A Classic Choice
- wardenamanda11
- 1 minute ago
- 3 min read
In a crowded bar situation it's always a bit daunting to walk up to a stranger and make a generally quick decision. The bartender staring at you wondering what your request is, a line behind you of patrons who all probably know what they want. Then there's you, nervous that they don't have anything that you like, and worrie
d that your request is over the top for the bar that you're in. And if they have a cocktail menu, reading all the ingredients to see if any of those sound good.
That being said, it's always nice to have a classic cocktail order in mind to "fall back on" when you're left trying to make a quick decision. Because the last thing any busy bartender with a line wants is someone coming up and saying "surprise me, I don't know what I want."
So here are some classic cocktails you can order that most full service bars would be able to make should you want to try something new, or have a consistently delicious experience everywhere you go.
Tequila drinks are so great, versatile and practically every good bar will have at least a decent margarita. However, if you're wanting to switch it up on your run of the mill order, a Paloma is a great alternative. With Grapefruit, Lime and Salt this cocktail is an absolute perfect choice and your bartender will be happy to make. But if you're in the mood to have something else fizzy; A Batanga, Ranch Water or Mexican Mule are all great choices.
Bourbon/Whiskey cocktails are a bit of a wild card at bars, good bars will have a great Old Fashioned. I typically ask them to be a touch less sweet, mostly because bars are trying to please a wider crowd and don't want to overwhelm guests with an overly spirit forward cocktail. So keep in mind that Old Fashioneds typically tend to be on the sweeter side while out. But if you're looking for a few classics that most bars can make; A Manhattan, Bourbon Smash, Sour, or Paper Plane- all great options.
Vodka bevs are so widely versatile that I could make a whole other post about the versatility of the spirit itself. With the options so broad you're bound to like at least a few cocktails on a menu that contain it. Highball, Cosmopolitan, Dirty Martini, Lemon Drop, Moscow Mule, Bloody Mary, the list could go on and on. It's all in finding the flavors you like and then matching that to your cocktail order.
Bartender's tip: For those that like the canned seltzers (ie: Whiteclaw, Highnoon etc.) is to order a Highball instead. They're typically cheaper, have less artificial ingredients and an equal ABV.
Rum and Gin options at bars tend to be a little sparse. Because they're just not as popular, and the options and preferences of those spirits tend to be very wide with how the spirits themselves can taste.
A Rum can be dark, light, funky, spicy, full bodied etc. and those might not be what you want but the next guest loves. So stocking those in a full bar is a bit hard. But if you have a favorite Rum and you spot it on the back bar; A Classic Daiquiri, Painkiller, and Junglebird are all great slightly tropical options.
Gin can be floral, citrusy, juniper forward, mineral, crisp, aromatic etc. and gin brands all have their special 'brew' of flavors that give your cocktail a signature taste. Keeping that in mind; a Gin Martini, Gimlet, French 75, and Aviation are fabulous choices.
At the end of the night choose a cocktail that you love, sip with those that bring you joy and as always cheers to a great time.
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