshing whiskey cocktail with fall vibes.
A holiday/fall-inspired red sangria made with Spanish red wine, green apples, oranges, Grand Mariner, maple syrup, fresh rosemary, and cinnamon.
The classic mojito is a refreshing summer favorite made with white rum, fresh mint leaves, lime juice, simple syrup, and soda water for a little fizz.
A classic frozen or shaken piña colada recipe made with white rum, cream of coconut, and pineapple juice. The perfect ratio for my favorite island/summertime cocktail of all time.
A refreshing tropical cocktail made with dark rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, orgeat, peach liqueur, and angostura bitters.
A boozy spin on whipped coffee. Whipped coffee poured over vanilla vodka and Bailey’s Irish Cream. Super simple, easy to make, and creamy. No mixer required.
My watermelon margarita is FRESH and refreshing. Made with homemade watermelon juice, fresh lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and simple sugar, it’s literally summer in a glass.
A fruity and refreshing summer vodka cocktail made with muddled fresh strawberries and raspberries, fresh rosemary, blackberry jam, honey syrup, and lemon juice.
A brightly refreshing and citrusy classic cocktail made with gin, Lillet Blanc, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice.
A seasonal spin on the classic old fashioned—Applejack brandy, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
A spicy Italian twist on a familiar feeling tequila cocktail. Picture a tangy margarita with a touch of heat, orange, and bitters.
Is there a better brunch cocktail than the bloody mary? This is an easy and delicious standard bloody mary recipe just waiting to be garnished.
A boozy classic cocktail made with rum, gin, vodka, tequila, citrus, sugar, and a little cola. A surprisingly refreshing cocktail that resembles a tall glass of iced tea.
My bourbon Hot Toddy, made with honey, fresh lemon juice, and a cinnamon stick, is sure to be the pick-me-up you need to get through the winter months.
Manhattan lovers listen up. The Brooklyn cocktail is a classic whiskey drink made with maraschino liqueur, dry vermouth, and bitters.
A classic whiskey sour cocktail recipe made with bourbon, lemon, simple sugar, and egg white. Frothy, citrusy, and refreshing.
The French martini a fruity cocktail with notes of vanilla, orange, and pineapple. It’s made with vodka, Chambord raspberry liqueur, and pineapple juice.
The porn star martini is an intensely tropical cocktail made with fresh passion fruit juice, vanilla vodka, simple syrup, and fresh lime juice.
The paper plane is a citrusy cocktail most similar to the characteristics of a more bitter whiskey sour or sidecar. It’s smooth, warm, and refreshing.
The limoncello martini is a refreshing and citrusy cocktail made with limoncello, vodka, fresh lemon juice, and fresh rosemary.
The Bee’s Knees cocktail is a classic Prohibition-Era cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup.
A cognac and lemon twist on the classic boulevardier cocktail made with bourbon, cognac, Campari and sweet vermouth.
San Francisco inspired Irish coffee made with coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and easy, frothy homemade whipped cream.
The gin Old Fashioned is your basic Old Fashioned made with barrel-aged Old Tom gin, orange bitters, simple syrup, and a lemon peel.
The Negroni cocktail is a classic cocktail originating in Florence, Italy. Made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
Stop using margarita mix. A classic and “real” margarita recipe made with tequila, fresh lime juice, triple sec, and simple syrup.
Your favorite bourbon infused with dried figs and vanilla beans. Perfect for an Old Fashioned or sipping on the rocks.
A refreshing, spirit-forward cocktail with a balance of citrus, smoke, sweetness, and a foamy head for the perfect finishing texture.
The blueberry martini is made with blueberry vodka, triple sec, simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice.
The official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby. Bourbon, mint, simple syrup, and plenty of crushed ice.
The ultimate yet simple chocolate martini made with Godiva liqueur.
A real grapefruit margarita made with reposado tequila, fresh grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and triple sec.
The Sidecar is one of my favorite classic cocktails, consisting of cognac, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice. A citrusy refreshing classic.
A refreshing tequila cocktail made with elderflower liqueur and fresh muddled strawberries and optional cucumber.
A traditional cosmopolitan cocktail recipe made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and fresh lime juice.
The Manhattan drink made two slightly different ways (classic versus perfect). Either way, it’s always constructed with bourbon, vermouth, and bitters.
The ultimate dessert cocktail made with vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur, instant espresso, and chocolate liqueur.
Ernest Hemingway’s favorite cocktail—a slight variation on the classic daiquiri.
The improved whiskey cocktail is a mix between a Sazerac and the Old Fashioned. Sound good? This just may be your new favorite whiskey cocktail.
A celebratory champagne cocktail made with maraschino liqueur and fresh lemon juice.
The classic gin martini made with orange bitters and lemon peel twist. Sorry no olives here.
The perfect homemade limoncello recipe made with Everclear, organic lemons, and simple syrup.
One of my favorite Prohibition-era cocktails consisting of gin, green chartreuse, and maraschino liqueur.
Bite into a candy apple with a simple fall inspired cocktail made with caramel vodka, vanilla vodka, and apple cider.
A healthier frozen mudslide made without ice cream. All you need is vodka, coffee liquor, Irish cream, ice, and optional whipped cream and cocoa topping.
The official cocktail of New Orleans. Rye, sugar, Peychaud’s bitters, absinthe, and lemon peel.
An obscure, yet highly delicious Prohibition-Era cocktail made with rye, dry vermouth, orange bitters, and a touch of grenadine.
A classic cocktail consisting of gin, champagne, simple syrup, and lemon juice.
The most refreshing Italian cocktail—The Aperol spritz is made with prosecco, aperol, and an orange wedge.
One of my all time favorite classic cocktails from the early 1900’s. Gin, maraschino liqueur (cherry), crème de violette, and fresh lemon juice.
A slight twist on a classic cocktail—gin, elderflower, and grapefruit with a foamy egg white head.
The official cocktail of spring. Gin, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice and fresh muddled cucumbers. A super refreshing and aromatic cucumber martini.
A classic mojito made with fresh muddled blackberries. Is there a better Summer cocktail than an ice cold mojito? NOPE.
A classic margarita with a touch of elderflower liquor.