The 15 most popular cocktails in the world

From the classic Old Fashioned to the exotic Mojito, certain cocktails have won over enthusiasts in every corner of the globe. In this list you will find the 15 most popular cocktails in the world, those that continue to set trends and showcase the very best of international mixology. Discover them all and find inspiration for your next drink!

1. Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is an icon of classic mixology, a symbol of elegance and simplicity. Made with just a handful of ingredients – whisky, sugar and bitters – it highlights the quality of the spirit and the craft of the bartender. Created in the 19th century, it has preserved its reputation intact, remaining a staple for anyone looking for a drink with a bold, rich character. It is a favourite in bars worldwide and a frequent star on the silver screen, cementing its place in the history of the most beloved cocktails.

2. Boulevardier

The Boulevardier is a twist on the Negroni that swaps gin for bourbon, creating a cocktail with a warm, complex character. Created in the ’20s by Erskine Gwynne, an American expat in Paris, the drink takes its name from his magazine, ‘Boulevardier’. The combination of bourbon, sweet vermouth and Campari delivers an intense, structured flavour, perfect for anyone who loves bold drinks. Ideal for cooler evenings, the Boulevardier is now a classic enjoyed in top bars worldwide.

3. Gimlet

The Gimlet is a timeless classic. Its balance of sweetness and acidity makes it an ideal pick for anyone who enjoys refreshing cocktails. Traditionally prepared with gin and lime juice or lime cordial, the drink is served in a cocktail glass as a symbol of refinement and cocktail history. In recent years, it has found fresh popularity across bars worldwide, reinterpreted by creative mixologists.

4. Dry Martini

The Dry Martini turns minimalism into an art form. Its origins date back to the early 20th century, when it was first mixed in the United States, soon winning over cultural icons and earning legendary status in the James Bond films. Its renown stems from its clean simplicity and adaptability. With a flawless balance of gin and dry vermouth, it remains a timeless choice in the finest bars, continuing to win over cocktail drinkers everywhere.

5. Mai Tai

The Mai Tai is one of the most famous tiki cocktails in the world, an emblem of tropical flavours and exotic notes. Created in the ’40s by Trader Vic, this drink captures the essence of Hawaii, conjuring up golden beaches and striking sunsets. Its blend of rum, orange curaçao, orgeat, lime juice and sugar syrup strikes a sweet and fruity balance that wins you over from the first sip. Today, the Mai Tai is a tiki bar icon, loved for its distinctive charm and exceptional taste.

6. L’Espresso Martini

The Espresso Martini is a sophisticated cocktail with an intense flavour. Created in the ’80s in London, it combines vodka, coffee liqueur and a fresh shot of espresso. The blend of bold flavours from the coffee and the clean profile of the vodka was an instant hit. In no time, the Espresso Martini earned pride of place in top bars across the globe, becoming the go-to drink for an after-dinner treat or an evening aperitivo, and easily earning its spot among the 15 most popular cocktails in the world.

7. Margarita

The Margarita, a staple of Mexican mixology, is easy to make at home too. While pinpointing an exact origin or creator is difficult, records suggest a similar drink was already enjoyed in Mexico during the 1930s. The drink has grown into an enduring symbol of Mexican culture, captivating cocktail connoisseurs worldwide whether served on the rocks or frozen.

8. Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan has become one of the most glamorous and popular cocktails of recent decades. Built on vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice and lime, its recipe offers a crisp, vibrant profile. Belonging to the Cape Codder family and featured in the IBA category of ‘Contemporary Classics’, the Cosmopolitan continues to delight palates across the world, making it ideal for an evening aperitivo or adding a touch of class to any occasion.

9. Bloody Mary

The origins of the Bloody Mary date back to the ’20s, when bartender Fernand ‘Pete’ Petiot created it at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris. This iconic cocktail combines vodka and tomato juice, often spiced up with seasonings like Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco. Renowned for its refreshing qualities and punchy flavour, it has become a staple for aperitivo hour and firmly belongs on the list of the 15 most popular cocktails in the world, not least because its versatile ingredients let every cocktail lover tailor it to their own taste.

10. Mojito

The Mojito is a quintessential summer cocktail, renowned for its crisp freshness and simplicity. The origins of the drink lie in Cuba, where white rum, mint, lime and sugar combined to capture the world’s imagination. Fresh mint leaves and the bite of citrus achieve a harmonious balance, while white rum brings a clean, distinctive profile. Theories about its name vary: some trace it to ‘mojo’, a Cuban seasoning sauce, while others connect it to the Afro-Cuban word ‘mojo’, meaning ‘spell’. Whatever the etymology, the Mojito remains an enduring classic, synonymous with easy-going convivial moments.

11. Moscow Mule

The Moscow Mule is an iconic cocktail born in the United States in the ’40s, famous for its trademark copper mug. Its simple recipe, blending vodka, ginger beer and lime, lends it a crisp, refreshing flavour that has fuelled its global popularity. Several stories surround its origin, but the most widely accepted recounts an agreement between its creators and a businesswoman who owned a warehouse full of copper mugs stamped with a little donkey. That combination gave rise to this uniquely named drink and its distinctive style.

12. Manhattan

The Manhattan is an iconic cocktail celebrated for its poise and harmonious balance. Although its precise origins remain a matter of debate, it quickly won over discerning cocktail aficionados, earning an essential spot among the 15 most popular cocktails in the world. Blending whisky, vermouth and bitters, the drink offers a layered, refined profile that makes it an undisputed favourite among classic cocktail lovers. Officially recognised by the IBA, it is considered one of mixology’s foundational pillars.

13. Pisco Sour

The Pisco Sour is the national cocktail of Peru, a refreshing serve built around Pisco, a refined grape brandy. The cocktail is admired for its tension between sweet and citrus notes, softened by the silky foam of egg white. Dating back to the early 20th century, its invention is attributed to Victor Vaughen Morris. Today, the Pisco Sour stands as a proud symbol of Peruvian heritage, so much so that every first Saturday of February marks the Día del Pisco Sour in celebration of this signature drink.

14. Negroni

The Negroni is a timeless Italian cocktail, famed for its balance of intense flavours and its bright red hue. It traces its origins back to the ’20s in Florence, where Count Camillo Negroni asked for a stiffer version of the Americano, replacing soda water with gin. Made with gin, sweet vermouth and Campari bitter, the Negroni has become an emblem of Italian mixology. Celebrated every year during Negroni Week, this cocktail balances sweet and bitter notes to perfection, remaining a firm favourite in bars across the world.

15. Daiquiri

The Daiquiri is a legendary cocktail synonymous with crisp simplicity and warm-weather sipping. Built from rum, lime and sugar, this Cuban drink is said to have been invented in 1905 by American engineer Jennings Cox. The Daiquiri has firmly secured its spot among the most ordered drinks in the world: a Caribbean classic ranking among the 15 most popular cocktails in the world, striking an effortless balance between sweet and sour that makes it ideal for an aperitivo or an unhurried moment of relaxation.