Classic Cocktail Recipes That Are Great for All Occasions

The cocktail recipes listed here are classics for a reason: They taste good. Whether you're a professional bartender or just someone who likes to throw cocktail parties at home, you should know these mixed drink recipes like you know how to make toast.

Brandy Alexander

A sweet and creamy delight.

• 1-1⁄2 oz. Brandy or Cognac

• 1⁄2 oz. Dark Crème de Cacao

• 1 oz. Sweet Cream or Ice Cream

Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a Margarita glass.

Bloody Mary

This cocktail is probably the most famous of the "Hair of the Dog" morning-after concoctions.

• 1-1⁄4 oz. Vodka

• 2-1⁄2 oz. Tomato Juice

• dash Worcestershire Sauce

• dash Tabasco Sauce

• dash Salt and Pepper

Pour vodka over ice in a tall glass. Fill with tomato juice. Add a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce. Stir and garnish with a celery stalk. For those who enjoy their Bloody Marys extremely spicy, add more Tabasco or even horseradish.

Long Island Iced Tea

There are many variations on this popular drink.

• 1⁄2 oz. Vodka

• 1⁄2 oz. Rum

• 1⁄2 oz. Gin

• 1⁄2 oz. Triple Sec

• 1⁄2 oz. Tequila

• 3 oz. Cola

Shake the first five ingredients with ice and strain into a tall glass. Fill with cola. Garnish with lemon.

Mai Tai

A classic tropical drink.

• 3⁄4 oz. Bacardi Light Rum

• 1⁄4 oz. Bacardi 151 Rum

• 1⁄2 oz. Orange Curacao

• 1⁄2 oz. Rose's Lime Juice

• 1⁄4 oz. Orgeat Syrup

• 1⁄4 oz. Simple Syrup

Stir ingredients with ice in a tall glass. Garnish with mint, cherry, and pineapple.

Manhattan

If you make this cocktail correctly, you'll never hear your guests utter this classic line from The Simpsons: "What did I do to deserve this flat, flavorless Manhattan?"

• 2 oz. American or Canadian Whisky

• splash Sweet or Dry Vermouth

• dash Angostura Bitters

Stir ingredients in a rocks glass. Garnish with a cherry.

Margarita

A great drink for a hot summer day.

• 1 oz. Tequila

• 1 oz. Cointreau or Triple Sec

• 1 oz. Sweet & Sour Mix or Lime Juice

Shake ingredients with ice or blend ingredients with crushed ice. Serve in a salt-rimmed glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Martini

A simple and elegant classic.

• 2 oz. Gin

• dash Extra Dry Vermouth

Shake or stir gin and vermouth with ice. Strain and serve in a cocktail glass straight up or over ice. Garnish with a twist or an olive.

White Russian

If you're worried about calories, you can use whole milk or half-and-half instead of cream, but cream tastes better. Skim and two-percent milk produce unsatisfactory results. The Dude in The Big Lebowski settled for non-dairy creamer powder in one scene; that option is for emergencies only.

• 1-1⁄2 oz. Vodka

• 1⁄2 oz. Kahlúa

• 1⁄2 oz. Cream

Shake ingredients and serve over ice in a rocks glass.