We interviewed 10 bartenders and asked them about their favorite cocktails and how to make them. From old classics to new inventions, find out what they have to say about their favorite drinks and their recipes. 

Zachary Faden

Head Bartender & Manager at Brasserie Liberté, Washington DC.

“The Embrasse de la Terre which he made at the 2017 Tales of the Cocktail Official Cocktail Competition, is one of his favorite cocktails that he has ever crafted.”

The Embrasse de la Terre 

Ingredients - 

• 2 ounces Rutte Old Simon Genever ounce Dolin Dry Vermouth de Chambéry
• 1⁄4 ounce Yellow Chartreuse
• 3 dashes Bitter Truth Celery Bitters

Directions - 

Combine the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into a chilled coupe. Enjoy. No garnish.

Michael Cecconi

Mixologist, and Instagram cocktail fiend.

Dill Blossom

Ingredients - 

• oz dill/cucumber-infused gin**
• 1 oz fresh lime 
• 1 oz simple syrup (equal parts of sugar and hot water - stir to combine)
• Cucumber slice or dill flowers for garnish

Directions - 

Have a rocks glass on hand and prepare the cucumber garnish as follows:
Lay the cucumber on a flat surface, and use a peeler to make as many ribbons as needed for the garnish.

Measure and pour the gin, juice, and syrup into a shaker. Add ice, shake, and strain into a rocks glass. Carefully affix the cucumber ribbon into the glass. Top off with fresh ice. 

**Dill/cucumber-infused gin:

Ingredients - 

• 1-pint gin
• ½ bunch fresh dill
• 6-inch piece of skin-on, English (Kirby or Persian will do too) cucumber

Directions - 

In a blender, combine the gin, dill, and cucumber. Blend thoroughly. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Use immediately or keep in the refrigerator. 

For a no abv version, substitute water for gin in the infusion. All other instructions remain the same. 

Abdul Fofanah

Bar Manager at Leyenda Cocteleria, New York.

“The Oaxaca Old Fashioned, created by Phil Ward, but slightly different. I think an Old Fashioned is the purest cocktail you can make because there is nowhere to hide within the ingredients. This cocktail properly showcases Mezcal, which is my favorite spirit, as it should with minimal distractions.” 

Oaxaca Old Fashioned 

Ingredients - 

• 3 Mole tincture bitter drops
• 1 teaspoon agave syrup
• 2oz Mezcal
• Garnish: Flamed orange coin

Directions - 

Pour all the ingredients into a mixing glass, stir until properly diluted, strain with a julep strainer. Serve in an Old Fashioned glass with large ice.

Jeremy LeBlanche

Bar Director at Thyme Bar, NYC.

“I love the Mezcal Martinez.” 

Mezcal Martinez

Ingredients - 

• 1oz Mezcal
• 1/4 Maraschino liqueur
• 1oz Coffee liqueur
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters 
• 1 pinch of salt

Teddy Martinez

Bartender at Mezcalero, Long Beach.

“Trader Vic's Mai Tai (Smuggler's Cove Spec).” 

Mai Tai

Ingredients - 

• 1oz Rhum Agricole
• 1oz Jamaican Rum
• 0.5oz Dry Curaçao
• 0.75oz Lime
• 0.75oz Orgeat 

Directions - 

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Add ice, cover, and shake. Strain into a chilled glass.

Pedro Barriga

Bar manager at the O'Donovan's pub in Pomona, Los Angeles.

“I would have to go with the Ramos Gin Fizz.”

Ramos Gin Fizz

Ingredients - 

• 2oz Gin
• 1oz citrus
• 1oz sugar
• 1 egg white
• 1oz heavy cream
• Orange water flower
• Soda water 

Directions - 

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and dry shake (without ice). Then add ice and shake once again. Pour in a cocktail glass. Push some club soda back and forth in the shaker to pick up any leftover cream and egg white - then top your drink with that.

Tiana Cornelius

General Manager at 4100 Bar, Los Angeles.

“My favorite cocktail to make is a very simple one: The Americano. It seems slept on in LA but it is delicious, simple, and great all year round.”

The Americano

Ingredients - 

• 1oz Campari
• 1oz Antica or any Sweet Vermouth
• Orange peel for garnish

Directions - 

Pour your ingredients into a highball/Collins glass. Top with ice and soda water, give it a stir and garnish with an orange peel. 

Brynn Smith

Bartender, Los Angeles.

“So many! I like a more booze-forward Negroni. Here’s how I make it.” 

Negroni

Ingredients - 

• 1 1/2 oz. Gin
• 1 oz. Campari
• 3/4 oz. Sweet Vermouth 

Directions - 

Add all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker and mix the content well. Pour it in a cocktail glass and enjoy!

Rachel Malm

Associate at Bitters & Bottles, San Francisco.

“Help is on the Way cocktail is one of my favorites cocktails to make. Infusing your favorite vodka with chamomile tea may take a few hours but the end result is so worth it!” 

Help is on the way

Ingredients - 

• 1-ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 ounce Yellow Chartreuse
• 1/2 ounce Combier Pamplemousse Liqueur
• 1-ounce Chamomile infused Barr Hill Vodka
• 1 dash Mrs. Betters Orange Tree Bitters

Directions - 

Shake well. Serve over ice with a fresh lemon slice.

Christopher Longoria

Bar director at Che Fico, San Francisco.

“I take a lot of pride in everything I make. But if I had to pick one to call my favorite, it would be the French 75. It's such a tight balance but when executed properly it really makes an impression.”

French 75

Ingredients - 

• 1.5oz Cognac
• 0.5oz Fresh Lemon Juice
• 0.25 simple syrup
• 1 dash of orange bitters

Directions - 

Add ice, shake for 8 seconds, and double strain into a Champagne flute or coupe. In the champagne flute or coup add 2oz of champagne or high-quality bubbles. Dip the bar spoon gently into the glass and give it one very light stir. Garnish with a clean lemon twist.

Header image, source: Christian Fridell