Structured Lists Directory

Overview

Cocktail Classifications

Cocktail classification is a systematic categorization of cocktails based on volume, preparation method, ingredients, and historical lineage. The primary classifications include volume-based categories (Short Drink: 6-9cl, Medium Drink: 10-15cl, Long Drink: 15cl+), cocktail families such as Sours, Fizzes, Collins, Highballs, Flips, and Cobblers, as well as the IBA (International Bartenders Association) historical classification into 'The Unforgettables,' 'Contemporary Classics,' and 'New Era Drinks.' These classifications serve as important guidelines for understanding cocktail styles and flavors, and for selecting appropriate glassware and serving methods.

cocktail classification bartender drinks mixed drinks cocktail families IBA
code slug name description categoryType examples volumeCl keyComponents
VOL-01 short-drink Short Drink High alcohol concentration cocktails served in small quantities. Volume-based classification ["Negroni","Martini","Daiquiri","Margarita","Old Fashioned","Manhattan"] 6-9
VOL-02 medium-drink Medium Drink Cocktails that fall between short and long drinks in characteristics. Volume-based classification ["Bellini","Mimosa","Caipirinha"] 10-15
VOL-03 long-drink Long Drink Cocktails with more non-alcoholic mixers, served in large glasses. Volume-based classification ["Gin Tonic","Mojito","Cuba Libre","Moscow Mule","Spritz","Tom Collins"] 15+
FAM-01 sour Sour Cocktail family combining spirits, citrus, and sweetener. Cocktail family ["Whiskey Sour","Daiquiri","Margarita","Sidecar"] ["Spirit","Citrus juice","Sweetener"]
FAM-02 fizz Fizz Effervescent cocktails combining spirits, citrus, sweetener, and carbonation. Cocktail family ["Ramos Gin Fizz","Gin Fizz","Silver Fizz","Golden Fizz"] ["Spirit","Citrus","Sugar","Carbonated mixer"]
FAM-03 collins Collins Long sparkling cocktails with spirits, citrus, sugar, and soda water. Cocktail family ["Tom Collins","John Collins"] ["Spirit","Lemon/lime juice","Sugar","Soda water"]
FAM-04 highball Highball Simple cocktails combining spirits with carbonated mixers. Cocktail family ["Gin and Tonic","Whiskey and Soda","Moscow Mule","Dark 'n' Stormy","Rum and Coke"] ["Spirit","Carbonated mixer"]
FAM-05 flip Flip Rich cocktails combining spirits, egg, and sugar. Cocktail family ["Brandy Flip","Whiskey Flip","Sherry Flip"] ["Spirit/Fortified wine","Sugar","Egg"]
FAM-06 cobbler Cobbler Cocktails with spirits or wine base, fruit, and sugar. Cocktail family ["Bramble","Sherry Cobbler","Champagne Cobbler"] ["Spirit/Wine","Fruit","Sugar"]
FAM-07 julep Julep Cocktails with spirits, mint, sugar, and crushed ice. Cocktail family ["Mint Julep"] ["Aged spirit","Sugar","Mint","Crushed ice"]
FAM-08 crusta Crusta Cocktails characterized by decorative lemon peel and sugar rim. Cocktail family ["Brandy Crusta","Whiskey Crusta"] ["Spirit","Lemon juice","Bitters","Sugar rim","Lemon zest"]
FAM-09 daisy Daisy Cocktails with spirits, orange liqueur, and citrus. Cocktail family ["Margarita","Whiskey Daisy","Rum Daisy"] ["Spirit","Orange liqueur","Lemon/lime juice"]
FAM-10 punch Punch Large-format cocktails designed for groups. Cocktail family ["Planter's Punch","Fish House Punch"] ["Spirit","Citrus","Sweetener","Water/Tea","Spice"]
FAM-11 buck Buck Cocktails with spirits, ginger ale or ginger beer, and lime juice. Cocktail family ["Moscow Mule","Gin Buck"] ["Spirit","Ginger ale/beer","Lime juice"]
FAM-12 toddy Toddy Cocktails with spirits, sugar, water, and spices, served hot or cold. Cocktail family ["Hot Toddy","Gin Toddy"] ["Spirit","Sugar","Water","Spices"]
FAM-13 egg-nog Egg Nog Rich cocktails with spirits, eggs, milk or cream, and sugar. Cocktail family ["Traditional Eggnog"] ["Spirit","Milk/Cream","Sugar","Egg"]
FAM-14 smash Smash Cocktails similar to Juleps with muddled fruit. Cocktail family ["Whiskey Smash","Gin Basil Smash"] ["Spirit","Sugar","Mint","Muddled fruit","Crushed ice"]
FAM-15 sling Sling One of the oldest cocktail categories with simple composition. Cocktail family ["Singapore Sling","Gin Sling"] ["Spirit","Sugar","Citrus","Water/Soda"]
FAM-16 swizzle Swizzle Rum-based cocktails with lime, sugar, bitters, stirred with a swizzle stick. Cocktail family ["Queen's Park Swizzle"] ["Rum","Lime","Sugar","Bitters","Crushed ice"]
FAM-17 spritz Spritz Light wine-based cocktails with prosecco and soda water. Cocktail family ["Aperol Spritz","Spritz Veneziano"] ["Wine/Bitter liqueur","Prosecco","Soda water"]
FAM-18 rickey Rickey Highball-style cocktails with lime juice and little or no sugar. Cocktail family ["Gin Rickey"] ["Spirit","Lime juice","Carbonated water"]
FAM-19 colada Colada Creamy tropical cocktails with fruit juice and sweetener. Cocktail family ["Piña Colada"] ["Spirit","Fruit juice","Coconut","Sweetener"]
FAM-20 frappe Frappé Cold cocktails poured over crushed ice. Cocktail family ["Absinthe Frappé"] ["Any spirit/liqueur","Crushed ice"]
FAM-21 frozen Frozen Cocktails blended with ice to a sorbet-like consistency. Cocktail family ["Frozen Margarita","Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri","Frozen Piña Colada"] ["Spirit/Liqueur","Crushed ice (blended)"]
FAM-22 martini Martini Classic cocktails with gin or vodka and vermouth. Cocktail family ["Dry Martini","Vodka Martini","Espresso Martini","Cosmopolitan"] ["Gin/Vodka","Dry vermouth"]
FAM-23 negroni-family Negroni Family Aperitif cocktails with vermouth and bitter liqueur. Cocktail family ["Negroni","Americano"] ["Vermouth","Bitter liqueur"]
FAM-24 old-fashioned-family Old Fashioned Family Simple cocktails with spirits, sugar, bitters, and water. Cocktail family ["Old Fashioned","Sazerac","Manhattan"] ["Spirit","Sugar","Bitters","Water"]
IBA-01 the-unforgettables The Unforgettables All-time classic cocktails that have stood the test of time. IBA official classification ["Manhattan","Old Fashioned","Negroni","Dry Martini","Daiquiri","Whiskey Sour","Sidecar","Sazerac"]
IBA-02 contemporary-classics Contemporary Classics Newer cocktails that have solidified their status as classics. IBA official classification ["Mai Tai","Moscow Mule","Mojito","Margarita","Cosmopolitan","Bloody Mary","Caipirinha","Piña Colada","Long Island Iced Tea"]
IBA-03 new-era-drinks New Era Drinks Rising star cocktails invented in the late 20th or 21st century. IBA official classification ["Espresso Martini","Paper Plane","Bramble","French Martini","Pisco Sour","Spritz Veneziano","Tommy's Margarita","Vesper"]

Basic classification system for cocktails including short, long, frozen, and various other styles.