The World’s Best-Selling Classic Cocktails 2019

04 January, 2019

20. Boulevardier

Negroni’s American cousin is down eight places. This whiskey classic was created by Erskine Gwynne, an American writer in the 1920s. The Boulevardier was named after his Parisian monthly magazine of the same name. You can use bourbon or rye, Campari, sweet vermouth and garnish with an orange peel or cherry – the ideal winter warmer.

19. Clover Club

After last year’s drop Clover Club has climbed back up the list by 23 places. This classic has been around since pre-Prohibition and was named after a men’s club in Philadelphia. Despite being very popular in its heyday, it lost appeal and was eventually forgotten about, due to its lengthy preparation and use of raw egg. In 2019 it seems to have gained popularity again and features at 19th on our classics list.

18. Gin Fizz

Appearing as a new entry this year is the Gin Fizz – this is the original variation of the Ramos Gin Fizz, which also features further down in the list. “Fizz” was first referenced in the Jerry Thomas Bartenders Guide 1887 edition, which included six recipes. The Gin Fizz is the most popular of the fizz family and contains gin, lemon juice and sugar, topped with carbonated water – to create the fizz.

17. Dark ’n’ Stormy

Tall, dark and stormy it’s in the list at 17th place, up three from last year. Dark ’n’ Stormy might only have two ingredients but to be classed under the official name it must use Black Seal rum by Gosling’s. In the US the name has been a registered trademark of Gosling Brothers since 1991. You’ll find this classic all around the island of Bermuda, but maybe because it’s its official cocktail.

16. Corpse Reviver

See it and believe it, Harry Craddock’s Corpse Reviver is up a whopping 22 places. Although the original recipe, known as Corpse Reviver #1, uses cognac, calvados, brandy and vermouth, the Corpse Reviver #2 is just as popular, if not more. Use equal parts of gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc and a dash of absinthe.

15. Rum Old Fashioned

Forget about rye or bourbon in this cocktail, it’s all about rum. This variation on an Old Fashioned is a re-entry for this year and comes in at 15th place. 14% of bartenders said the Rum Old Fashioned was in their top 10 cocktails. Use two parts aged rum, two dashes Angostura bitters, one splash of water, one or two tsp sugar, ice and garnish with an orange peel.

14. Penicillin

We only have one man to thank for the Penicillin – Sam Ross, co-owner of Attaboy. We’re talking about the cocktail, not the antibiotic, and the drink is up one place. Just over 18% of bars polled put this scotch cocktail in their top 10. Bartenders have experimented with rum, tequila and gin and had positive results, but nothing beats the original scotch recipe.

13. Bloody Mary

A Bloody Mary – the vodka-soaked brunch cocktail – is up one, with 19% of bars saying it’s in their top Some might question whether the alleged hangover cure really works, but either way it’s still just as popular. For the Canadian take on the classic, use Clamato (clam-spiked tomato juice) instead of standard tomato juice and rename it a Bloody Caesar.

12. Mojito

Mojito, Mojito, Mojito. Down two is the popular Cuban Highball, voted by 20% of bars as in their top 10. Another favourite of author Ernest Hemingway. To make the Mojito in the La Bodeguita way, use two teaspoons of sugar, juice of half a lime, two sprigs of fresh mint, two parts sparkling water, muddle and add one part Havana Club. Finish with four ice cubes and stir.

11. Sazerac

After dropping three places last year the Sazerac has redeemed itself. Up two places this year the New Orleans classic was voted in the top 10 by 27% of bars. The Sazerac was invented by Antoine Peychaud in 1838 and was named after his favourite brandy, Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils. American rye later replaced cognac and a dash of absinthe was added for extra measure.





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