Most Popular Cocktails

In January 2022, Drinks International (DI), a trade publication for the alcohol industry, released its list of 2021’s best-selling classic cocktails around the globe. To create the annual ranking, DI surveys the world’s top bars and asks each to name its best-selling drinks for the year. The responses are then weighted and ranked. For the latest version, the publication surveyed 100 bars to create a ranking of the year’s most ordered drinks at top establishments around the world.

This newly released list demonstrates that — like last year — imbibers can’t get enough of tropical flavors. Newcomers to the ranking include the Pisco Punch, Painkiller, Ti’Punch, and Old Cuban. Prohibition-era cocktails also enjoyed some time in the spotlight, with the Corpse Reviver, Bobby Burns, and Bee’s Knees making the cut this year.

But what really surprised us this year was the cocktail that earned the No. 1 spot. After eight years of holding the title of most popular cocktail in the world, the Old Fashioned was finally dethroned by the Negroni.Created by famed bartender Simon Difford in 2004, the Pisco Punch is new to the list this year. But with its tropical combination of pisco, pineapple, lemon, orange, cloves, and a Champagne float, it’s not hard to see why its popularity is on the rise.

SIDECAR

Brandy, tragically underrepresented on this list, earns a well-deserved moment in the spotlight as one of the world’s most ordered cocktails. The Sidecar is a good place to start for those not familiar with the category-spanning spirit: The drink mixes brandy, lemon, and triple sec, making a tart, refreshing tipple. While still making it into this year’s top 50, the Sidecar’s popularity seems to be waning — moving down from No. 34 in 2021 all the way to No. 49 this year.Another new addition to the list, the Corpse Reviver #2 is making a comeback — perhaps due to its interesting twist: There are two versions. Corpse Reviver #1 (sitting at No. 30) calls for Cognac, Calvados, brandy, and vermouth; while Corpse Reviver #2 uses equal parts gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, and a dash of absinthe. Choose wisely.

BLOOD & SAND

This Scotch-based concoction has been around since the 1930s and has clearly stood the test of time. Made with the aforementioned whisky, sweet vermouth, cherry liqueur, and orange juice, the drink is a little sweet and a little smoky, making for a great year-round cocktail.46. TOMMY’S MARGARITA

Developed by bartender Julio Bermejo of San Francisco’s Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant in the 1990s, the Tommy’s Margarita swaps out the orange liqueur in the traditional Margarita and doubles the amount of agave. You’ve probably had your share of Tommy’s Margaritas without even realizing it.The Irish Coffee was pioneered by Irish chef Joe Sheridan in the 1940s. James Beard winner and author of “The Craft of the Cocktail” Dale DeGroff describes Irish Coffee as “cold cream, hot sweet coffee, laced with wonderful Irish whiskey.” What’s not to love? Exact proportions and types of whiskey, sugar, and cream preparations can vary slightly, but when done right, it’s delicious.A drink from the days of Prohibition, the revival of the Last Word — which combines gin, green chartreuse, Maraschino liqueur, and lime juice — has been credited to bartender Murray Stenson, who came across the drink in an old bar manual while working at Seattle’s Zig Zag Café in 2004.The days of the Cosmo as the bartender’s piñata are over. You may even see crafted spins on this drink, but mostly, there’s indifference. If you need reminding, it’s vodka, triple sec, cranberry, and lime. The Cosmo has remained relevant — jumping up six spots since last year — meaning it might be time to give the pink drink a second chance.