Old Fashioned tops the list of favourites according to a survey
It’s time to dust off your shakers as World Cocktail Day (May 13, 2018) is upon us — and with it some interesting new discoveries about which drinks are currently in vogue. And the latest research couldn’t be timelier — with cocktail consumption on the rise around the world.
The Old Fashioned has been revealed by the world’s largest producer of spirits, Diageo, as the most popular drink being ordered in bars right now, according to a survey of the world’s best bartenders.
Hot on the heels of the Old Fashioned is the Italian dark horse Negroni, made with one-part Tanqueray No.TEN gin, one-part vermouth rosso, one-part Italian aperitif and garnished with orange peel. This sophisticated, bittersweet, continental cocktail may have been around since the 1860s, but it’s certainly a favourite in bars right now.
Old Fashioned and Negroni’s retro charm is all part of a cocktail revolution that’s taking the world by storm. In the latest IWSR report, beer volumes fell 1.8 per cent around the world, and wine sales dipped by 0.08 per cent (IWSR drinks market analysis 2016). But sales of spirits like gin and whisky are on the up. And it’s the millennials that are leading the cocktail charge, with almost nine out of 10 (88 per cent) younger drinkers enjoying mixed drinks on a night out (Cellar Trends). And that’s because, according to World Class Bartender of the Year 2017 Kaitlyn Stewart, consumers no longer see cocktails as an afterthought.
“The Old Fashioned and Negroni are classic cocktails that have stood the test of time. There are countless variations, but when executed perfectly in any bar around the world, they always taste exactly how you want them too,” says Stewart.
Whisky Sour and Moscow Mule are next, when it comes to consumers’ current likes. Espresso Martini, Dry Martini, Tom Collins and Manhattan also squeezed their way into the top eight favourites list.
“Any of the top cocktails can easily be made at home. The nice thing about classic cocktails, is that they aren’t over complicated. There tends to be three ingredient recipes that any home bartender can attempt with ease. Simply stocking quality products like Johnnie Walker Black label whisky, Ketel One Vodka, or a quality single malt whisky like Talisker in your home bar, will have you a third of the way to success,” adds Stewart.
Diageo World Class recently carried out this far-reaching survey of the consumer preferences, in time for World Cocktail Day 2018. No stone was left unturned in finding out cocktail secrets from behind bars across the globe with respondents from a vast mix of countries, including Puerto Rico, Portugal, Greece, Norway, Iceland, UAE, Beirut, USA, Canada, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
“We surveyed the world’s best bartenders from the four corners of the globe and it is incredible to see the renaissance of these important and timeless cocktails picking up pace everywhere,” says Global Cocktailian, lauren Mote. “The cocktail revolution is here people! It is time to embrace it! We hope you feel inspired to take on these classics and make them your go to drinks when raising a glass to world cocktail day.”
Old Fashioned
2 oz Johnnie Walker 18 label
4 dashes Angostura Bitters
1 sugar cube
1 orange peel
METHOD: Muddle sugar and bitters together in a mixing glass. Slowly add Johnnie Walker 18 label while stirring over ice. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Strain over fresh ice and garnish with an orange twist and cherry.
TIPPlE FACTOR: 22.6 grams of alcohol (according to ml of the serve)
Negroni
0.75oz Tanqueray NO. TEN Gin
0.75oz Italian liqueur
0.75oz Sweet Vermouth
METHOD: Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass. Stir for 10 seconds. Strain over fresh ice and garnish with an orange twist.
Tipple Factor: 14.4 grams of alcohol (according to ml of the serve)
Whisky Sour
1.5 oz Johnnie Walker Black Whisky
0.75 oz lemon Juice
0.5 oz simple syrup (1:1 ratio)
1 Egg white
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
METHOD: Combine all ingredients into a shaker tin. “Dry” shake for 7-10 seconds. Add ice and “wet” shake for 7-10 seconds. Fine strain into a small rocks glass or coupe. Garnish with 2-3 dots of bitters.
Tipple Factor: 14.5 grams of alcohol (according to ml of the serve)
Moscow Mule
1.5oz Cîroc Vodka
0.5oz lime juice
3.5oz ginger beer
METHOD: Build or shake. Serve in a copper mug over crushed ice. Garnish with a lime wheel and a dash of Angostura bitters.
TIPPlE FACTOR: 14.2 grams of alcohol (according to ml of the serve)
Espresso Martini
1.5oz Ketel One Vodka
0.5oz coffee liqueur
1 oz cold brew coffee
0.5 oz simple syrup (1:1 ratio)
METHOD: Combine all ingredients into a shaker tin. Shake for 7-10 seconds. Fine strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with three coffee beans.
TIPPlE FACTOR: 16.6 grams of alcohol (according to ml of the serve)
Dry Martini
2 oz Tanqueray NO. TEN Gin
0.25 oz Dry Vermouth
1 dash orange bitters
METHOD: Combine all ingredients into a mixing glass. Stir for 7-10 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
TIPPlE FACTOR: 21.3 grams of alcohol (according to ml of the serve)
Tom Collins
1.5 oz Tanqueray NO. TEN Gin
0.5 oz lime juice
0.25 oz lemon Juice
0.25 oz simple syrup
top with soda
METHOD: In a shaker tin, combine all ingredients (excluding soda). Shake for 5-7 seconds. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice. Top with soda and garnish with a lemon and lime wheel.
TIPPlE FACTOR: 15.3 grams of alcohol (according to ml of the serve)
Manhattan
1.5 oz Johnnie Walker Blue label
0.5 oz Sweet Vermouth
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
1 dash orange bitters
METHOD: In a mixing glass, combine all ingredients. stir for 7-10 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Express the oils from an orange peel, then discard. Garnish with a cherry.
Tipple Factor: 16.7 grams of alcohol (according to ml of the serve)