20 Must-Try Modern Classics
Modern classics don’t arrive by accident. They emerge slowly — passed from bartender to bartender, city to city, until they transcend trend and become part of the global drinking vocabulary. Some were born from creativity. Others from necessity. All earned their place through one simple truth: people kept ordering them.
This list captures 20 modern classics that define cocktail culture today. Some are globally known. Others are regional favourites that grew into international icons. Together, they tell the story of how bartending has evolved over the last two decades.
What Makes a Cocktail a “Modern Classic”
A modern classic is a drink that:
has been adopted by bars across the world
has a clear, replicable recipe
is ordered consistently by guests
feels contemporary yet timeless
reflects the creativity of its era
These drinks have staying power — and they continue to inspire new generations of bartenders.
The List: 20 Modern Classics
1. Penicillin
Smoky, spicy, honeyed.
A perfect blend of Scotch, ginger, lemon, and honey.
2. Paper Plane
Equal parts cocktail with bright, bittersweet balance.
Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, lemon.
3. Tommy’s Margarita
Agave-forward and clean.
Tequila, lime, agave syrup — no orange liqueur.
4. Espresso Martini
Velvety, caffeinated, and universally adored.
Vodka, coffee liqueur, fresh espresso.
5. Naked and Famous
A bold equal-parts mezcal cocktail.
Mezcal, Aperol, yellow Chartreuse, lime.
6. Oaxacan Old Fashioned
A smoky reinterpretation of the classic.
Mezcal, tequila, agave, bitters.
7. Benton’s Old Fashioned
The fat-washed pioneer.
Bourbon washed with bacon fat; rich and silky.
8. Gin Basil Smash
Green, herbal, refreshing.
Gin, basil, lemon, sugar — shaken hard.
9. Jungle Bird
Rum, pineapple, Campari.
A tropical drink with bitter backbone.
10. The Red Hook
Rye whiskey meets maraschino and Punt e Mes.
A modern Manhattan variant with depth.
11. The Gold Rush
Whiskey, lemon, honey.
Simple but effortlessly balanced.
12. The White Negroni
Gin, Suze, Lillet Blanc.
Bright, bitter, elegant.
13. Old Cuban
A spirited combination of rum, mint, and champagne.
Mojito meets French 75.
14. Paper Tiger
A rising star in Asia.
Gin, Thai basil, clarified citrus, subtle chilli heat.
15. Eastside
Cucumber, mint, gin, lime.
The cleaner, modern cousin of the Southside.
16. Rosita
Tequila takes centre stage in this Negroni-inspired drink.
Bittersweet, aromatic, layered.
17. Boulevardier
Technically older, but enjoying a massive modern revival.
Bourbon, vermouth, Campari.
18. Korean Milk Punch
A clarified cocktail trend taking over craft bars.
Spirit, tea, citrus, milk, spice — crystalline and silky.
19. Yuzu Whisky Highball
A staple in East Asia.
Effortlessly smooth, bright, and refreshing.
20. The Clarified Pina Colada
Creamy but crystal-clear.
Rum, pineapple, coconut, clarified through milk-washing.
Why These Drinks Matter
Modern classics shape global bartending trends.
They influence bar menus, R&D sessions, and home bartenders. They reflect cultural shifts — from the rise of agave spirits to Asian ingredients becoming mainstream to the revival of bitter profiles.
Most importantly, they show that creativity, when balanced with craft, has lasting impact.
Future Classics to Watch
The next generation of modern classics may come from:
clarified cocktails
Asian-inspired flavours
savoury and umami-driven profiles
low-ABV and sessionable drinks
sustainable ingredients and techniques
The landscape is evolving — and bartenders are leading the charge.
Final Thoughts
Some classics are born overnight. Others take years to gain traction. What unites them is their ability to travel: from city to city, bar to bar, becoming part of a shared global language.
This list will evolve, but its spirit remains the same — celebrating the drinks that define modern cocktail culture.
