The Margarita is a popular Mexican cocktail made with tequila, lime juice, and triple sec, served with salt on the rim of the glass. It is believed to have been invented in the 1930s or 1940s, with several origin stories attributing its creation to different bartenders. 1)
The Mojito is a traditional Cuban cocktail made with white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water, and mint. It became internationally famous through Ernest Hemingway, who was a frequent patron of La Bodeguita del Medio in Havana, where he enjoyed this refreshing drink. 2)
The Pina Colada is a sweet cocktail made with rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, usually served blended or shaken with ice. It was invented in Puerto Rico in the 1950s and has been the island's national drink since 1978. 3)
The Caipirinha is Brazil's national cocktail, made with cachaça (a distilled spirit from sugarcane juice), sugar, and lime. It is known for its simple yet refreshing taste, making it a popular choice during hot summer days. 4)
The Old Fashioned is one of the oldest known cocktails, traditionally made with whiskey, sugar, bitters, and a twist of citrus rind. It originated in the early 19th century and remains a classic, particularly associated with American cocktail culture. 5)
Sangria is a popular Spanish punch made with red wine, chopped fruit, and sometimes orange juice or brandy. It is often served chilled, making it a favorite during warm weather and festive gatherings. 6)
The Mai Tai is a tiki cocktail made with rum, lime juice, orgeat syrup, and orange curaçao. It was created in the 1940s in California and became a symbol of Polynesian-inspired cocktail culture. 7)
The Negroni is an Italian cocktail made with equal parts gin, vermouth rosso, and Campari, garnished with an orange peel. It was invented in Florence in 1919 by Count Camillo Negroni, who requested a stronger version of his favorite cocktail, the Americano. 8)
The Pisco Sour is a cocktail made with pisco (a type of brandy), lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and Angostura bitters. Both Peru and Chile claim to be the birthplace of the Pisco Sour, and it is a beloved drink in both countries. 9)
The Singapore Sling is a gin-based cocktail with cherry liqueur, Cointreau, Benedictine, grenadine, pineapple juice, lime juice, and Angostura bitters. It was created in the early 20th century at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. 10)
The Martini is a classic cocktail made with gin and vermouth, often garnished with an olive or a lemon twist. Its origins are somewhat mysterious, but it gained immense popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, partly thanks to James Bond's preference for “shaken, not stirred.” 11)
The Daiquiri is a simple cocktail made with rum, lime juice, and sugar, named after a beach near Santiago, Cuba. It became popular in the United States in the early 20th century and was a favorite of American author Ernest Hemingway. 12)
The Gin and Tonic is a classic British cocktail made with gin and tonic water, garnished with a slice of lime or lemon. It was introduced by British officers in India as a way to make tonic water (containing quinine, used to prevent malaria) more palatable. 13)
The Bloody Mary is a savory cocktail made with vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and various spices and garnishes. It is often enjoyed as a brunch drink and is believed to have been invented in the 1920s or 1930s, with several competing origin stories. 14)
The Long Island Iced Tea is a potent cocktail made with vodka, tequila, rum, gin, triple sec, lemon juice, simple syrup, and a splash of cola. Despite its name, it contains no tea but resembles iced tea in appearance. It was purportedly created in the 1970s in Long Island, New York. 15)