In early May, trade publication Drinks International (DI) released its list of the past year’s most popular cocktails around the globe. To create the annual ranking, DI surveys the world’s top bars and asks each to name its best-selling drinks for the year. The responses are then weighted and ranked. This year, the publication surveyed 100 bars from 33 countries to create a roundup of the year’s most in-demand libations.
The shoo-in classics like Martinis, Manhattans, and Old Fashioneds are all still present, but this year’s list saw a staggering number of cocktail debuts, particularly those in the gin and mezcal categories. Stagnation is boring, so it’s always nice to see some new talent. This year’s roundup also saw a fair amount of representation from the tiki world, proving that the global love affair with tropical drinks is far from fading. Meanwhile, a few more recent trends made their presence known — cough, Espresso Martini, cough — and some cocktails vanished off the list altogether. To the Irish Coffee and Long Island Iced Tea, you will be missed.
This year’s top spot may surprise you, but we can’t deny that we saw it coming. Gather ‘round as we dive into the 50 most popular cocktails of the year.
50. Air Mail
Making its first-ever appearance on this list is the Air Mail, a Champagne-topped Daiquiri variation that Bacardi promoted in the 1930s. On that front, we recommend using Bacardi Gold rum in this drink to keep it in line with the original recipe. The Air Mail has a lot in common with fellow list-maker the French 75, and while there’s some debate on what glassware to use, a highball glass best accommodates the cocktail’s build.
49. Southside
The Southside’s origins are as hazy as the cocktail itself. Even its flavor profile — while absolutely delicious — is tough to pinpoint. Is it a gin Mojito? A Gimlet with mint? However you want to make sense of it, the Southside has reentered this list after a brief respite, and we couldn’t be happier to see its return.
48. Hanky Panky
Created in the 1920s by bartender Ada “Coley” Coleman, this cocktail is a simple combination of gin, sweet vermouth, and a few dashes of Fernet-Branca. Bartenders around the world are increasingly showing their love for amaro, pushing the category into the mainstream. For any Negroni lover, the Hanky Panky is a must-try.
47. Rum Old Fashioned
The Rum Old Fashioned is the perfect vehicle for showcasing an aged rum’s distinct barrel character. While there are many interpretations of this cocktail, the common addition of allspice dram, Demerara syrup, and bitters play up the rum’s inherent spice and vanilla notes, much like how simple syrup and bitters work together in a traditional Old Fashioned. For an agave-inspired riff on the classic, check out Phil Ward’s Oaxaca Old Fashioned.
46. Army & Navy
The Army & Navy is a classic gin cocktail with a tiki twist, courtesy of a splash of orgeat and a dash of Angostura bitters. The drink’s exact origins are unknown, though the two running plausible theories are that it was either created in honor of an annual football match between members of the U.S. military branches or that the drink was first introduced on the menu atWashington, D.C.’s Army & Navy Club. Regardless, it’s getting some recognition this year.
45. Caipirinha
As Brazil’s national cocktail, the Caipirinha had a moment in the spotlight during the 2016 Olympics in Rio. The cocktail is made with Brazil’s national spirit, cachaça, along with sugar and lime — kind of like a South American Ti’ Punch with ice. And just like the Ti’ Punch, the Caipirinha can be a choose-your-own-adventure cocktail, so feel free to tweak the spec to your personal taste.
44. Old Cuban
Famed bartender Audrey Saunders created the Old Cuban in 2001, and debuted it on the menu at New York’s Bemelmans Bar the following year. A take on the classic Mojito, the drink combines aged rum, mint leaves, simple syrup, lime juice, Angostura bitters, and a Champagne floater. The result is a more celebratory version of the Cuban classic. For another mint-kissed, Saunders-made modern classic, we urge you to check out the Gin Gin Mule.
43. Aviation
You’ve likely acquainted yourself with Tom Collins. Now, meet the Aviation: Served up in a Martini glass, the gorgeous lavender-colored cocktail is made with crème de violette or crème Yvette, Maraschino liqueur, gin, and lemon juice. That said, many Aviation interpretations have emerged over the years, so there’s a fair amount of wiggle room in this cocktail’s spec. The Aviation has had a bumpy flight, descending nine spots since last year.
42. Sidecar
Brandy, a tragically underrepresented spirit on this list, earns a well-deserved moment in the spotlight in one of the world’s most ordered cocktails. The Sidecar is a good place to start for those not familiar with the distilled wine: The drink mixes brandy, lemon, and triple sec, making for a tart and refreshing sipper. Don’t forget the sugar rim!
41. Bramble
The Bramble was developed by the late Dick Bradsell — the same guy who gave us the Espresso Martini — at London’s Fred’s Club in 1984. It was designed to be a quintessentially British cocktail, evoking memories of the fresh blackberries Bradsell used to enjoy on the Isle of Wight off England’s southern coast. The cocktail boasts a straightforward build of gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and blackberry liqueur, all mingling within a mountain of crushed ice.
40. Cosmopolitan
The days of the Cosmo as the bartender’s piñata are over. Now, you’ll see crafted spins on this drink, which was created by Toby Cecchini in 1988. If you need reminding, it’s built with vodka, triple sec, cranberry, and lime, but its legacy clearly persists.
39. Vieux Carré
Translating to “old square,” the Vieux Carré’s name is a nod to New Orleans’ French Quarter, where the drink was born. More specifically, it was invented at the Hotel Monteleone’s famous Carousel Bar in 1938. With a similar build to the Manhattan, the Vieux Carré contains brandy, whiskey, sweet vermouth, Benedictine, Angostura, and Peychaud’s Bitters.
38. Painkiller
A 1970s staple, the Painkiller was first mixed up in the British Virgin Islands with Pusser’s Navy Rum. Add pineapple and orange juices plus a dollop of coconut cream, and you’re instantly transported to the tropics. Not to mention, the grated nutmeg garnish brings some decadent baking spice aromas into this cocktail’s bouquet.
37. Vesper
When James Bond wasn’t drinking terrible Martinis, he often ordered a Vesper, a drink invented by his creator Ian Fleming. The cocktail first popped up in Fleming’s “Casino Royale” in 1953 and is made with gin, vodka, and Lillet. Just like the Gibson, the Vesper is an official member of the Martini family tree.
36. Vodka Martini
Admittedly, the Vodka Martini is pretty basic — some chilled vodka mixed with a little dry vermouth — but is still in demand at the world’s best cocktail bars. Some even insist that vermouth isn’t necessary to craft a well-made Vodka Martini. The cocktail dipped in popularity slightly this year, slipping five spots.
35. Mezcal Margarita
A smoky spin on the original Margarita, this riff employs the popular Oaxacan spirit in place of traditional tequila. Mezcal has been enjoying quite a bit of fame recently, and given the myriad agave varieties the spirit is made with, it provides the drink with some added range. A Mezcal Marg’s profile can range from smoky and vegetal all the way to tropical and fruit-forward.
34. Naked & Famous
Making its debut on the list, the Naked & Famous is “the bastard love child of the Last Word and the Paper Plane conceived in the mountains of Oaxaca,” as described by its creator, Joaquín Simó. Mezcal and lime juice harmonize with equal-parts yellow Chartreuse and Aperol in this refreshing, multinational masterpiece. For another Simó equal-parts original, we highly recommend checking out the Kingston Negroni.
33. Gin Basil Smash
A riff on Dale DeGroff’s take on the Whiskey Smash, the Gin Basil Smash (a.k.a. the Gin Pesto) was invented in 2008 by German bartender Jörg Meyer. The herbaceous qualities of the gin and muddled basil couple to create an aromatic bouquet reminiscent of summer flowers and fresh Caprese salad. On that note, Meyer suggests “serv[ing] this to your guests with buffalo mozzarella.”
32. Pornstar Martini
The Pornstar Martini reenters the list at No. 32. This lighthearted, fruit-forward cocktail is served alongside a shot of sparkling wine (usually Champagne or Prosecco) that can be dumped in the cocktail or sipped separately. The wine’s dry acidity provides a level of restraint to the cocktail’s velvety vanilla sweetness.
31. Dark ‘n’ Stormy
Sometimes, simple is best: The Dark ’n’ Stormy contains a mix of Goslings rum (and only Goslings rum, according to purists) and ginger beer. For the drink’s iconic layered visual effect, carefully float the black strap rum on top of the ginger beer — no mixing necessary.
30. Bee’s Knees
Honey is the star of this simple and delicious Prohibition-era cocktail. The combination of gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup is balanced and quaffable, and it’s easy to make ahead in a big batch for parties.
29. Zombie
Fruity, bright, and crushable, this tiki cocktail was first invented in Hollywood by bartender Don the Beachcomber in 1934. The cocktail consists of a juice trio (lime, lemon, and pineapple), Don’s Mix, Angostura bitters, brown sugar, and three different types of rum (light, dark, and 151-proof). Infamous for its two-per-customer limit implemented by Don himself, the drink is as potent as it is refreshing.
28. Corpse Reviver #2
Leaping from No. 48 to 28 this year, the Corpse Reviver #2 is making a comeback. Maybe that’s because it’s something of a sequel on its own: It’s the second of two versions of the cocktail. While the Corpse Reviver #1 calls for Cognac, Calvados, brandy, and vermouth, Corpse Reviver #2 uses equal-parts gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, and a dash of absinthe. As its name suggests, it makes for a wonderful “hair of the dog” cocktail.
27. Piña Colada
Another nod to the tropical cocktail resurgence, this 1970s-era Puerto Rican slushie is made with white rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. The name quite literally translates to “strained pineapple.” This decadent classic is best enjoyed with your toes in the sand — or while caught in the rain.
26. Sazerac
The Sazerac has jumped a few notches since last year, proving its staying power. The drink originated in the 1850s in New Orleans, and remains deeply entwined with Crescent City culture. It can be made with rye or brandy along with Demerara syrup, Peychaud’s Bitters, a lemon twist, and absinthe as needed.
25. Gin Fizz
A delicious craft gin can make the Gin Fizz shine. Since the cocktails inception in the 1800s, it’s inspired a number of other classics like the Scotch-based Morning Glory Fizz and the notoriously labor-intensive Ramos Gin Fizz. The simple drink — holding it down in the top 25 this year — is a mix of gin, lemon, sugar, soda, and often an egg white.
24. Jungle Bird
Hailing from Malaysia, the Jungle Bird is a tiki drink that blends dark rum, pineapple juice, and Italian apéretif Campari. While it was first served in a ceramic bird-shaped vessel, modern interpretations perpetuate the bird theme with a trio of pineapple fronds emerging from the glass, mimicking the appearance of a few vibrant feathers. For those new to Campari, the Jungle Bird offers a great introduction.
23. Amaretto Sour
The Amaretto Sour is a staple at the world’s best bars and a drink we’ve compared to a liquid Sour Patch Kid. Despite the Italian liqueur employed in its base, many believe that the Amaretto Sour was a product of the U.S. cocktail scene’s disco era. It’s sweet from the nutty amaretto and sour from lemon juice, while egg white smooths out the tang.
22. Clover Club
The Clover Club is a pre-Prohibition cocktail named after a men’s club in Philadelphia. After the American dry spell, it largely fell out of popularity, but was given a breath of new life in the late aughts by industry veteran Julie Reiner at her Brooklyn bar of the same name. The bright pink drink contains gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and an egg white. Garnish with a few raspberries or a lemon twist, and you’re in for a treat.
21. Gimlet
Originally created by British sailors as a boozy effort to fight off scurvy, the Gimlet hits like a gin-based Daiquiri. Two parts gin, one part lime juice, and one-half part sweetener, this timeless drink is an easy sipper that has inspired many iterations. It’s no wonder that it’s maintained its place in the top 25 for the fourth year in a row.
20. Americano
Not to be confused with the espresso drink — in fact, it has nothing to do with coffee at all — this Italian cocktail was created by Gaspare Campari, who served it in his bar Caffè Campari in the 1860s. Consider the Americano a Negroni Lite, as its build contains Campari, vermouth, and soda water. It’s rising in popularity, so if you haven’t encountered it, it might be worth seeking out.
19. Mai Tai
The Mai Tai, perhaps the tiki-est of tiki cocktails, is clearly hard to resist among the world’s drinkers. Trader Vic’s original recipe called for Wray and Nephew 17 as its base rum, but that expression is no longer available. In light of that, modern specs typically include a few varieties of rum, orange juice, triple sec, and several sweeteners to achieve a similar tropical profile.
18. Boulevardier
The Boulevardier could be considered the Negroni’s fraternal twin, as it utilizes whiskey instead of gin. Its equal-parts build of rye, amaro, and sweet vermouth should be garnished with an orange twist, and then you’ve got yourself an afternoon.
17. Last Word
The Last Word — which combines gin, green Chartreuse, Maraschino liqueur, and lime juice — was invented at the Detroit Athletic Club around 1915, but fell into relative obscurity by the mid-1900s. Its modern revival has been credited to bartender Murray Stenson, who came across the drink in an old bar manual while working at Seattle’s Zig Zag Café in 2004. It’s tart, sweet, herbal, and absolutely delicious.
16. Mojito
The Mojito might be Cuba’s most popular contribution to cocktail culture. The mix of white rum, lime juice, cane sugar, soda, and muddled mint is fresh and tropical. It’s a certified classic that we don’t expect to disappear any time soon.
15. French 75
The French 75 calls for gin, lemon juice, sugar, and Champagne. It’s a classy affair, and works just as well for celebrations as it does for your Friday nights in. The drink climbed two spots since last year.
14. Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary is as much an experience as it is a drink. The brunch-time staple is best enjoyed with a house mix of tomato juice, vodka, and spices. And if maximalist is your thing, many modern, on-menu versions are now served with an array of savory (and sometimes silly) garnishes, from celery and olives to bacon and entire cheeseburgers.
13. Paloma
The Paloma is among the most loved tequila drinks at VinePair. It entered this cocktail list for the first time in 2017, and has not only stuck around, but risen in rank. The Paloma highlights tequila and grapefruit — we think blanco, grapefruit soda (Squirt, if it’s around), and a squeeze of fresh lime work well. You can also switch it up with seasonal ingredients or swap out the tequila for some slightly smoky mezcal.
12. Pisco Sour
The Pisco Sour, starring the Peruvian and Chilean national spirit, was ironically invented by an American bartender. This blend of pisco, lime, simple syrup, and an optional egg white is appropriate for any occasion. For those on the prowl for other pisco-based cocktails, we recommend checking out the Pisco Punch and the El Capitán.
11. Moscow Mule
This famous Manhattan-born drink contains ginger, vodka, lime, and soda. It’s famously served in a copper mug, which helps to keep it ice cold down to the very last sip. Nowadays, there’s a whole family of Mule cocktails out there, but it’s hard to top the one that started it all.
10. Penicillin
Few modern classics are as ubiquitous as the almighty Penicillin. Created by Sam Ross, co-owner of New York’s Attaboy, this cocktail is a smoky-sweet combo of Islay Scotch, blended Scotch, lemon juice, and honey-ginger simple syrup. While no antibiotics are present here, the Penicillin might help clear your sinuses and warm your soul.
9. Aperol Spritz
If you haven’t noticed the Aperol Spritz, you haven’t been drinking (or scrolling on Instagram). This popular aperitif is as visually pleasing as it is tasty, and it’s easy to make with its three-two-one ratio of Prosecco, Aperol, and soda. Though originally garnished with a green olive, most opt for an orange wedge.
8. Manhattan
It’s hard to stray from the Manhattan, and the ascent of rye whiskey makes it even more difficult. Rye, sweet vermouth, and two dashes of Angostura are simply stirred, strained, and garnished with a brandied cherry for a drink that can make you feel like a true class act. For a slightly drier rendition, try out the Perfect Manhattan.
7. Whiskey Sour
This dependable drink is an easy fit for whiskey lovers as well as those who are typically wary of the brown spirit with its lemony lift and slight sweetness. The simple recipe calls for whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar, though many insist an egg white is an essential component.
6. Dry Martini
A well-made dry Martini is pure elegance in a glass. Despite the drink’s simple build, Martini specs are one of the biggest points of contention in the drinks world — a testament to how truly personal this cocktail is. Garnish the classic mix of gin and dry vermouth with a lemon twist or a few olives and make it your own.
5. Daiquiri
The Daiquiri is often misunderstood. While many associate the drink with fruit and blenders, a true Daiquiri is simply made with white rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. It’s a tart and satisfying drink for any occasion.
4. Espresso Martini
Like a refined Red Bull Vodka, the Espresso Martini promises a pick-me-up and calm-me-down effect in one dark glass. Also known as a Vodka Espresso or a Pharmaceutical Stimulant (a name coined by the late Dick Bradsell) the buzzy drink is ideal for keeping a buzz going. Since its creation, the cocktail has spawned countless riffs, proving that nearly every type of spirit pairs well with a shot of espresso.
3. Margarita
The Margarita, in its tart and tangy simplicity, is probably the most well-known tequila cocktail around the globe. It’s also one of the most recognizable cocktail names in America. For those reasons, it’s retained its spot as the world’s top tequila-based classic.
2. Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is timeless. Reigning as the most popular cocktail in the world for eight years running, this simple classic is made with rye or bourbon, a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, a thick cube of ice, and an orange twist. Its boozy, subtle sweetness delivers every time.
1. Negroni
We love Negronis at VinePair, and we’re sorely disappointed when a bartender doesn’t know how to make a good one. Thankfully, that shouldn’t happen much longer, as the Negroni has claimed the No. 1 spot on this list for the second year in a row. Gin, Campari, and vermouth come together in this equal-parts build for a strong yet refined cocktail.
