A Caterer’s Guide to The Enduring Allure of Common Cocktails

Stepping into the world of cocktails can feel like entering a secret society with its own language and rituals. But some drinks, those deemed "common cocktails," transcend the esoteric. These classic concoctions enjoyed for generations, offer a familiar starting point for both novice drinkers and seasoned cocktail enthusiasts alike.

As a caterer, you should know a few cocktail concoctions in order to address some clients' alcoholic preferences. Even if you're not a drinker or do not know a lot of fancy alcohol combinations, this blog post should be your "cheat sheet" to help you get started.

Table of Contents:

• What Makes a Cocktail "Common?"
• A Trip Down Memory Lane: The Origins of Common Cocktails
• A Toast to Timeless Tastes: Exploring Popular Cocktails
  • Old Fashioned
  • Margarita
  • Daiquiri
  • Moscow mule
  • Bloody Mary
    
  • Mojito
  • Irish Coffee
  • Piña Colada
  • Long Island Iced Tea
  • Highball
  • Mai Tai
  • Negroni
  • Gin and Tonic
  • Cosmopolitan
  • Manhattan
  • Whiskey Sour
  • Martini
• Why Serving Common Cocktails in a Catering Service Is Important
  • Familiarity and Guest Satisfaction
  • Ease of Service and Operational Efficiency
  • Brand Enhancement and Perception of Value
  • Versatility and Customization
  • Navigating Dietary Preferences and Trends
• Conclusion

What Makes a Cocktail "Common?"

A common cocktail often boasts a few defining characteristics. They’re often simple to make, relying on a short list of readily available simple ingredients. Their flavors, while nuanced, tend towards broad appeal – think refreshing, tart, or spirit-forward. Most importantly, common cocktails stand the test of time, maintaining their popularity across decades and trends.

A Trip Down Memory Lane: The Origins of Common Cocktails

Most popular mixed drinks have surprisingly rich histories, with roots stretching back to their exact origins over a century. Take the Manhattan, for example. This iconic whiskey drink enjoyed since the late 1800s, allegedly this classic cocktail got its start at New York City's Manhattan Club.

Then there's the Mojito, a Cuban classic. First documented in "Sloppy Joe's Bar Cocktails Manual," this minty rum drink quickly gained traction beyond the famed Sloppy Joe's bar in Havana. Its lasting popularity is a testament to the allure of its simple yet perfect balance and refreshing flavors.

A Toast to Timeless Tastes: Exploring Popular Cocktails

Let's explore some alcoholic beverages or popular cocktails that consistently top the charts:

Old Fashioned

Simple yet elegant, the Old Fashioned is a pure expression of whiskey, enhanced with bitters, a sugar cube, and an orange peel. It's a drink that begs to be sipped slowly, allowing its flavors to unfold with each taste.

Instructions:

• Add sugar and three dashes of Angostura bitters to a mixing glass. Add water and stir to dissolve the sugar. 
• Put some ice in the mixing glass, then add the whiskey or bourbon. Stir until chilled.
• Strain into a rocks glass with an ice cube and serve.

Margarita

This Mexican favorite perfectly balances sweet, tart, and salty notes. A blend of tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur, often served with a salt rim, the Margarita's refreshing character has secured its status as a perennial crowd-pleaser.

Instructions:

• Mix tequila, lime juice, agave syrup, orange liqueur, and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake until chilled.
• Strain into a glass with an ice cube and serve.
• You can also add some kosher salt on the rim of the glass or garnish it with a lime wheel.

Daiquiri

Often misrepresented as overly sweet and artificial, a proper Daiquiri is a testament to fresh, simple flavors. Composed of rum, lime juice, and sugar, this Cuban cocktail delivers a delightful balance of tartness and sweetness.

Instructions:

• In an ice-filled shaker, add rum, lime juice, and sugar. Shake until chilled.
• Use a fine mesh to double-strain the cocktail into a coupe glass.
• Add a lime twist as a garnish. Enjoy.

Moscow Mule

Known for its refreshing ginger kick and signature copper mug, the Moscow Mule is a vodka-based cocktail with broad appeal. Its combination of vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any time of day.

Instructions:

• Add ice to a highball glass (preferably a Moscow Mule mug for a more "authentic" drinking experience), and add vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice.
• Add lime wheel as a garnish. Cheers!

Bloody Mary

The Bloody Mary is a very interesting common cocktail that is enjoyed any time of day. With tomato juice and vodka as the main base, it also consists of other ingredients like hot sauces, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and celery stalk. It is completely adaptable to your taste. 

Instructions:

• Rub a lemon on the rim of a glass to moisten it. Then dip the moist part of the rim in celery salt to coat it.
• Add ice to the glass.
• Squeeze and drop lemon and lime wedges in a cocktail shaker.
• Mix vodka, tomato juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, pepper, and paprika in the shaker. Add ice and some celery salt.
• Gently shake and then strain the contents into the glass prepared earlier.
• You can add olives, lime wedge, parsley sprig, and celery stalk as a garnish but it also completes the look of this cocktail.

Mojito

The Mojito is a Cuban classic cocktail that combines the flavors of mint and lime. This was rumored to be Ernest Hemingway's favorite drink but some sources state that this was not the case. However, we can all agree that this is one refreshing cocktail that clients will surely love.

Instructions:

• In a shaker, lightly mix 3 mint leaves with simple syrup.
• Add rum, lime juice, and ice. Shake until chilled.
• Strain contents into a highball glass with ice.
• Add lime wheel and mint sprig as garnish.

Irish Coffee

This coffee liqueur is a common drink perfect to serve especially during the cold season. A classic Irish Coffee is made up of 4 ingredients: whiskey, hot coffee, sugar, and whipped cream. This is a perfect drink to perk you up during cold mornings.

Instructions:

• Add hot water to an Irish Coffee mug. Let it warm for a couple of minutes and remove the water.
• Mix whiskey, sugar, and coffee in the mug.
• Add whipped cream on top of the concoction. Sip and relax.

Piña Colada

A tropical blend of pineapple juice, coconut milk, and white rum. One of the most popular cocktails to serve especially in the summer months.

A common cocktail suited for social occasions for example summer pool parties. This refreshing drink originated from Puerto Rico and is definitely one of the favorites.

Instructions:

• In a shaker, add rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, and lime juice. Fill with ice and then shake.
• Strain the contents into a Hurricane glass filled with nugget ice.
• Use a pineapple wedge as garnish. Relish.

Long Island Iced Tea

Long Island Iced Tea has a reputation for getting people drunk because it is known to be one of the strongest cocktails. This well-known cocktail consists of 5 spirits, mainly gin, vodka, rum, tequila, and triple sec. This is the perfect cocktail for people who like their drinks strong.

Instructions:

• In a Collins glass, add vodka, tequila, rum, triple sec, gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, and ice.
• Add cola to add color (or make it slightly less strong, depending on your client's preference).
• Add a lemon wedge and serve.

Highball

The Highball cocktail, a timeless favorite, is celebrated for its simplicity, versatility, and refreshing qualities. Served in a highball glass, this drink can be customized with various spirits and mixers.

The Highball is a testament to the beauty of simplicity in cocktails. Whether you’re relaxing at home or catering for clients, the Highball is a classic choice that never fails to impress.

Instructions:

NOTE: The recipe below is for the Scotch & Soda highball cocktail

• Fill a highball glass with ice, and add scotch.
• Pour club soda into the glass.
• Stir and add lemon twist as garnish. Relax.

Mai Tai

An iconic refreshing Tiki cocktail drink. This boozy Mai tai is made up of almond syrup, curaçao liqueur, a fresh squeeze of lime juice, crushed and ice cubes.

While this drink is perfect for during the summer season, it can be enjoyed any time of the year. Serve this to liven up a stiff corporate catering event.

Instructions:

• In a shaker, put white rum, curaçao liqueur, orgeat, lime juice, and crushed ice. Shake lightly for a few seconds.
• Pour contents into a rocks glass.
• Top the drink with dark rum and serve.

Negroni

The Negroni is a bold and balanced cocktail, perfect for those who enjoy a bit of bitterness. It is a combination of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth in a glass filled with ice. This one is going to be enjoyed who like their drinks stiff.

Instructions:

• Add ice into a mixing glass, then put gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari. Stir to chill.
• Strain into a glass with an ice cube and serve.
• ​Add orange peel as garnish.

Gin and Tonic 

The Gin and Tonic is another example of a highball cocktail that traces back to the early 19th century as an antimalarial. Today, people all over the world enjoy this deceptively simple drink for any occasion.

This classic and very easy-to-make cocktail is made up of two basic ingredients: gin and tonic water. The ratio usually is between 1:1 and 1:3 but more gin can be added depending on individual taste. 

Instructions:

• Add gin and ice to a highball glass.
• Add tonic water and stir.
• Use lime wheels as garnish. Enjoy.

Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan is a stylish and modern classic, known for its bright pink hue. This cocktail drink's base is vodka, combined with cranberry juice, Cointreau, and lime juice in a shaker with ice. This is a drink that is very popular with the ladies.

Instructions:

• In a shaker, add vodka, lime juice, Cointreau, and cranberry juice. Add ice and shake.
• Strain contents into a cocktail glass.
• Use lime wedge as a garnish.

Manhattan 

The Manhattan is a classic American cocktail that originated in the mid-19th century. Legend has it that it was created at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the 1870s, though this story is often debated. The cocktail quickly gained popularity and became a staple in bars across the country. Traditionally made with rye whiskey, the Manhattan is a sophisticated drink known for its balanced blend of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters.

Instructions:

• Mix rye whiskey, bitters, sweet vermouth, and ice into a mixing glass. Stir until chilled.
• Strain the mixture into a coupe glass.
• Use lemon twist as a garnish.

Whiskey Sour

The Whiskey Sour is a classic cocktail that balances sweet and sour mix flavors perfectly. You'll just need a few basic ingredients like bourbon, simple syrup, lemon juice, and egg white (optional), cherry and orange slices for garnish.

This classic drink has been around since the latter half of the 18th century and is a testament that a great drink can stand the test of time.

Instructions:

• Add bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, and the egg white in a shaker. Shake for half a minute without ice.
• Add ice and then shake to chill the mixture.
• Strain contents into a glass with an ice cube.
• Use a few drops of Angostura bitters for garnishing.

Martini

A timeless classic shrouded in a bit of mystique, the Martini can be tailored to individual preferences. Whether you prefer it with gin or vodka, dry or with a twist, the Martini's smooth, crisp character makes it a true icon in the cocktail world.

Instructions:

NOTE: The recipe below is for the Vodka Martini cocktail.

• In a mixing glass, add vodka, orange bitters, dry vermouth, and ice. Stir to chill.
• ​Strain contents into a cocktail glass.
• Add olive and lemon twist as garnish.

Why Serving Common Cocktails in a Catering Service Is Important

Serving common cocktails at your catered events can enhance guest satisfaction, streamline your operations, and elevate your service. 

Familiarity and Guest Satisfaction

Imagine attending a catered event and being confronted with a beverage menu full of obscure cocktails with ingredients you've never even heard of. It can feel intimidating and a little awkward. That's where the beauty of common cocktails comes in.  They provide a sense of comfort and familiarity.

Many guests associate specific drinks with fond memories. For some, a chilled Mojito might evoke a beach vacation, while a warm Old Fashioned could bring back memories of a cozy winter evening. Each sip offers a nostalgic journey, adding a sentimental touch to their experience. 

Ease of Service and Operational Efficiency 

For caterers, offering common cocktails means simplifying your operations without compromising quality. Classic cocktails often use standard, easy-to-source ingredients, making inventory management a breeze. Their standardized recipes, such as a classic Moscow Mule,  ensure consistency in taste. You won't find yourself wrestling with complex measurements or constantly adapting your bar setup.

The widespread popularity of common cocktails means bartenders are often well-versed in their preparation. This reduces the need for specialized training, simplifies order fulfillment, and allows for a smoother, more efficient service flow.

Brand Enhancement and Perception of Value 

Caterers constantly seek to enhance brand perception and convey a sense of value to their clients. By including a thoughtfully curated selection of common cocktails, you're sending a subtle but powerful message that speaks to your attention to detail and commitment to exceeding expectations.

These widely loved drinks add an air of sophistication. It shows you understand what makes a good time, creating a more refined and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone. 

Versatility and Customization

Don't think for a second that common cocktails have to be boring. Common cocktails can be your bar's greatest hits, a foundation upon which to build and experiment.

Take the classic Margarita, for instance.  A traditional recipe consists of tequila, Triple Sec, and lime juice, often served with a salt rim. However, you can create variations like the Tommy's Margarita, which adds a Mexican twist by replacing the Triple Sec with agave syrup.

This simple change highlights the tequila without sacrificing the spirit of this iconic cocktail. It's a true crowd-pleaser.  You can easily tailor the ingredients, proportions, and garnishes of numerous cocktails. Add seasonal fruits to a classic Mojito, or experiment with flavored syrups for unique flavor combinations. Let your bartenders embrace their creativity.

Navigating Dietary Preferences and Trends 

In today's world, caterers often encounter diverse dietary needs and preferences. Staying ahead of these trends is vital to catering success.  By featuring low-sugar or alcohol-free versions of common cocktails, you cater to health-conscious guests.

Adapting drinks ensures all attendees feel included and catered to, regardless of dietary needs.

Conclusion

Common cocktails play a vital role in enhancing special occasions and events, offering a delightful experience for your client's taste buds. With an extensive choice of cocktails available, selecting the perfect drink is essential for making a catering event successful. 

From the most popular drinks to the drink of choice in sophisticated gatherings, each iconic cocktail has its own unique charm and flavor profile. And while trends come and go, the timeless appeal of these classic drinks is undeniable.