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.
Al Sotack’s Brainstorm
A pre-Prohibition Irish whiskey cocktail with dry that drinks like a modified Old-Fashioned.
The Black Stallion Sets Sail
A neo-tiki Negroni, made with blackstrap rum and "Ferrari."
Sketches of Spain
A low-alcohol nightcap featuring sherry, sweet vermouth and a measure of brandy.
Felices Los 4
A spiritous—yet "crushable"—combination of bourbon, rum, sherry and Scotch whisky.
William Elliott’s Stinger
By design, this improved Stinger is diamond-clear like a Martini.
Chantal Tseng’s Jungle Cocktail
This little-known cocktail belongs to a vast family of sherry-tinged Martini variations.
Anvil’s Banana Boulevardier
A fruit-forward spin that’s developed a life of its own.
Black Manhattan
Averna stands in for sweet vermouth in this Manhattan-inspired modern classic.
Neal Bodenheimer’s Old Hickory
An obscure vermouth-based classic, retooled for more flavor and less dilution.
Eeyore’s Requiem
A “deep dark Negroni, turned on its head.”
Thad Vogler’s El Presidente
The Cuban classic gets an update, with bianco vermouth swapped for the traditional dry.
South Bronx
The classic Bronx, stirred not shaken.
Thou Shall Not Be Named
An agave spin on the Boulevardier.
Session Manhattan
Sweet vermouth and rye switch places.
False Start
A mix of tequila, Cardamaro, rosso vermouth and Cynar that’s rich but surprisingly light on its feet.
I.B.F. Pick-Me-Up
A 1920s-era classic, retooled with the addition of orange liqueur.
