The Top 20 best selling cocktails in 2019 based on Drinks International
20. Boulevardier
After last year’s drop Clover Club has climbed back up the list by 23 places. This classic has been around since pre-Prohibition and was named after a men’s club in Philadelphia. Despite being very popular in its heyday, it lost appeal and was eventually forgotten about, due to its lengthy preparation and use of raw egg. In 2019 it seems to have gained popularity again and features at 19th on our classics list.
Appearing as a new entry this year is the Gin Fizz – this is the original variation of the Ramos Gin Fizz, which also features further down in the list. “Fizz” was first referenced in the Jerry Thomas Bartenders Guide 1887 edition, which included six recipes. The Gin Fizz is the most popular of the fizz family and contains gin, lemon juice and sugar, topped with carbonated water – to create the fizz.
Tall, dark and stormy it’s in the list at 17th place, up three from last year. Dark ’n’ Stormy might only have two ingredients but to be classed under the official name it must use Black Seal rum by Gosling’s. In the US the name has been a registered trademark of Gosling Brothers since 1991. You’ll find this classic all around the island of Bermuda, but maybe because it’s its official cocktail.
See it and believe it, Harry Craddock’s Corpse Reviver is up a whopping 22 places. Although the original recipe, known as Corpse Reviver #1, uses cognac, calvados, brandy and vermouth, the Corpse Reviver #2 is just as popular, if not more. Use equal parts of gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc and a dash of absinthe.
Forget about rye or bourbon in this cocktail, it’s all about rum. This variation on an Old Fashioned is a re-entry for this year and comes in at 15th place. 14% of bartenders said the Rum Old Fashioned was in their top 10 cocktails. Use two parts aged rum, two dashes Angostura bitters, one splash of water, one or two tsp sugar, ice and garnish with an orange peel.
We only have one man to thank for the Penicillin – Sam Ross, co-owner of Attaboy. We’re talking about the cocktail, not the antibiotic, and the drink is up one place. Just over 18% of bars polled put this scotch cocktail in their top 10. Bartenders have experimented with rum, tequila and gin and had positive results, but nothing beats the original scotch recipe.
A Bloody Mary – the vodka-soaked brunch cocktail – is up one, with 19% of bars saying it’s in their top Some might question whether the alleged hangover cure really works, but either way it’s still just as popular. For the Canadian take on the classic, use Clamato (clam-spiked tomato juice) instead of standard tomato juice and rename it a Bloody Caesar.
Mojito, Mojito, Mojito. Down two is the popular Cuban Highball, voted by 20% of bars as in their top 10. Another favourite of author Ernest Hemingway. To make the Mojito in the La Bodeguita way, use two teaspoons of sugar, juice of half a lime, two sprigs of fresh mint, two parts sparkling water, muddle and add one part Havana Club. Finish with four ice cubes and stir.
After dropping three places last year the Sazerac has redeemed itself. Up two places this year the New Orleans classic was voted in the top 10 by 27% of bars. The Sazerac was invented by Antoine Peychaud in 1838 and was named after his favourite brandy, Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils. American rye later replaced cognac and a dash of absinthe was added for extra measure.
Down two to number 10, the copper-cladded Moscow Mule is no longer the top vodka classic in the list. But, with 28% of bars saying it’s in their top 10, all is not lost for this simple serve. For a slightly sweeter, oaky version, try swapping the vodka for bourbon and serve up a Kentucky Mule.
The Aperol Spritz is popular again – just like it was in the 1950s. It’s up two places and features in the top 10 for the first time, with 30% of bars naming it in their top 10. Created by the Barbieri Brothers in the 1900s, Aperol was their answer to a lighter pre-dinner tipple. Aperol, prosseco and a splash of soda – it shouldn’t be that easy.
The Margarita might be down two places but it has retained its spot as the top tequila classic in our list. While only 7% of bars named the Margarita in their top three, 31% named it in the top 10. For a complete twist on the recipe, try making Margherita Margarita, by Ben Hardy at Lucky Liquor, Edinburgh, who uses mozzarella-infused tequila, cherry tomato shrub, basil, celery, lime, agave nectar and orange bitter.
Thanks to its renaissance in the bar industry, the Espresso Martini is now a reinvigorated classic among consumers. This coffee-based cocktail has climbed up two places this year and has been ranked in the top 10 by 32% of bars. Known also as the Vodka Espresso and Pharmaceutical Stimulant, the name Espresso Martini finally stuck, maybe due to its V-shaped glass.
The origins of the Dry Martini might be murky but what’s clear is that, in sixth place, this gin-based classic is still popular. Despite being down two places from last year, 35% of bars still put it in their top 10. Some people who don’t enjoy the botanicals in gin might swap it for vodka – we say a Vodkatini just doesn’t compare, as you’ll see further down.
Rising up since its surprising fall last year is the Manhattan. Around 10% say it’s in their top three and 40% say it’s in their top 10. The Manhattan has become commonplace drinking in cafes and restaurants on the German Föhr island. It was said to have been adopted after deep-sea fishing trips to Manhattan. Who knew?
Daiquiri is the most ordered rum cocktail in the list. While only 4% of bars put it as their first choice, the Cuban classic has still managed to move up one place, with 48% naming it in their top 10. If it was good enough for Ernest Hemingway, It’s good enough for the world’s best bars.
Whiskey, Boston or New York, take your pick. The name and recipe might vary slightly but the cocktail remains consistent in our list, third place for the second year running. It is said the Whiskey Sour recipe was first published in the Jerry Thomas book The Bon Vivant’s Companion in 1862. It’s come a long way since and although it doesn’t fare as well as a first choice for bartenders (5%), 50% of bars included it in their top 10.
It all started with Count Camillio Negroni and his request for a stronger Americano, and bartender Fosco Scarselli who replaced soda water with gin. The rest is history. Negroni is a worthy runner up, with 19% of bars saying it’s their number one classic. This iconic Italian cocktail has been in second place for five years running and there’s no sign of it wavering. Try Dante’s Negroni: One ounce Bombay Sapphire, ¾ ounce Campari, ¾ ounce Martini Rossi.
Serve me a drink the old fashioned way. For the fifth year running The Old Fashioned has retained the top spot in the list and in the hearts of bartenders. There’s certainly nothing out-of-fashion about this American whiskey classic. Just like last year, nearly 30% of bars polled said it was their number one selling classic cocktail. Whichever way it’s been referred to throughout history, A Bittered Sling, Cocktail or Old Fashioned one thing remains the same, its popularity.
Related Page: Best Selling 2018
Based on 100 of the world's best bars to rank their top ten best-selling classics. Here are the results
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20. Boulevardier
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Negroni’s American cousin is down eight places. This whiskey classic was created by Erskine Gwynne, an American writer in the 1920s. The Boulevardier was named after his Parisian monthly magazine of the same name. You can use bourbon or rye, Campari, sweet vermouth and garnish with an orange peel or cherry – the ideal winter warmer.
19. Clover Club
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| Mixolopedia |
After last year’s drop Clover Club has climbed back up the list by 23 places. This classic has been around since pre-Prohibition and was named after a men’s club in Philadelphia. Despite being very popular in its heyday, it lost appeal and was eventually forgotten about, due to its lengthy preparation and use of raw egg. In 2019 it seems to have gained popularity again and features at 19th on our classics list.
18. Gin Fizz
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| Liquor |
Appearing as a new entry this year is the Gin Fizz – this is the original variation of the Ramos Gin Fizz, which also features further down in the list. “Fizz” was first referenced in the Jerry Thomas Bartenders Guide 1887 edition, which included six recipes. The Gin Fizz is the most popular of the fizz family and contains gin, lemon juice and sugar, topped with carbonated water – to create the fizz.
17. Dark ’n’ Stormy
 |
Tall, dark and stormy it’s in the list at 17th place, up three from last year. Dark ’n’ Stormy might only have two ingredients but to be classed under the official name it must use Black Seal rum by Gosling’s. In the US the name has been a registered trademark of Gosling Brothers since 1991. You’ll find this classic all around the island of Bermuda, but maybe because it’s its official cocktail.
16. Corpse Reviver
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| No.1 | Cooper & Kings |
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| No.2 | KegWorks |
See it and believe it, Harry Craddock’s Corpse Reviver is up a whopping 22 places. Although the original recipe, known as Corpse Reviver #1, uses cognac, calvados, brandy and vermouth, the Corpse Reviver #2 is just as popular, if not more. Use equal parts of gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc and a dash of absinthe.
15. Rum Old Fashioned
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| Tres Praises |
Forget about rye or bourbon in this cocktail, it’s all about rum. This variation on an Old Fashioned is a re-entry for this year and comes in at 15th place. 14% of bartenders said the Rum Old Fashioned was in their top 10 cocktails. Use two parts aged rum, two dashes Angostura bitters, one splash of water, one or two tsp sugar, ice and garnish with an orange peel.
14. Penicillin
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| Vine Pair |
We only have one man to thank for the Penicillin – Sam Ross, co-owner of Attaboy. We’re talking about the cocktail, not the antibiotic, and the drink is up one place. Just over 18% of bars polled put this scotch cocktail in their top 10. Bartenders have experimented with rum, tequila and gin and had positive results, but nothing beats the original scotch recipe.
13. Bloody Mary
 |
A Bloody Mary – the vodka-soaked brunch cocktail – is up one, with 19% of bars saying it’s in their top Some might question whether the alleged hangover cure really works, but either way it’s still just as popular. For the Canadian take on the classic, use Clamato (clam-spiked tomato juice) instead of standard tomato juice and rename it a Bloody Caesar.
12. Mojito
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| BBC Good Food |
Mojito, Mojito, Mojito. Down two is the popular Cuban Highball, voted by 20% of bars as in their top 10. Another favourite of author Ernest Hemingway. To make the Mojito in the La Bodeguita way, use two teaspoons of sugar, juice of half a lime, two sprigs of fresh mint, two parts sparkling water, muddle and add one part Havana Club. Finish with four ice cubes and stir.
11. Sazerac
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| Liquor |
After dropping three places last year the Sazerac has redeemed itself. Up two places this year the New Orleans classic was voted in the top 10 by 27% of bars. The Sazerac was invented by Antoine Peychaud in 1838 and was named after his favourite brandy, Sazerac-de-Forge et Fils. American rye later replaced cognac and a dash of absinthe was added for extra measure.
10. Moscow Mule
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| Liquor |
Down two to number 10, the copper-cladded Moscow Mule is no longer the top vodka classic in the list. But, with 28% of bars saying it’s in their top 10, all is not lost for this simple serve. For a slightly sweeter, oaky version, try swapping the vodka for bourbon and serve up a Kentucky Mule.
9. Aperol Spritz
 |
| Celebrating Sweets |
The Aperol Spritz is popular again – just like it was in the 1950s. It’s up two places and features in the top 10 for the first time, with 30% of bars naming it in their top 10. Created by the Barbieri Brothers in the 1900s, Aperol was their answer to a lighter pre-dinner tipple. Aperol, prosseco and a splash of soda – it shouldn’t be that easy.
8. Margarita
 |
| Racheal |
The Margarita might be down two places but it has retained its spot as the top tequila classic in our list. While only 7% of bars named the Margarita in their top three, 31% named it in the top 10. For a complete twist on the recipe, try making Margherita Margarita, by Ben Hardy at Lucky Liquor, Edinburgh, who uses mozzarella-infused tequila, cherry tomato shrub, basil, celery, lime, agave nectar and orange bitter.
7. Espresso Martini
 |
| BASCO |
Thanks to its renaissance in the bar industry, the Espresso Martini is now a reinvigorated classic among consumers. This coffee-based cocktail has climbed up two places this year and has been ranked in the top 10 by 32% of bars. Known also as the Vodka Espresso and Pharmaceutical Stimulant, the name Espresso Martini finally stuck, maybe due to its V-shaped glass.
6. Dry Martini
 |
| Liquor |
The origins of the Dry Martini might be murky but what’s clear is that, in sixth place, this gin-based classic is still popular. Despite being down two places from last year, 35% of bars still put it in their top 10. Some people who don’t enjoy the botanicals in gin might swap it for vodka – we say a Vodkatini just doesn’t compare, as you’ll see further down.
5. Manhattan
 |
| Liquor |
Rising up since its surprising fall last year is the Manhattan. Around 10% say it’s in their top three and 40% say it’s in their top 10. The Manhattan has become commonplace drinking in cafes and restaurants on the German Föhr island. It was said to have been adopted after deep-sea fishing trips to Manhattan. Who knew?
4. Daiquiri
 |
Daiquiri is the most ordered rum cocktail in the list. While only 4% of bars put it as their first choice, the Cuban classic has still managed to move up one place, with 48% naming it in their top 10. If it was good enough for Ernest Hemingway, It’s good enough for the world’s best bars.
3. Whiskey Sour
 |
Whiskey, Boston or New York, take your pick. The name and recipe might vary slightly but the cocktail remains consistent in our list, third place for the second year running. It is said the Whiskey Sour recipe was first published in the Jerry Thomas book The Bon Vivant’s Companion in 1862. It’s come a long way since and although it doesn’t fare as well as a first choice for bartenders (5%), 50% of bars included it in their top 10.
2. Negroni
 |
It all started with Count Camillio Negroni and his request for a stronger Americano, and bartender Fosco Scarselli who replaced soda water with gin. The rest is history. Negroni is a worthy runner up, with 19% of bars saying it’s their number one classic. This iconic Italian cocktail has been in second place for five years running and there’s no sign of it wavering. Try Dante’s Negroni: One ounce Bombay Sapphire, ¾ ounce Campari, ¾ ounce Martini Rossi.
1. Old Fashioned
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Serve me a drink the old fashioned way. For the fifth year running The Old Fashioned has retained the top spot in the list and in the hearts of bartenders. There’s certainly nothing out-of-fashion about this American whiskey classic. Just like last year, nearly 30% of bars polled said it was their number one selling classic cocktail. Whichever way it’s been referred to throughout history, A Bittered Sling, Cocktail or Old Fashioned one thing remains the same, its popularity.
Related Page: Best Selling 2018
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