'Cocktails: Because No Great Story Ever Started With Someone Eating A Salad'. Humans have been mixing different drinks since ages to create a new one. But it wasn't until the 17th and 18th centuries that the cocktails became popular enough to be recorded in the history books. The origin of the term 'cocktail' is still not clear as there are many stories behind it. The first cocktails made were the simplest, like the sours, which are made with a spirit, sugar and lime juice. Mixing drinks is an art form to be enjoyed and celebrated, and not all are good at it. Creativity goes up a level as bartenders flaunt their skills with playful flavors and presentations. Stylish cocktail bars seem to be popping up everywhere and we just cannot have enough of it. So, if you are a fan of yummy cocktails, then check out this list of 12 types of cocktails specially curated for you, which can be made at home and can also be enjoyed at a cafe.
1. Mojito
Mojito is a traditional Cuban drink and its combination of sweetness, citrus and mint flavors has made it a popular summer drink. There are many variations of this drink and the famous ones are Virgin Mojito, Rose Mojito and Apple Mojito. Mojitos are the perfect pick to go for after work, afternoons by the pool, weekend grill-outs, you name it. They’re quick and easy to make, so vibrant and lovely, and also you can go for a pitcher if you are serving a crowd. This drink has become the top favorite since the past few years, especially amongst youngsters and goes well with every kind of cuisine.
Main Ingredients: Sugar, Mint leaves, Fresh lime juice, Soda Water
Standard Garnish: Sprig of mint, Yerba buena
Drinkware: Collins glass
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2. Cosmopolitan
A frothy bright pink color drink, Cosmopolitan is a relative of cranberry coolers. This drink gained popularity quickly but it was in the 1980s when it appeared in TV series 'Sex and the City' that got it international recognition. It is generally served straight up without ice.
Main Ingredients: Fresh lime juice, Cranberry juice, Vodka Citron
Standard Garnish: Lime wedge, Lemon slice
Drinkware: Cocktail glass
3. Long Island Iced Tea
A type of alcoholic mixed drink, Long Island Iced Tea doesn't contain any type of tea, as the name says. It was created by Robert Butt as an entry in a contest to create a new mixed drink with triple sec (a colorless orange-flavored liqueur) in 1972. This drink typically contains 22% alcohol content.
Main Ingredients: Cola, Lemon juice, Gin, Light Rum, Vodka, Tequila
Standard Garnish: Lemon spiral
Drinkware: Highball glass
4. Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary was invented in 1921 and this original cocktail is said to have been created on the spur-of-the-moment, consisting only of vodka and tomato juice. With a spicy undertone, this drink best goes with mozzarella sticks and grilled meats and is served on the rocks.
Main Ingredients: Tabasco, Lemon juice, Tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce
Standard Garnish: Celery stalk or Dill pickle spear
Drinkware: Highball glass
5. Pina Colada
A national drink of Puerto Rico since 1978, Pina Colada is a sweet cocktail which is usually served either blended or shaken with ice. The term 'Pina Colada' means 'strained pineapple' which refers to the freshly pressed and strained pineapple juice. A classic tropical cocktail, it gained worldwide fame after the 1979 song 'Escape (The Pina Colada Song)', which became a popular hit worldwide.
Main Ingredients: Pineapple juice, White rum, Coconut cream
Standard Garnish: Pineapple slice or Maraschino cherry
Drinkware: Poco Grande glass
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6. Sangria
An alcoholic beverage of Spanish origin, Sangria is a punchy drink and is described as 'probably the most famous and popular Spanish drink' by Penelope Casas. The term 'sangria' dates to the 18th century and is believed to have been taken from the Spanish word 'sangre' meaning 'blood'. A hot pick amongst the ladies, this drink quickly gained popularity in India.
Main Ingredients: Red Wine, Chopped fruit, Sugar
Standard Garnish: Lemon slice
Drinkware: Wine glass
7. Daiquiris
A simple and sublime drink, Daiquiri is a delicate blend of Rum’s sweetness with the raw freshness of sugar and lime juice. The balance of the 3 ingredients is very important as otherwise, it can be a complete fail. The drink became popular in the 1940s and saw a tremendous rise in popularity in the US.
Main Ingredients: White Rum, Simple syrup, Lime juice
Standard Garnish: Strawberry slice or Lime slice
Drinkware: Cocktail glass
8. Margarita
Margarita is a popular Mexican and American drink which is served shaken with ice, blended with ice or without ice. This chic and classy drink is an all-time favorite and has remained in the top lists since its origin.
Main Ingredients: Tequila, Lime juice, Cointreau
Standard Garnish: Lime slice, Salt on the rim
Drinkware: Margarita glass
9. Manhattan
As the name says, Manhattan originated at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the early 1870s and soon became popular all around the world. This is a standard drink at almost every cafe, restaurant and get-togethers and is generally served straight up.
Main Ingredients: Dash Angostura bitters, Rye or Canadian whiskey, Sweet red vermouth
Standard Garnish: Cherry
Drinkware: Cocktail glass
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10. Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Sunrise is a modern drink that originates from Sausalito in the early 1970s and was once created before in the 1930s in Phoenix. The drink is named for its appearance when served, with ranges of color resembling a sunrise. In the early 1970s, the Eagles recorded a song called 'Tequila Sunrise' as the drink was gaining popularity. It is considered as a long drink and is usually served on the rocks.
Main Ingredients: Orange juice, Tequila, Grenadine syrup
Standard Garnish: Orange slice, Cherry
Drinkware: Collins glass
11. Sex On The Beach
A top favorite in summers, Sex On The Beach is usually served on the rocks. This fruity cocktail has a real kick from the vodka and peach schnapps and is an International Bartenders Association Official Cocktail.
Main Ingredients: Vodka, Cranberry juice, Peach Schnapps, Orange juice
Standard Garnish: Orange slice
Drinkware: Highball glass
12. Martini
Over the years, Martini has become one of the best-known mixed alcoholic beverages and is served in the rocks. H. L. Mencken called it 'the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet' and E. B. White called it 'the elixir of quietude'. Elegant and boozy, this classic cocktail has maintained a place in cocktail history.
Main Ingredients: Dry vermouth, Gin
Standard Garnish: Olive, Lemon twist
Drinkware: Cocktail glass
As it is rightly said, there is a drink for every mood and for every occasion. Choose your favorite from this list and you can have it either at a bar or can make it easily at home. A perfect starter to every celebration, these cocktails are refreshing, tasty and you will keep coming back for more.
FAQs
Q: Why is mojito pronounced as “mohito” with an H pronunciation instead of J?
A: Because “mojito” is a word borrowed from Spanish. Spanish j’s are pronounced as English h’s.
Q: What Is A Cocktail?
A: An alcoholic drink consisting of a spirit or spirits mixed with other ingredients, such as fruit juice or cream.
Q: What is the difference between a mocktail and a cocktail?
A: We have to determine, if 'cocktail' is meant in a popular meaning or technical (and industry-specific) purpose.
Mocktail is simply an alcohol-free cold mixed drink. It derives of the combination of 'mock' which means false - and cocktail (in its popular meaning.
Cocktail is far less simple to define. The original meaning 'Cock-tail, then, is a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water, and bitters.' - hence the author meant an 'Old Fashioned' - this has been at the beginning of the 1800’s. Later on 'fancy cocktails' has been introduced, which added wine aperitifs and liqueurs to 'the mix'. However technically a cocktail over the longest time has been a spirit based short drink. Only in the 70’s and 80’s of the 20th century, this changed to a more broad meaning (cocktail = alcoholic mixed drink).
Hence technically speaking a Pina Colada or a Mojito (and many more drinks) are mixed drinks but not cocktails!
