Mai Tai
The credit for this iconic 1930s drink—whose name is a nod to the Tahitian, “Maita’i,” which means “good”—is usually given to venerable Los Angeles tiki bar Trader Vic’s.
- story: Leslie Pariseau
- photo: Dylan + Jeni
Cricket Ball
Brad Thomas Parsons came across this understated aperitif at the Red Cat in Manhattan. So named because the drink’s hue matches the color of a traditional cricket ball.
- story: Leslie Pariseau
- photo: Lizzie Munro
Irish Cunt
To cure LCD Soundsystem member Nancy Whang's stage anxiety, frontman James Murphy would mix any combination of Jameson Irish whiskey and Champagne together to create this uncouth, pre-show cocktail.
- story: Leslie Pariseau
- photo:
Fitty-Fitty Martini
Audrey Saunders' fashionably wet variation.
- story: Leslie Pariseau
- photo: Daniel Krieger
Plausible Deniability
Istanbul-based bartender Alex Waldman created this drink with the parameters of using limited citrus with a bitter liqueur to make something round, full and relatively dry.
- story: Leslie Pariseau
- photo:
Tuxedo
A classic dry Martini with fino sherry standing in for vermouth.
- story: Leslie Pariseau
- photo: Lizzie Munro
Sazerac
At first glance, this cocktail looks like a twist on the Old Fashioned with a splash of absinthe and specialty bitters, but the backstory is a bit more complicated.
- story: Leslie Pariseau
- photo: Ed Anderson
Sherry Cobbler
Simply sherry, sugar and citrus, shaken and poured over crushed ice.
- story: Leslie Pariseau
- photo: Lizzie Munro
Bramble
The Bramble, invented in 1984 by bartender Dick Bradsell, is a cross between a cobbler and a fizz, and one of the few drinks that fall into the category of…
- story: Leslie Pariseau
- photo: Daniel Krieger