You’ve stumbled across our website because you’ve got a love of cocktails or a mild interest at the very least. And you’re looking for the ultimate guide to the cocktails in the world. 

Without wanting to blow our trumpets (we’re more of a French horn kind of team, if I’m honest, yet nobody knows why) but we’re a pretty big deal in the ready to drink Cocktail creation arena. We live and breathe this stuff and pour our heart and soul into these creations (not literally, we’re not sure what a soul tastes like) so we know a thing or two about the best cocktail recipes.

And because we want you to love the cocktail craft as much as we do, we thought we’d put together a little guide to the best cocktails and teach you how they’re made and which ingredients they include. If you are wondering, “What cocktail should I make?” you are not alone. We are here to help.

You can thank us later. 

Or you can just skip to the best bit and sample some of the best cocktails in the world by signing up for our cocktail delivery service.

What Is A Manhattan Cocktail?

Supposedly created in the 1880s for Winston Churchill’s mother, and so called the drink was called “Manhattan” because it was apparently created in the Manhattan Club in New York, this cocktail has stood the test of time. It is known as a classic cocktail around the world.

To make this sophisticated little treat, simply mix Rye or Canadian Whiskey, Angostura Bitters (link to Bitters blog if available), and sweet red Vermouth over ice, strain it into a chilled glass, and top this with a Maraschino cherry. The sweet vermouth perfectly complements the Angostura Bitters, making it a classic cocktail recipe that you should always have on hand.

The Manhattan cocktail is the perfect choice if you’re looking for something strong, slightly bitter, but with an underlying sweetness - this is one of the more mysterious and less ostentatious of the classic cocktails, which help to keep it as somewhat of a hidden (almost forgotten) gem.

Want to experience a Rye Whiskey, but not sure that a Manhattan is your type of thing? Start off with our Maple Apple Toddy, which uses Rye Whiskey, mixed with sweeter elements of apples.

What Is An Old Fashioned Cocktail?

Strangely, the Old Fashioned isn’t too dissimilar to the Manhattan; but is sweeter and you’re able to distinguish the taste of whichever Whiskey you’ve chosen your Old Fashioned to be made with.

The preparation is also very similar; to create an Old Fashioned, you need to mix Whiskey (usually a Bourbon or Rye Whiskey), water, sugar, orange zest and strain this into either a cocktail glass or specific Old Fashioned glass, and garnish with a cherry.

The biggest difference you’ll notice between an Old Fashioned and the Manhattan is that the Old Fashioned will be simpler and sweeter, due to the strong punchy Whiskey and the added sugar within the recipe.

Not sure if an Old Fashioned would suit your taste? Start with our Bourbon Sour to experience the classic “sour with a hint of sweet” vibe, but with a refreshing nod to the original Old Fashioned.

What Is A Sidecar Cocktail?

Heading over to the Ritz in Paris, who are seemingly claiming that the Sidecar was invented in their establishment at the end of WW2 (Is it true? We'll never know), you'll find that this timeless cocktail recipe is still on the menu.

To create this little masterpiece, you'll need to whip out your Cocktail Shaker and other drink mixing tools as you're going to need to add Cognac, Lemon Juice, Triple Sec and Ice to your Shaker. You'll need to shake this well and then strain this into a chilled cocktail glass, et voila!

Again, this cocktail is one of the classic “Sour” cocktails, but can be sweetened by sugaring the rim of the fresh cocktail glass that you strain your mixture into.

If Cognac isn’t your thing, but you still like a super sweet kick in a cocktail, try our Apricot Rye Smash, which really hits the spot!

Make Your Own Cocktail

Go forth and experiment with making your own cocktails at home. Remember, some of the best cocktail recipes use the simplest ingredients. Fresh lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, ginger beer, and club soda are some of the most versatile ingredients you can have on hand. When it comes to the booze, having a supply of tequila, sweet vermouth, triple sec, rum, vodka, and gin is always a good idea. Once you know the basics of your favorite cocktail recipes, you can then start experimenting and make your own creations.

And don’t forget to share them with us on Instagram. And even submit your own recipe to us. We promise we’ll keep it a secret.