Drinks Cocktails Our 15 Most Popular Cocktail Recipes of 2023 It was a big year for caffeinated cocktails and classics alike. By Oset Babür-Winter Oset Babür-Winter Title: Senior Drinks Editor, Food & WineLocation: New York CityExperience: Oset Babür-Winter has completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust's (WSET) Level 3 Award in wines and was previously the magazine's associate culture editor, where she edited Obsessions. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on December 11, 2023 Trending Videos Photo: Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele This year, our readers leaned into the joys of perfecting a classic cocktail. They made batches of Mai Tais and cooled off in the summer months with a simple, satisfying Mudslide or two. When the classics got a bit tiresome, they searched for riffs like a tart, sweet Sour Cherry Negroni or a bold Blood Orange Margarita. 2023 was also a big year for caffeinated cocktails, from the classic Espresso Martini, to the slightly fancier, dessert-ready Affogato Martini; those craving the flavor of coffee without the buzz loved our decaf Carajillo recipe. These were the most searched-for Food & Wine cocktail recipes of 2023. 15 of 15 Sour Cherry Negroni Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon This tart take on a classic Negroni is true to the spirit of Hawksmoor's buzzy NYC outpost. Get the Recipe 14 of 15 Blueberry Margarita © Todd Porter & Diane Cu This quick and easy margarita recipe is made with muddled blueberries and bitters. Get the Recipe 13 of 15 Sgroppino Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon This Italian frozen treat stars lemon sorbet and is boozier than you might expect, with half an ounce of vodka and an ounce of Prosecco. Get the Recipe 12 of 15 Espresso Martini Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Oset Babür-Winter This classic combination of coffee liqueur, espresso, and vodka is ideal to enjoy at the beginning or end of a big night out. Espresso Martini 11 of 15 Martini Matt Taylor-Gross The martini is magical. In its simplest, most pure form it can be modest, even humble but also grand and impressive. While there are more inventive martinis out there, Maison Premiere’s is classic, featuring dry vermouth, London Dry gin, and a touch of orange bitters. Get the Recipe 10 of 15 Affogato Martini Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon For this glitzed-up version of an Espresso Martini, vodka haters will be delighted and surprised to know that rum is the spirit in the spotlight. Vodka brings alcohol to this boozy beverage but not much else; it’s basically a whiteboard to reflect the dominant coffee flavor. Get the Recipe 09 of 15 Blood Orange Margarita Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele We love that this recipe yields a whole pitcher of cocktails to serve a crowd, but we especially love that it can be prepared ahead of time. For easy entertaining, you can mix up the ingredients a day in advance and store the drink in the fridge. When it's time to partake, coat the rims of each glass with salt, stir ice into the pitcher, then strain the cocktail into the individual glasses. Garnish with blood orange slices and sage leaves. Get the Recipe 08 of 15 Carajilo Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen This classic Mexican coffee cocktail is the ultimate after-dinner drink — especially if you make it a decaf. Get the Recipe 07 of 15 Mai Tai Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon Perhaps the most well-known Tiki cocktail, the Mai Tai is a true celebration of rum. The pale yellow cocktail topped with a classic rum float elegantly marries citrus flavors with just the right amount of sweetness. Get the Recipe 06 of 15 Mudslide Photo by Antonis Achilleos / Food Styling by Ana Kelly / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell Created in the 1970s at Grand Cayman's Wreck Bar at Rum Point, this potent blend of vodka, Kahlúa, and Baileys Original Irish Cream might taste like a milkshake, but it can't be ordered virgin because all you'd get is a cup of crushed ice! The trio of alcohol blends into a smooth and velvety cocktail just sweet and chocolaty enough without being cloying. A generous drizzle of chocolate syrup and a bright red maraschino cherry with a dusting of ground cinnamon top off each glass. Get the Recipe 05 of 15 Maple Bourbon Smash Julia Hartbeck Bourbon and maple syrup are a perfect pair in this flavor-packed variation of the Old Fashioned. Get the Recipe 04 of 15 New York Sour Photo by Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Melissa Gray / Prop Styling by Heather Chadduck Hillegas In this sophisticated take on a whiskey sour, a vibrant float of fruity red wine hovers at the top of the glass for a striking presentation. Get the Recipe 03 of 15 Dark 'n Stormy Guillermo Riveros / Food Styling by Oset Babür-Winter The Dark 'n Stormy is a close relative to the Moscow Mule, essentially replacing that drink's vodka with dark rum. While the lime juice in the recipe is optional, it is highly recommended for balancing out the sugar with a touch of tartness. The candied ginger slice is not imperative, either, but it does make for a lovely garnish. Get the Recipe 02 of 15 Old Fashioned © Lucas Allen Whether you prefer to use rye, bourbon, or a less traditional base spirit in an Old Fashioned, this classic cocktail is dependably warming, sweet, and comforting. Get the Recipe 01 of 15 Manhattan Photo by Antonis Achilleos / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Thom Driver While the Manhattan traditionally calls for rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, bourbon is an increasingly popular choice in bars across the United States. It's worth noting, however, that using bourbon will make for a sweeter Manhattan, but that flavor can be tempered using dry vermouth and orange bitters instead of sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit