Classic Cocktails
115 classic specs from our bar programs, written the way we teach them to new bartenders. Search by name or ingredient, or filter by base spirit and method.
Bar terms used in these specs
- Yarai
- A Japanese mixing glass for stirred drinks. A pint glass works in a pinch.
- Nick and Nora
- A small, rounded stemmed glass for drinks served "up." A coupe or martini glass works too.
- DOF
- Double Old Fashioned glass, about 12 oz.
- Up
- Chilled with ice, then strained into a glass with no ice.
- Big cube / Reg. ice
- One large clear cube vs. regular bar ice.
- Double strain
- Strain through the shaker strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch ice chips.
- Dry shake
- Shake without ice first (for egg white), then again with ice.
- Simple / Honey / Demerara syrup
- Equal parts sugar (or honey) and hot water, stirred until dissolved.
Want the technique behind these? Our Bar Tools & Technique training guide covers shaking, stirring, dilution, and building your own recipes.