The Old Fashioned: Timeless Simplicity Meets Modern Craftsmanship
Simple yet elegant, the Old Fashioned remains a whiskey lover’s go-to cocktail. Made with muddled sugar, bitters, and whiskey or brandy, this timeless drink has proven its staying power. Its minimalistic approach and robust flavor make it a staple on bar menus worldwide. The beauty of this cocktail lies in its fundamental honesty – it’s essentially whiskey perfected with just enough sweetness and spice to enhance rather than mask the spirit’s character.
Popular retro drink, the Manhattan, has seen a 35% increase on menus since 2009, while the Gimlet is up 63%, Sazerac is up 57% and the Side Car has jumped 50%. What makes the Old Fashioned particularly appealing to modern drinkers is its versatility within simplicity. You can make a mezcal old fashioned for a smoky twist, add a shot of cold brew coffee for a caffeinated alternative, or use chai tea and spices for a lovely seasonal spin. In Wisconsin, a variation swaps the whiskey for brandy and adds lemon-lime soda and muddled cherries to make a Wisconsin old fashioned which is very popular in the summer months.
The Negroni: Italy’s Bitter-Sweet Ambassador
The Negroni, an aperitif that blends gin, vermouth, and Campari, saw a surge in popularity throughout the year. This 100-year-old classic continues to appeal to those seeking a perfectly balanced and slightly bitter cocktail. Its adaptability – from Negroni Sbagliata to White Negronis – further cemented its status as a modern favorite. This ruby-red cocktail represents the perfect marriage of botanical gin, herbal vermouth, and bitter Campari, creating a complexity that reveals new layers with every sip.
The Negroni’s comeback isn’t just about nostalgia – it’s about sophistication. A Negroni is equal parts boozy, herbal, bitter and sweet, thanks to its simple combination of liquors. The bitter component and bright red hue come courtesy of Campari, the Italian aperitivo that’s about as polarizing as pineapple on pizza – people either love it or hate it. But it balances out the sweetness of the vermouth, and when combined with gin, they create a satisfying, well balanced drink. With the modern cocktail movement continuing to grow, the annual event has grown every year. Starting with 100 participating bars in 2013, this week has grown to approximately 120 participating venues to thousands of venues around the world, and to date, the initiative has raised over $5 million for charitable organizations.
The Sazerac: New Orleans’ Liquid History
Sazerac is one of the oldest American cocktails. It originated in New Orleans in the mid-19th century. Rye whiskey, absinthe or Herbsaint liqueur, sugar, and Peychaud’s bitters make up the recipe. It has a unique herbal aroma from the absinthe or Herbsaint rinse and provides a bold flavor. This cocktail represents more than just a drink – it’s a sip of American history, carrying the mystique of pre-Civil War New Orleans and the romance of the French Quarter.
The Sazerac has been making a big comeback over the past year. It’s popping up on cocktails menus, bartenders are recommending them to their customers, and it’s even being suggested as an official state drink. It’s popping up on cocktails menus, bartenders are recommending them to their customers, and it’s even being suggested as an official state drink. The preparation ritual itself adds to the experience – from the absinthe rinse that coats the glass to the expressed lemon oils that crown the drink.
The Manhattan: New York’s Sophisticated Classic
Manhattan is made with whiskey (usually rye), sweet vermouth, and bitters. Usually garnished with a cherry or lemon twist. This drink came from New York City in the late 19th century. It has a deeper, more complex taste than the Old Fashioned. The Manhattan embodies urban sophistication like no other cocktail, representing the hustle and elegance of America’s greatest city in a glass.
Popular retro drink, the Manhattan, has seen a 35% increase on menus since 2009, proving that discerning drinkers appreciate its perfect balance of strength and refinement. This cocktail mixes whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. It got its start in New York City during the late 19th century. Some variations switch out the whiskey type, leading to names like “Rye Manhattan” or “Bourbon Manhattan”. The drink’s versatility allows for personal expression while maintaining its essential character, making it equally at home in a dive bar or a five-star hotel.
The Cosmopolitan: Pink Power from the ’90s
A modern classic, at least according to Punch Drink, it’s hard to separate cosmopolitans from Carrie Bradshaw. But it’s worth taking a look at the viral drink behind the viral show. You can’t ignore the cosmo: its iconic color, its unique sweet-yet-tart flavor, and its presentation in a classy martini glass. While it may seem like pure ’90s nostalgia, the Cosmopolitan’s comeback represents something deeper than just cultural throwback – it’s about reclaiming fun and glamour in cocktail culture.
Thanks to its vibrant appearance and enduring presence in pop culture, the Cosmopolitan continues to captivate drinkers. This vodka-based cocktail, featuring Cointreau, cranberry juice, and lime, was invented in the ’80s and shows no signs of slowing down. Modern bartenders are elevating the Cosmo beyond its stereotype, using premium vodkas, fresh cranberry juice, and artisanal triple sec to create a drink that’s both nostalgic and sophisticated. The bright pink Cosmopolitan gained popularity in the 1990s, especially with the TV show “Sex and the City.” Made of vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed lime juice, it’s tangy and sweet. Some bartenders like to tweak it with variations such as the “Mango Cosmo” or “Blue Cosmo” by changing the primary fruit juice or adding a splash of blue curaçao.
The Martini: The Ultimate Cocktail Icon
The Martini continues to reign supreme as a testament to simplicity and sophistication. Made with gin and vermouth, served with a choice of olives or a citrus twist, this classic has stood the test of time. No cocktail embodies cocktail culture’s essence quite like the Martini – it’s simultaneously the simplest and most complex drink in the bartender’s repertoire, where every ingredient and technique matters immensely.
The martini is making a strong comeback, with bartenders reinterpreting this iconic cocktail for today’s drinkers. While the classic gin or vodka martini remains timeless, new variations featuring infused spirits, mini martinis, and unexpected garnishes are taking center stage. This revival pays homage to the martini’s sophisticated past while introducing bold new flavors. While the classic gin-driven version of this drink still outshines it, the Vodka Martini moved up 21 spots on the list this year, showing the almighty power of all-things-Martini in 2025. The modern Martini movement includes everything from dirty martinis with olive brine to espresso martinis that blend coffee with vodka.
The Sidecar: Cognac’s Golden Hour
The sidecar was popular with bar patrons and partygoers after World War I. Traditionally made with cognac, triple sec liqueur and lemon juice, this invigorating libation sips like a dream. Enjoy with these vintage recipes for oysters Rockefeller, roast duck and more. This elegant cognac cocktail represents the sophistication of the 1920s, when American expatriates in Paris were discovering the joys of French brandy and European café culture.
The Side Car has jumped 50% in menu appearances, reflecting renewed appreciation for cognac-based cocktails. Made with cognac, orange liqueur (Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Dry Curaçao, or triple sec), plus lemon juice, the Sidecar offers a perfect balance of richness and brightness. Modern bartenders are experimenting with different cognacs and orange liqueurs, creating variations that honor the original while adding contemporary flair. The drink’s sugar rim adds textural interest and helps balance the cognac’s intensity with the citrus’s tartness.
The Gimlet: Gin’s Refreshing Renaissance
the Gimlet is up 63% on menus, making it one of the fastest-growing vintage cocktails in the current revival. A gimlet contains gin and lime juice, representing the beautiful simplicity that makes classic cocktails so enduring. Originally created by British sailors to prevent scurvy, this drink has evolved from medicinal necessity to sophisticated pleasure.
Sailors from the British Navy in the 19th century used the Gimlet to ward off scurvy. Today’s Gimlet benefits from the craft gin movement, with botanical-forward gins adding complexity to the traditional lime base. Modern versions often incorporate fresh lime juice instead of the traditional Rose’s lime cordial, creating a brighter, more natural flavor profile. The drink’s clean, crisp character makes it perfect for contemporary palates seeking refreshing alternatives to sweeter cocktails. Bartenders are also experimenting with different citrus combinations and herb garnishes to add modern twists to this nautical classic.
The Brandy Alexander: Dessert in a Glass
Attention, chocolate aficionados: If you’re in the mood for a boozy dessert-like drink, make yourself a Brandy Alexander. This sweet, smooth brandy-based cocktail calls for creme de cacao, heavy cream and nutmeg, making it a lovely party potion. This luxurious cocktail represents the height of after-dinner sophistication, combining the warmth of cognac with the richness of chocolate and cream.
The Brandy Alexander’s comeback reflects modern drinkers’ appreciation for cocktails that blur the line between drink and dessert. Its creamy texture and chocolate notes make it perfect for cold weather sipping or as an elegant conclusion to a fine meal. Modern bartenders are elevating this classic by using premium cognacs, artisanal chocolate liqueurs, and house-made cream infusions. Some variations include using different spirits like whiskey or rum, while others experiment with flavored creams or exotic spices beyond traditional nutmeg. The drink’s visual appeal – that beautiful pale brown color topped with a dusting of nutmeg – makes it as Instagram-worthy as it is delicious.
The Dark and Stormy: Caribbean Soul Meets Modern Sophistication
Despite its gloomy name, the Dark and Stormy cocktail has a bright and refreshing flavor. Vivacious ginger beer, smooth dark rum and zesty lime juice make up this vintage highball. This cocktail brings tropical warmth to the vintage revival, proving that classic doesn’t always mean Continental European or American urban sophistication.
The Dark and Stormy’s resurgence coincides with growing appreciation for rum as a serious spirit and ginger beer as a premium mixer. From the Recipe Creator: Soon after I learned about this cocktail, I brought the ingredients to a family dinner at my parents’. The next time we got together, my dad had the fixings set out and ready to go. Modern versions benefit from craft ginger beers with real ginger bite and premium dark rums from the Caribbean. The drink’s simplicity – just rum, ginger beer, and lime – makes it accessible while still offering complexity through quality ingredients. Bartenders are experimenting with different rum styles, from funky Jamaican rums to smooth Barbadian varieties, each bringing its own character to this stormy classic.
The vintage cocktail revival represents more than just a trend – it’s a return to cocktail culture’s fundamental values of quality, craftsmanship, and connection to history. The resurgence of classic cocktails is more than a trend; it’s a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and the enduring appeal of well-made drinks. These beverages offer a connection to the past while inspiring innovation for the future. Whether you’re sipping a Negroni at a chic cocktail bar or mixing an Old Fashioned at home, classic cocktails remind us that great drinks never go out of style. As we move forward, these timeless cocktails continue to evolve, proving that the best traditions aren’t preserved in amber but kept alive through passionate reinterpretation and respect for their essential character.
