Classic
Old Fashioned
Whiskey, sugar and bitters — the original cocktail template.
Strong strength
Style
Strong Cocktails
Spirit-forward, low on mixer, made for slow sipping.
Showing 14 recipes.
Strong cocktails put the spirit front and centre. The mixer (if any) is there to dilute and chill, not to take over — which is why these drinks are almost always stirred, served short and sipped slowly.
If you're learning balance, this category is where it shows up most clearly. There's nowhere to hide a heavy pour or a tired bottle of vermouth.
Who it's for
Slow drinkers, after-dinner pours, and anyone moving from easy mixers into the spirit-forward end of the menu.
How to choose
Bitter? Negroni or Boulevardier. Sweet and rich? Manhattan or Rob Roy. Bone-dry? Martini or Vesper. All four are templates worth learning.
Classic
Dry Martini
Dry, stirred and gin-forward.
Medium strength
Strong
Long Island Iced Tea
Gin with lemon.
Medium strength
Classic
Manhattan
Whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters, stirred and stiff.
Medium strength
Classic
Dirty Martini
Dry, savoury and spirit-forward.
Strong strength
Showing 5 of 14
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