25 Top Cocktails of 2018

Story: Emma Janzen

December 21, 2018

Coffee Gin & Tonic — Honeyed Coffee G&T | Photo by Emma Janzen

Mezcal Ancho Paloma | Photo by Maddie Teren

dewberry hotel cocktail — Panic Button. | Photo by Olivia Rae James.

Toronto rye whiskey sour — Toronto Sour | Photo by Emma Janzen

The Hazy Jane | Photo by AJ Meeker & Ashley Marti

Bittersweet Rum Cocktail — The Departed. | Photo by Ian Patterson.

Naked and Famous Cocktail — Naked and Famous. | Photo by Kelly Puleio.

Cold Brew Tiki Cocktail — The Wipeout cocktail from Death & Co Denver. | Photo by Elliott Clark.

Mermaids Milk Cocktail — Mermaids Milk. | Photo by Jonathan Boncek.

The Polynesian — Jungle Booby. | Photo by Noah Fecks.

Meauxbar Rum Cocktail. | Photo by Emma Janzen.

breakfast bramble — Breakfast Bramble | Photo by Ashley Rose Conway

mezcal avocado margarita — Mezcal Avocado Margarita. | Photo courtesy of Margo's.

Breakfast Cocktail — Toast and Marmalade | Photo by Andrew Cebulka

Don the Beachcomber's Kona Cocktail — Kona Cocktail. | Photo by Max Kelly.

raised by wolves — Iron Ranger | Photo by Anne Watson

Top Cocktails of 2018 hibiscus sakura cocktail — Sakura. | Photo by Aubrie Pick.

alex negranza — Slick Watts. | Photo by Max Kelly.

irish punch — Dead Rabbit's Real Irish Punch | Photo by Gregory Buda

Brandy Cocktail — Loud Speaker. | Photo by Lara Ferroni.

Bitter Giuseppe Cocktail — Bitter Giuseppe | Photo by Emma Janzen

Ghost Donkey — Mezcal Sun-Risa. | Photo by Lara Ferroni.

pisco cocktail — PPP Pisco. | Photo by Tyler Zielinski.

As another year comes to a close, we look back on the drinks that garnered the most attention from Imbibe readers over the past 12 months. Hailing from some of the country’s best bartenders, these drinks captured the hearts and minds of readers for good reason: they’re delicious! Check out our top cocktails of 2018 below.

Honeyed Coffee Gin & Tonic
Cold-brew and honey boost the classic G&T.

Mezcal Ancho Paloma
A spicy, smoky take on a classic.

Panic Button
A jewel-toned beauty for fans of bourbon and bitters.

Prairie School’s Toronto
The New York Sour gets a Canadian twist.

Hazy Jane
Yogurt proves a versatile ingredient in this tangy, savory cocktail.

The Departed
A touch of smoke brings depth to this bittersweet rum cocktail.

Naked and Famous
A modern classic made with mezcal.

Jamaican Negroni
Two kinds of rum means double the fun.

Wipeout
A bittersweet symphony of flavors defines this cocktail from Death & Co. Denver.

Mermaids Milk
Escape to the tropics with this breezy blend.

Jungle Booby
A Jungle Bird variation that makes tequila the star of the show.

Meauxbar Rum Cocktail
The Hurricane cocktail, all grown up.

Breakfast Bramble
Move over Mimosa—there’s a new drink at the brunch table.

Mezcal Avocado Margarita
A unique twist on the classic.

Toast and Marmalade
Orange jam and bourbon mimic the tried-and-true combo.

Don the Beachcomber’s Kona Cocktail
A classic tiki recipe recently unearthed by Jeff “Beachbum” Berry.

Iron Ranger
A tiki drink made with high-proof bourbon.

Sakura
A bright and frothy combo of gin, hibiscus, lemon and egg white.

Highwayman
A sultry mix of smoke, fruit and spice.

Slick Watts
Blackberry liqueur deepens the flavors of this bourbon cocktail from Better Luck Tomorrow.

Dead Rabbit’s Real Irish Punch
Perfect for your next fall gathering.

Loud Speaker
A brandy cocktail with a spark of gin.

Bitter Giuseppe
A modern classic with Cynar, sweet vermouth, lemon and orange bitters.

Sun-Risa from Ghost Donkey
Hot pepper and hibiscus warm up a sunrise.

PPP Pisco
The South American spirit meets pineapple, lemon and pomegranate.

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Emma Janzen

Emma Janzen is an award-winning book author and journalist who reports on global drinking cultures for outlets including The New York Times, PUNCH, The World’s 50 Best Bars, and more. The recipient of two James Beard Foundation awards and two Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, she co-authored The Way of the Cocktail with Julia Momosé, The Bartender’s Manifesto with Toby Maloney, and The Bartender’s Pantry with Jim Meehan; authored Mezcal: The History, Craft & Cocktails of the World’s Ultimate Artisanal Spirit; and has contributed and consulted on other texts including The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails by David Wondrich and Signature Cocktails by Amanda Schuster. She currently serves as the Midwest Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Bars and has been included in the Drinks International Bar World 100, an annual list of the industry’s most influential people, since 2023.