25 Most Influential Cocktails of This Century

I just got this month’s Imbibe Magazine which contains what they consider are the 25 most influential cocktails of the past century.

Here’s their list – what do you think?

1. Dry Martini

2. Cuba Libre

3. Mojito

4. Pina Colada

5. Long Island Iced Tea

6. B-52

7. Cosmopolitan

8. Gin-Gin Mule

9. Red Hook

10. Alexander

11. Aviation

12.  Singapore Sling

13. Sidecar

14. Margarita

15. Bloody Mary

16. Negroni

17. Last Word

18. Zombie

19. Mai Tai

20. Bellini

21. Moscow Mule

22. Irish Coffee

23. Caipirinha

24. Kangaroo

25. Harvey Wallbanger

With Honorable Mention to these drinks that are more than a century old:

Manhattan

Daiquiri

Planter’s Punch

Old Fashioned

The Sour

Sazerac, Ramos Fizz, and other New Orleans-Style Drinks

I think that one of my favorite lines in the article is “Last Word – Ten years ago, a request for a Last Word at even the most with-it cocktail bar would have elicited a blank stare.” This would still elicit a blank stare from me – never heard of it until today, so I certainly don’t consider it one of the world’s most influential cocktails.  If you can’t wait to try one – it’s gin, maraschino liqueur, Chartreuse, and fresh lime.  Doesn’t sound too bad – I’ll make myself one tomorrow.

Or from the Kangaroo, “Chances are you’ve never heard of it, chances are too, you’ve tossed back at least one in your lifetime.”  I call the Kangaroo a wet vodka martini – or Kangaroo is also a good name for it.

And last but not least, it is always nice to honor someone – and I’ll give it to Audrey Saunders Gin-Gin Mule as Imbibe claims this is the drink that allowed the bar and the kitchen to marry – and God only knows that now it would be impossible for them to divorce.  But who would get the rosemary?  But the Red Hook, even they admit that the drink’s too young to be on the list and it’s a spin off from the Manhattan.  They claim that it’s the reason for the big Rye whiskey phenomenon happening today (which I quite honestly don’t see much of) – and I honestly would give the Sazerac credit for selling more rye whiskey than the Red Hook.

Anyhow, food for thought.

- Columbine Quillen

I am a mixologist bartender and this is my blog.

Tagged as: 25 most influential cocktails, bartender blog, Bellini, Bloody Mary, Caipirinha, cosmopolitan, cuba libre, dry martini, imbibe magazine, Mai Tai, mixologist blog, mixology blog, mojito, Moscow Mule, Negroni, Red Hook, Sazerac, sidecar, singapore sling