In the cocktail world, there always seems to be some new, hot ingredient trending. One week its activated charcoal. The next its CBD oil. Customers can’t seem to get enough of these popular, cocktails-of-the-week. And we do mean week, because next week the trending ingredient might be totally different.
Bartenders make it their business to keep up with these trends in order to appease the drinking public. But it’s likely that when they finish their shifts, they’re actually going to make themselves a classic cocktail instead of the popular drink of the moment. That’s why we asked some of our favorite bartenders to tell us the drinks they actually make at home. You can check out all of their answers below.
Old Fashioned
Troy Bailey, bartender at Primavera Ristorante in Coronado, California
“Hands down, my favorite cocktail to make at home is a classic and very simple bourbon Old Fashioned. I’m a whiskey guy myself and have grown to love this cocktail over the years. The best part about making it at home? It only requires three ingredients and the rind off of an orange, which I always have in my refrigerator. Stir and enjoy.”
Angostura Sour
James Urycki, bartender at Travelle at The Langham in Chicago
“When I’m at home, I tend to lean towards making Angostura Sours. I just love everything about them. They are simple, yet pack really amazing flavor that I can never get enough of. What’s also great about them is that you can easily riff them with any fun spirits or cordials you have laying around if you’re feeling creative.”
Martinez
Aaron Melendez, co-owner of Here and Now in Los Angeles
“I’m a creature of habit. I’ll usually start my experience at a cocktail bar with a Martinez. The same goes at home. It’s fairly simple to make and, to me, is a step beyond a Manhattan.”
Caipirinha
Leo Barbosa, lead bartender at Havana 1920 in San Diego, California
“Caipirinhas are my favorite cocktail to make at home for so many reasons. Aside from being extremely delicious and easy, it’s a cocktail that gives you a sense of physical accomplishment. Making it requires a bit of elbow grease and making it at home gives me all the time I need to get it right.”
Painkiller
Shawn Stanton, beverage manager at Public House in Ferndale, Michigan
“What is my favorite cocktail to make at home and why? Painkiller. It’s sweet, boozy and delicious. It’s great on a Sunday afternoon or after a long day at work.”
Negroni
Anthony Partridge, bartender at The Laundry Room in Las Vegas
“Quick and easy with whatever is closest! Lately, I’ve had Negroni variations. Insert closest at hand spirit, sweet vermouth, and Campari equal parts…and in my case a pint glass.”
Daiquiri
Andrew Meltzer, the beverage director at Noosh in San Francisco
“My favorite cocktail to make at home is a classic, hand-shaken Daiquiri. I am unofficially known as the ‘Daiquiri Doctor’ and I believe that I hold true to my title in my professional and personal life. On chillier nights I like to use a dark rum like Ron Zacapa. Warmer weather calls for an Agricole rhum (yes, with an “H”) and my favorite is Rhum JM Blanc.”
Martini
Stuart Jensen, owner/beverage director at Brass Tacks in Denver
“I like making Martinis at home. I’m a little bit particular about them, so unless I’m at a bar where I feel comfortable telling the bartender exactly what I want, I don’t usually order them when I’m out. A Martini also just feels like a very contemplative cocktail to me, perfectly suited to quiet nights at home with a book or some music.”
Scaffa
Ricky Cleva, bar manager at Harlowe MXM in Dallas
“I spend a lot of time tasting different spirits and cocktails as it’s part of my job so I usually don’t drink at home. When the occasion presents itself, my cocktail of choice at the moment is some iteration of a Scaffa. Depending upon what I have in my home bar, it usually dictates what that’s comprised of. My favorite at the moment is a Scaffa comprised of Foro Amaro and Diplomatico Reserva Rum. The Foro Amaro is fantastic and I’ve already used it in several cocktails as it’s bold enough to stand up to bigger spirits and complex enough to carry the drink into a unique place.”
Gin & Tonic
Mary Pellettieri, co-founder of Top Note Tonic in Milwaukee
“Gin and tonic. It’s simple yet refined with the better gin and interesting tonics out there, of course. I like to get into the Spanish style and add a flair of bitters, peels, juniper berries, and fruit or cucumber.”
Scotch Highball
Elliot Clark, The Apartment Bartender
“When I first gained interest in the world of home bartending, I quickly learned the spirit-forward cocktail recipes. Old fashioneds, Manhattans, Negronis, Sazeracs, etc. But now I like to keep things even more simple when imbibing at home. Scotch highballs with Q soda and a lemon twist are a go-to drink for me. Less is more in my book.”
