The best and worst made-to-order cocktails, according to bartenders and workers

An Old Fashioned is easy to make and delicious

Alisha Kaplan, bar manager at Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, told BI that a classic Old Fashioned — usually made with sugar, bourbon and bitters — gets you the most bang for your buck.

“If you’re looking for a sour, spirited cocktail, go for an Old Fashioned,” she said. “It’s a simple three-ingredient cocktail that can be easily modified to suit your taste.”

Kaplan suggested asking the bartender for whiskey recommendations or mixing things up with an Oaxaca Old Fashioned, which uses tequila and mezcal instead.

Order a Negroni if ​​you’re looking for consistent quality

Corey Phillips, beverage director at Nina and Rafi, told BI that Negronis are probably familiar to any bartender you’re standing in front of — and chances are, they’ll have all the ingredients.

“In my opinion, a Negroni is a great way to achieve a hearty, delicious and sophisticated cocktail,” he said.

The cocktail is easy to mix as it is made by combining equal parts gin, sweet vermouth and Campari.

You can’t go wrong with a Tommy margarita made with quality tequila

Kim Haasarud, a professional bartender and beverage consultant, told BI that simple margaritas with fresh ingredients can’t be beat.

“A Tommy margarita is 2 ounces of tequila, fresh lime juice and agave nectar,” she said. “Call for good tequila when you order it. It’s simple but delicious.”

If you’re not sure what a good tequila might be, ask your bartender for recommendations.

If you like sweet drinks, a mai tai is a classic choice

Kaplan told BI that mai tais are a great option for people who like sweet but strong drinks.

“This tiki classic is not only delicious, but also more stealthy with its drink,” she said. “It might not taste strong, but you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.”

The bar manager added that it’s the orgeat syrup — a sweet addition made with almonds, sugar and orange blossom water — that gives the drink its complex, rich flavor.

Old Cubans are an underrated drink that almost any bar can make

Shawn Soole, a cocktail book author and owner of Soole Hospitality Concepts, recommended Audrey Saunders’ Old Cuban if you want to stray from the classics.

“A mix of rum, lime, mint and sparkling wine served, it’s a hybrid daiquiri-mojito-royale cocktail that most bars should have all the ingredients for, and it’s always a crowd pleaser,” he told BI.

Soole added that old Cubans are especially refreshing in the summer.

Most restaurants have unique mojitos

Chef Omar Torres, director of food and beverage at Bonsai at the Hilton Pensacola Beach, said citrus-based cocktails like mojitos are a surefire hit.

“Mojitos are versatile, elegant, delicious, and most bars will have a different version of it,” he told BI.

While you can order a specialty mojito to switch things up, the beverage director said options like Moscow mules and French 75s offer similar flavor profiles.

When in doubt, order a drink from the specialty cocktail menu

Haasarud told BI that the trick to getting a high-quality spirit at a lower price is to order a drink from the bar’s cocktail menu.

“The bar may have a special deal with the distributor or supplier, so you may be able to get some alcohol that is much more expensive at a lower cost,” she said.

She added that bartenders usually have more training in making the drink, so you’re more likely to get a great pour.

Long Islands, on the other hand, will cost you more for less

Kaplan called Long Islands “the amalgamation of everything terrible in one cocktail” that “will guarantee you the worst hangover of your life.”

On top of all that, she said the classic cocktail is overpriced and poorly made at most bars.

Amaretto and whiskey sours can pose a health risk if made incorrectly

Austin Carson, founder and co-owner of Olivia Restaurant, told BI that he doesn’t recommend any drinks made with egg whites, such as classic amarettos or whiskey sours. He doesn’t think it’s worth the potential risks of consuming the raw ingredient.

“I’ll generally stay away from egg white drinks,” Carson said. “To do so involves a sanitary means in which I must trust, as well as proper execution.”

Many bars and restaurants now make these drinks without egg whites or will accommodate special requests.

Miami Vices are often filled with less healthy ingredients

Torres said that while he understands the appeal of a Miami Vice, a frozen drink layered with strawberry daiquiri and piña colada. Don’t think it’s a great option for those who want a quality cocktail experience.

“Sipping a cocktail at a bar or restaurant should be fun, fresh, palate-pleasing and good for you,” he said. “Unfortunately, there are many bars that use syrups and many other chemicals to make their cocktails.”

Manhattans should only be ordered at specialty cocktail bars

Kaplan recommended avoiding vermouth cocktails like Manhattans to save yourself from drinking bad alcohol. Fortified wine does not age well and can spoil.

“If you see a dusty old vermouth bottle on the back bar, run for the hills,” she said.

The bar manager added that ordering the drink at bars or restaurants that aren’t cocktail-focused is particularly risky.

Homemade margarita is usually made with low quality ingredients

Haasarud recommended avoiding homemade margaritas to skip the potential hangover from the sweet and tequila mixers downstairs.

“Not all homemade margaritas are made with fresh lime juice,” she said. “It’s usually the cheapest version of a margarita made with gun sour mix and cheap tequila.”

Don’t order an Adonis unless the bar specializes in cocktails

Carson told BI that, like a Manhattan, an Adonis is made with ingredients that can easily go bad, making it a poor choice at bars and restaurants that aren’t known for their cocktails. The old-school drink is made with sweet vermouth and sherry.

“I would stay away from cocktails built on ingredients that oxidize quickly, like sherry and vermouth,” he said. “It’s kind of a ‘don’t order seafood at a restaurant that doesn’t sell a lot of seafood’ kind of advice.”

The alcohol in mixed cocktails is not the focus of the drink

Montes told BI that you should ditch popular poolside concoctions like strawberry daiquiris and piña coladas if you want to really enjoy the alcohol in your drink and get the most bang for your buck. He added that they are often diluted with whatever sugar mix the bar uses.

“As perfect as they are by the pool and as beautiful as they look in the photos, I would overlook having a mixed drink,” Montes said.

The bartender recommended ordering the martini version of the drinks for an equally sweet and tropical option.

This story was originally published in June 2021 and last updated on August 29, 2024.