Our recipes and stories, delivered.

Cocktails

Our 18 Favorite Easy Stirred Cocktails

September 22, 2022

Story: Punch Staff

photo: Lizzie Munro

Cocktails

Our 18 Favorite Easy Stirred Cocktails

September 22, 2022

Story: Punch Staff

photo: Lizzie Munro

From low-proof nightcaps to tropical-leaning classics and more.

The category of stirred drinks tends to evoke a roster of classics: the Manhattan (and the many contemporary riffs), along with the Martini and Boulevardier, to name just a few. But the stirred template knows no bounds. Alongside its classic constituents are low-proof nightcaps, full-proof aperitivo drinks, and many of our favorite three-ingredient cocktails.

To get to know the breadth of the style, here are 18 easy recipes to stir up year-round.

Brainstorm Cocktail
Recipe

Al Sotack’s Brainstorm

A pre-Prohibition Irish whiskey cocktail with dry that drinks like a modified Old-Fashioned.

Blackstrap Rum Recipe
Recipe

The Black Stallion Sets Sail

A neo-tiki Negroni, made with blackstrap rum and "Ferrari."

Sherry Nightcap Drink Recipe
Recipe

Sketches of Spain

A low-alcohol nightcap featuring sherry, sweet vermouth and a measure of brandy.

Recipe

Felices Los 4

A spiritous—yet "crushable"—combination of bourbon, rum, sherry and Scotch whisky.

Stinger cocktail
Recipe

William Elliott’s Stinger

By design, this improved Stinger is diamond-clear like a Martini.

Jungle Cocktail Recipe
Recipe

Chantal Tseng’s Jungle Cocktail

This little-known cocktail belongs to a vast family of sherry-tinged Martini variations.

Chauncey Cocktail Recipe
Recipe

Chauncey

A historic equal-parts formula that requires little tinkering.

Banana Boulevardier
Recipe

Anvil’s Banana Boulevardier

A fruit-forward spin that’s developed a life of its own.

Black Manhattan Cocktail Recipe
Recipe

Black Manhattan

Averna stands in for sweet vermouth in this Manhattan-inspired modern classic.

Old Hickory Cocktail Dauphines
Recipe

Neal Bodenheimer’s Old Hickory

An obscure vermouth-based classic, retooled for more flavor and less dilution.

Fernet Cocktail Recipe
Recipe

Eeyore’s Requiem

A “deep dark Negroni, turned on its head.”

that vogler's El Presidente
Recipe

Thad Vogler’s El Presidente

The Cuban classic gets an update, with bianco vermouth swapped for the traditional dry.

Recipe

South Bronx

The classic Bronx, stirred not shaken.

Recipe

Thou Shall Not Be Named

An agave spin on the Boulevardier.

session manhattan recipe
Recipe

Session Manhattan

Sweet vermouth and rye switch places.

Recipe

Rosita

This softer riff subs smoky tequila for mezcal and Aperol for Campari.

Recipe

False Start

A mix of tequila, Cardamaro, rosso vermouth and Cynar that’s rich but surprisingly light on its feet.

Easy Stirred Drink Recipe
Recipe

I.B.F. Pick-Me-Up

A 1920s-era classic, retooled with the addition of orange liqueur.

Related Articles