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THE BROKEN SAUCE EDIT

The Cocktail 50

The broken sauce edit. Fifty cocktails, ranked for character, balance and range.

Find your next favourite
Overhead ruby Negroni in a rocks glass, with one large clear ice cube and a curled orange peel.
01 / NegroniStart here ↗

BITTER. BRIGHT. A LITTLE UNEXPECTED.

A bitter orange edge. A sharp squeeze of lime. The hush of a very cold glass. A good cocktail gets its character from a handful of decisions, and this is our collection of fifty worth making.

Start with a favourite, follow a spirit, or take a small detour. Every number opens a full recipe, with the measure, the method and the finishing touch.

FROM 01 TO 50

The full line-up.

A place for the classics.
A little room for a detour.

  1. Overhead ruby Negroni in a rocks glass, with one large clear ice cube and a curled orange peel.01THE OPENING THREE

    GinStirred

    Negroni

    Bitter · aromatic

    Three equal parts, one unmistakable character. Bitter orange, botanical gin and sweet vermouth make our opening statement.

    Make this cocktail
  2. An amber Old Fashioned in a short rocks glass, with one large clear ice cube and a broad orange twist.02THE OPENING THREE

    WhiskeyStirred

    Old Fashioned

    Rich · spirit-led

    Whiskey has the floor. A little sugar, bitters and orange oil give it shape without taking over.

    Make this cocktail
  3. A pale yellow-green Margarita served up in a coupe, with a half salt rim and a thin lime wheel.03THE OPENING THREE

    Tequila & mezcalShaken

    Margarita

    Citrus · bright

    Tequila, orange liqueur and fresh lime: a sharp, bright triangle, with an optional salt edge.

    Make this cocktail
  4. Overhead Espresso Martini with a thin crema foam cap and exactly three coffee beans in a coupe.04

    VodkaShaken

    Espresso Martini

    Coffee · bittersweet

    Fresh espresso brings the bite; coffee liqueur rounds it out. Shake hard for that fine, creamy cap.

    Make this cocktail
  5. A pale, lightly cloudy Daiquiri served up in a small, fine-stemmed coupe.05

    RumShaken

    Daiquiri

    Lime · crisp

    Rum, lime and sugar leave nowhere to hide. A clean, spare sour that rewards careful measuring.

    Make this cocktail
  6. Eye-level silhouette of a clear Dry Martini in a V-shaped stemmed glass with a slim lemon-peel curl.06

    GinStirred

    Dry Martini

    Dry · botanical

    Gin and dry vermouth, chilled right down. The small choices matter: the ratio, the dilution, the twist.

    Make this cocktail
  7. A golden Whiskey Sour over fresh ice in a rocks glass, with ivory foam, half an orange slice and a dark cocktail cherry.07

    WhiskeyShaken

    Whiskey Sour

    Lemon · rounded

    Warm whiskey meets a bright lemon edge, with a soft foam carrying the contrast.

    Make this cocktail
  8. A clear amber-red Manhattan served up in a coupe, with a dark cocktail cherry at the bottom.08

    WhiskeyStirred

    Manhattan

    Spiced · aromatic

    Rye, sweet vermouth and aromatic bitters make a dark, polished conversation in a small glass.

    Make this cocktail
  9. A bright orange Aperol Spritz with ice and an orange slice on a sunny café terrace, viewed from above.09

    Aperitivo & wineBuilt

    Aperol Spritz

    Orange · sparkling

    Orange bitterness, sparkling wine and soda, stretched over ice. The list’s bright, easy-going turn.

    Make this cocktail
  10. High view into a Mojito highball with clear ice cubes, mint leaves, a mint sprig and a thin lime wheel.10

    RumBuilt

    Mojito

    Mint · fresh

    Mint, lime and rum have room to breathe in a tall glass. Keep the mint gentle and the soda lively.

    Make this cocktail
  11. A pale pink Paloma in a tall highball, with ice cubes, fine bubbles and a thin lime wheel.11

    Tequila & mezcalBuilt

    Paloma

    Grapefruit · sparkling

    Grapefruit soda gives tequila a bittersweet lift, while lime and a little dissolved salt sharpen the balance.

    Make this cocktail
  12. A translucent pale-green Last Word served up in a small, curved coupe.12

    GinShaken

    Last Word

    Herbal · sharp

    Four equal voices: gin, herbal Chartreuse, maraschino and lime. Vivid, compact and beautifully angular.

    Make this cocktail
  13. A pale amber Amaretto Sour over fresh ice in a rocks glass, with a soft ivory foam cap and a thin lemon wheel.13

    Other spiritsShaken

    Amaretto Sour

    Almond · lemon

    Amaretto’s almond sweetness meets a fresh lemon counterpoint, with a silky foam softening the sharp edge.

    Make this cocktail
  14. An amber-gold Mai Tai over crushed ice in a double rocks glass, finished with an upright mint sprig and a squeezed lime half.14

    RumShaken

    Mai Tai

    Almond · tropical

    Rum comes first, with lime, orange and orgeat in support. Nutty, citrus-bright and full of depth.

    Make this cocktail
  15. High view into a copper-coloured Moscow Mule mug with a silver steel lining, ice cubes and lime wheel.15

    VodkaBuilt

    Moscow Mule

    Ginger · lime

    Ginger beer supplies the heat, lime the snap. Vodka leaves both plenty of space.

    Make this cocktail
  16. A deep tomato-red Bloody Mary in a tall highball, with ice, pepper flecks, a slender celery stalk and a lemon wedge.16

    VodkaStirred

    Bloody Mary

    Savoury · spiced

    Tomato, lemon, spice and savoury seasoning make the list’s most confident change of direction.

    Make this cocktail
  17. A pale lemon-ivory Pisco Sour in a stemmed goblet, with smooth white foam and three dark bitters dots.17

    Other spiritsShaken

    Pisco Sour

    Grape · citrus

    Pisco’s grape character meets fresh lemon and a soft foam, finished with a few aromatic drops of bitters.

    Make this cocktail
  18. A ruby-red Negroni Sbagliato in a rocks glass, with ice cubes, fine bubbles and half an orange slice.18

    Aperitivo & wineBuilt

    Negroni Sbagliato

    Bitter · sparkling

    Swap the gin for sparkling wine and the Negroni takes a lighter, fizzing route through bitter orange.

    Make this cocktail
  19. A deep-red Americano in a roomy rocks glass, with ice, soda bubbles, half an orange slice and a short lemon peel.19

    Aperitivo & wineBuilt

    Americano

    Bitter · long

    Campari and sweet vermouth lengthened with soda. A gentle fizz and a bitter, fragrant finish.

    Make this cocktail
  20. Low close view of a frosted metal Mint Julep cup, crushed-ice mound and fresh mint sprig.20

    WhiskeyBuilt

    Mint Julep

    Mint · rich

    Bourbon, mint and sugar over a mound of crushed ice. Simple ingredients; a very particular kind of chill.

    Make this cocktail
  21. A hand finishes a pale-pink Clover Club with a raspberry pick over its thin ivory foam cap.21

    GinShaken

    Clover Club

    Raspberry · silky

    Raspberry gives a gin sour its rosy colour and a bright fruit edge, with foam smoothing the top.

    Make this cocktail
  22. Boulevardier — picture from the account archive22

    WhiskeyStirred

    Boulevardier

    Bitter · warming

    The Negroni’s whiskey relation trades botanical lift for bourbon or rye depth. Darker, rounder, still bitter.

    Make this cocktail
  23. Zombie — picture from the account archive23

    RumShaken

    Zombie

    Tropical · spiced

    Two rums, grapefruit, lime and spice build a layered tropical drink, with an anise note at the edge.

    Make this cocktail
  24. Gin Fizz — picture from the account archive24

    GinShaken + topped

    Gin Fizz

    Lemon · sparkling

    A gin sour gets a tall, sparkling finish. Lemon keeps it sharp; soda lightens the texture.

    Make this cocktail
  25. French 75 — picture from the account archive25

    GinShaken + topped

    French 75

    Citrus · sparkling

    Gin, lemon and a little sweetness under a sparkling-wine finish. A small glass with a bright sense of occasion.

    Make this cocktail
  26. Sidecar — picture from the account archive26

    Other spiritsShaken

    Sidecar

    Orange · sharp

    Cognac lends warm fruit to orange liqueur and lemon. The sugared rim gives that sharp edge a sweet reply.

    Make this cocktail
  27. Tommy’s Margarita — picture from the account archive27

    Tequila & mezcalShaken

    Tommy’s Margarita

    Agave · lime

    Agave syrup replaces orange liqueur, bringing tequila and fresh lime directly into focus.

    Make this cocktail
  28. Mezcal Margarita — picture from the account archive28

    Tequila & mezcalShaken

    Mezcal Margarita

    Smoky · citrus

    Mezcal adds a smoky register to lime, orange liqueur and agave. A small salt edge finishes the picture.

    Make this cocktail
  29. Piña Colada — picture from the account archive29

    RumBlended

    Piña Colada

    Coconut · tropical

    Pineapple, coconut cream and rum turn soft and lush, blended with crushed ice. A properly tropical pause.

    Make this cocktail
  30. Gin Basil Smash — picture from the account archive30

    GinShaken

    Gin Basil Smash

    Basil · bright

    A generous handful of basil turns a gin sour vivid and green, with lemon keeping the finish clean.

    Make this cocktail
  31. Pornstar Martini — picture from the account archive31

    VodkaShaken

    Pornstar Martini

    Passion fruit · vanilla

    Passion fruit and vanilla bring an exuberant sweet-sharp contrast, with sparkling wine served alongside.

    Make this cocktail
  32. Bee’s Knees — picture from the account archive32

    GinShaken

    Bee’s Knees

    Honey · lemon

    Honey gives gin and lemon a rounded, floral sweetness. A short ingredient list with a lovely soft edge.

    Make this cocktail
  33. Corpse Reviver #2 — picture from the account archive33

    GinShaken

    Corpse Reviver #2

    Citrus · anise

    Gin, orange, aromatised wine and lemon meet in equal parts, with a flash of absinthe for definition.

    Make this cocktail
  34. Naked & Famous — picture from the account archive34

    Tequila & mezcalShaken

    Naked & Famous

    Smoky · herbal

    Mezcal, Aperol, yellow Chartreuse and lime pull smoke, bitterness, herbs and acidity into one compact glass.

    Make this cocktail
  35. Aviation — picture from the account archive35

    GinShaken

    Aviation

    Cherry · citrus

    Gin, lemon and maraschino can take a delicate floral turn with the optional crème de violette.

    Make this cocktail
  36. Bramble — picture from the account archive36

    GinShaken + built

    Bramble

    Blackberry · lemon

    Blackberry liqueur trails through a crisp gin sour over crushed ice. Bright fruit, sharp lemon, dark finish.

    Make this cocktail
  37. White Lady — picture from the account archive37

    GinShaken

    White Lady

    Orange · silky

    Orange liqueur gives a gin-and-lemon sour a fragrant middle. Optional foam adds a quieter, softer texture.

    Make this cocktail
  38. Carajillo — picture from the account archive38

    Other spiritsStirred

    Carajillo

    Coffee · vanilla

    Espresso meets the vanilla-citrus sweetness of Licor 43. A short coffee detour, with or without ice.

    Make this cocktail
  39. Dark ‘n’ Stormy — picture from the account archive39

    RumBuilt

    Dark ‘n’ Stormy

    Ginger · dark rum

    Dark rum floats into spicy ginger beer. Lime at the edge brings a sharp finishing squeeze.

    Make this cocktail
  40. Paper Plane — picture from the account archive40

    WhiskeyShaken

    Paper Plane

    Bittersweet · citrus

    Bourbon, Aperol, amaro and lemon share equal billing. Bittersweet, warm and bright at once.

    Make this cocktail
  41. Cosmopolitan — picture from the account archive41

    VodkaShaken

    Cosmopolitan

    Cranberry · lime

    Cranberry gives vodka, orange liqueur and lime a tart pink accent. A sharp silhouette in a stemmed glass.

    Make this cocktail
  42. Vodka Martini — picture from the account archive42

    VodkaStirred

    Vodka Martini

    Dry · clean

    Vodka and dry vermouth put coldness and texture at the centre, finished with lemon oil or an olive.

    Make this cocktail
  43. Sazerac — picture from the account archive43

    WhiskeyStirred

    Sazerac

    Rye · anise

    Rye, bitters and sugar, framed by an absinthe-rinsed glass. A concentrated mix of spice and anise.

    Make this cocktail
  44. Vieux Carré — picture from the account archive44

    WhiskeyStirred

    Vieux Carré

    Herbal · spiced

    Rye and cognac meet vermouth, Bénédictine and two bitters. One of the list’s richest aromatic layers.

    Make this cocktail
  45. Singapore Sling — picture from the account archive45

    GinShaken

    Singapore Sling

    Pineapple · complex

    Pineapple and gin lead a colourful cast of citrus, cherry and herbal liqueurs. Lush, long and full of detail.

    Make this cocktail
  46. Tom Collins — picture from the account archive46

    GinShaken + topped

    Tom Collins

    Lemon · long

    Gin, lemon and soda stretch a sour into a bright long drink. The pleasures here are straightforward.

    Make this cocktail
  47. Caipirinha — picture from the account archive47

    Other spiritsMuddled

    Caipirinha

    Lime · grassy

    Muddled lime and sugar draw out the grassy character of cachaça. Rustic, sharp and direct.

    Make this cocktail
  48. Vesper — picture from the account archive48

    GinShaken

    Vesper

    Dry · citrus

    Gin, vodka and Lillet make a firm, fragrant Martini variation, lifted by a generous lemon twist.

    Make this cocktail
  49. Jungle Bird — picture from the account archive49

    RumShaken

    Jungle Bird

    Pineapple · bitter

    Dark rum and pineapple take a bitter turn through Campari. Tropical colour with a lingering bitter edge.

    Make this cocktail
  50. Gin-Gin Mule — picture from the account archive50

    GinShaken + topped

    Gin-Gin Mule

    Mint · ginger

    Gin and mint meet lime and ginger beer. A lively highball to close the list and open another conversation.

    Make this cocktail

HOW THE LIST WORKS

An editorial selection, from familiar essentials to a few glorious detours. The order reflects the broken sauce edit; it is not a public vote or a tasting award. Numbers 22–50 continue the account’s original cocktail series, with twenty-one new recipes completing the list.

THE SMALL THINGS

A better drink
begins here.

01 / MEASURE

A little precision.

Use a jigger or a small measuring cup. Follow the recipe’s unit throughout, especially where the archive uses ounces.

02 / CHILL

Give ice a job.

Ice chills and dilutes. Start with plenty of fresh ice; use the recipe’s shake or stir as your guide, then serve promptly.

03 / CITRUS

Squeeze it fresh.

Lemon, lime and grapefruit bring their own sweetness and acidity. Measure the juice, then keep the finishing garnish simple.

04 / BUBBLES

Finish gently.

Add soda and sparkling wine after shaking. A gentle final stir combines the drink while keeping its fizz.

NOW, SOMETHING FOR THE TABLE.

A good drink.
Something good to eat.

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