Master These Four Classy Drinks for Gentlemen

When it comes to liquor, there is a fine line between classy and pretentious. Ordering your drink at the bar is easy, but every guy should first know how to prepare a few key classy drinks for gentlemen.

Shifting Views on Classy Drinks for Gentlemen

While drinking hard liquor on the rocks is still considered classy, drinking manly cocktails is becoming more trendy and attractive for today’s modern gentleman. Understanding how to make these classy drinks for gentlemen is pretty much in every handbook.

The Old Fashioned

This is one of the oldest mixed drinks that first became popular in the 1800s. Here are the elements:

• Spirit – Rye or bourbon
• Mixers – Sugar cube muddled with bitters
• Garnish – Orange and/or lemon twist

Here are the steps:

1. Using a chilled rocks glass, muddle one sugar cube with two dashes of bitters and a bar spoon of water. Add two ounces of your rye or bourbon of choice and stir.
2. Add a few ice cubes, then mix until cold and slightly diluted.
3. Slide in an orange or lemon twist and serve.

The Tom Collins

This cocktail was named after the Tom Collins Hoax in the 1870s. It is a great choice for the sunny seasons. Here are the elements:

• Spirit – Dry gin
• Mixers – Lemon juice, simple syrup, soda water
• Garnish – Lemon slice

Here are the steps:

1. Using a cocktail shaker, shake two ounces of gin, two tablespoons of lemon juice, two tablespoons of simple syrup and four ice cubes.
2. Strain mixture into a Collins glass, top with soda water and stir.
3. Garnish with a lemon slice and serve.

The Manhattan

This classic cocktail was allegedly created at the Manhattan Club in the 1870s, and its bold taste still shines. Here are the elements:

• Spirits – Bourbon or rye, sweet vermouth
• Mixers – Angostura bitters, orange bitters
• Garnish – Brandied cherry

Here are the steps:

1. Using a mixing glass, stir together two ounces of bourbon or rye, one ounce of sweet vermouth, three dashes of Angostura bitters, one dash of orange bitters and ice cubes until well-chilled.
2. Strain mixture into a chilled martini glass or low-balled glass.
3. Garnish with a brandied cherry.

The Sazerac

Trademarked by the Sazerac Co. in 1900, this cocktail is the close relative of the Old Fashioned. Here are the elements:

• Spirits – Absinthe and cognac
• Mixers – Simple syrup and Peychaud’s bitters
• Garnish – Lemon peel

Here are the steps: 

1. Using a mixing glass, combine two ounces of cognac, 1/2 ounce of simple syrup and three dashes of bitters with ice until well-chilled. 
2. Rinse a chilled Old Fashioned glass with several dashes of absinthe to coat the bottom and sides of the glass. 
3. Strain mixture into your glass coated with absinthe and rub lemon peel on the entire rim. 
4. Garnish with lemon peel and serve. 

Going Beyond Classy Drinks for Gentlemen 

A man’s choice of drink is but a snippet of his character. At Rugged Standard, we are every guy’s no-nonsense guide for life. For more tips beyond classy drinks for gentlemen, stay tuned for more articles and content from us.