5 classic cocktails every man should know how to make

Whether you're looking for a way to unwind after work, or just want to impress your friends with something other than beer, learning how to mix up a few classic cocktails is the key. You never know when knowing how to make a few great cocktails will come in handy.

Manhattan

The Manhattan is a classic cocktail that's been around since the 1870s and continues to be popular today. It's made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters--a combination that makes it smooth with just enough bite.

The Manhattan was invented in New York City at the Manhattan Club, which is why you'll often find it referred to as "a club cocktail." If you want to learn how to make one yourself, here's what you need:

• 50 ml Rye whiskey;
• 20 ml Sweet red vermouth;
• 1 dash Angostura bitters

Photo by Jakub Dziubak on Unsplash

Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is an American cocktail that was invented in the late 1800s. It's made with whiskey, bitters, sugar and water. You can also add an orange slice or maraschino cherry to garnish it if you want to make it look fancy!

The drink is served in a rocks glass or lowball glass.

• 45 ml bourbon or rye whiskey;
• 1 sugar cube;
• Few dashes Angostura bitters;
• Few dashes plain water

Photo by Adam Jaime on Unsplash

Martini

Now that you have the basics down, it's time to learn how to make the classic cocktail: the martini.

The ingredients are simple: gin, vermouth (or another type of fortified wine), and ice. You can use whatever brand or type of gin you prefer; however, if it's your first time making a martini we recommend using a good quality variety like Hendrick's or Tanqueray 10.

As for vermouth--the choice here depends on personal preference as well as which kind of Martini style drinker you want to be. Dry vermouth tends to be drier than sweet vermouth so if you prefer dry drinks then go with dry; otherwise choose sweet instead since it will give your cocktail more body without being too overpowering.

• 60 mL gin;
• 10 mL dry vermouth
• Garnish with lemon peel or olive

Photo by Sexto Abismo | Ginebra Surrealista on Unsplash

Sidecar

The sidecar is any cocktail traditionally made with cognac, orange liqueur, plus lemon juice. In its ingredients, the drink is perhaps most closely related to the older brandy crusta, which differs both in presentation and in proportions of its components.

Photo by Ash Edmonds on Unsplash

Negroni

The Negroni is a cocktail made with gin, sweet vermouth and Campari. It was invented in Florence, Italy by Count Camillo Negroni in 1919 at Caffè Casoni. The drink's name comes from Count Camillo Negroni who asked for his favourite cocktail to be made with gin instead of cognac. The bartender added a little soda water and garnished it with an orange slice instead of an olive as he did not have any on hand at that moment.

• 25ml gin;
• 25ml sweet vermouth;
• 25ml Campari; ice.
• For the garnish, slice of orange

Photo by Allan Francis on Unsplash

If you're looking for something a little more manly to drink, we recommend trying one of these cocktails. They are all simple to make and taste great. If you want to get started right away, we suggest starting with our favourite at Joel Wade, an Old Fashioned.