Cocktail families

Nearly every drink in the cocktail canon descends from one of a handful of structural templates. Knowing the families is the fastest way to understand why a drink works — and to invent new ones by swapping pieces within a template you already know.

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FamiliesBlack RussianIrish CoffeeOld FashionedSazeracVieux CarréWhite RussianAviationBee's KneesCorpse Reviver #2CosmopolitanDaiquiriGimletGold RushJungle BirdLast WordLemon DropMai TaiMargaritaNaked & FamousPaper PlanePenicillinPisco SourSidecarTommy's MargaritaWhiskey SourArnold PalmerBloody MaryCuba LibreDark & StormyEl DiabloGin & TonicMojitoMoscow MulePalomaRanch WaterRoy RogersShirley TempleTequila SunriseVirgin MojitoVodka SodaBoulevardierBrandy AlexanderDry MartiniEspresso MartiniManhattanMezcal NegroniNegroniMint JulepHurricanePainkillerPiña ColadaRum PunchSangriaFrench 75Tom CollinsAperol SpritzKir RoyaleMimosaOld FashionedSourHighballMartiniJulepFlipPunchCollinsSpritz
Old Fashioned 6 drinks
Sour 19 drinks
Highball 15 drinks
Martini 7 drinks
Julep 1 drinks
Flip 0 drinks
Punch 5 drinks
Collins 2 drinks
Spritz 3 drinks

All families

  • Old Fashioned — Spirit, sugar, bitters, water. The original template.
  • Sour — Spirit, citrus, sweetener. The most versatile three-ingredient formula in mixology.
  • Highball — Spirit plus a long non-alcoholic mixer over ice in a tall glass.
  • Martini — Spirit plus vermouth, stirred and served up. The cocktail at its most austere.
  • Julep — Spirit, sugar, mint, crushed ice. The oldest American cocktail.
  • Flip — Spirit, whole egg, sugar, nutmeg. The richest drink in the cocktail canon.
  • Punch — Sour, sweet, strong, weak, spice. The original cocktail template.
  • Collins — Spirit, citrus, sugar, soda, over ice in a tall glass.
  • Spritz — Aperitivo bitter, sparkling wine, splash of soda. Italian afternoon ritual.