5 Cocktails Everyone Should Know How to Make

January 23, 2013

Bartender Ivy Mix lives up to her last name. She’s one of New York City’s best bartenders (and a Speed Rack co-founder with Lynnette Marrero), and she’s mixed her fair share of classic cocktails. So we couldn’t think of a better person to tell use what she thinks are the top five cocktails everyone should know how to make—here are her picks.

Old Fashioned
“Sugar, booze and bitters. Once you get this basic formula, you can substitute whatever you’d like—try it with rum and brown sugar,” says Mix. “Or maybe gin or Pisco and honey? Learn and then expand.”

Last Word
“The king (in my opinion) of the equal parts cocktails,” says Mix. “It’s amazing and interesting, and you get to drink Chartreuse! And like the Old Fashioned, once you know it you can substitute things out—rye, tequila.”

Manhattan
“Classic, delicious,” says Mix. “Play around with the proportions you like, whether it’s 2:1 3:1 4:1 1:1. It’s all good, and all changes depending on the spirit, vermouth and bitters.”

Sidecar
“Fancy and sophisticated, but easy to make and drink,” says Mix.

Whiskey Sour
“Because fresh lemon and sugar and a little egg white makes this drink WAY better than maybe we remember from dive bars and sour mix,” says Mix.