Cocktails By Type of Alcohol

Aviation Cocktail

The Aviation is a bold cocktail with a 27% alcohol content and approximately 180 calories per serving. Combining gin, crème de violette, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice, it delivers a unique mix of floral, tart, and sweet flavors. The drink was first created by Hugo Ensslin, head bartender at the Hotel Wallick in New York, in the early 20th century. In the movie Catch Me If You Can, Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Frank Abagnale, orders an Aviation, symbolizing his suave, jet-setting lifestyle. This drink is a favorite in the U.S., particularly in upscale bars where its elegant presentation and refined taste make it stand out. Go to Recipe

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The Bee's Knees

A vintage cocktail from the Prohibition era, the Bee's Knees blends the botanical richness of gin with honey’s subtle sweetness and the zing of lemon juice. With a 27% alcohol content and around 150 calories, this cocktail is light yet flavorful. Created as a way to mask the poor quality of bathtub gin during Prohibition, the Bee's Knees has stood the test of time thanks to its simple elegance. It is featured in The Secret History by Donna Tartt, lending sophistication to the novel’s social scenes. Popular in craft cocktail bars, this drink is perfect for those seeking a simple yet refreshing taste, evoking the charm of yesteryear. Go to Recipe

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The Bramble

With a 43% alcohol content and around 190 calories, the Bramble is a fruity and vibrant cocktail that blends gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and blackberry liqueur. The Bramble was created in 1984 by Dick Bradsell, a renowned British bartender often called the “godfather of modern bartending.” Its refreshing mix of flavors has made it a popular choice in the U.K., especially in the summer months. Featured in Absolutely Fabulous, the Bramble perfectly complements the eccentric personalities of Edina and Patsy, underscoring its lively, fun appeal at cocktail parties and events. Go to Recipe

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The Clover Club

The Clover Club is a pre-prohibition classic, offering a balance of gin, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and egg white for a frothy texture and eye-catching pink hue. With a 27% alcohol content and 160 calories, this cocktail is light but flavorful. Named after a gentlemen’s club in Philadelphia, first created in the late 1800s, the Clover Club captures the era's elegance. In The Great Gatsby (2013), it adds a touch of authenticity to the Roaring Twenties atmosphere. It’s a favorite in modern craft bars across the U.S., appreciated for its nostalgic flair and smooth finish. Go to Recipe

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Corpse Reviver #2

The Corpse Reviver #2 is a zesty classic with a 27% alcohol content and 155 calories, known for its sharp combination of gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, Lillet Blanc, and a hint of absinthe. It belongs to a family of cocktails designed to “revive” someone after a heavy night of drinking. First mentioned in Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book (1930), it is often touted as one of the best hangover cures. In The Thin Man, it’s used as a hangover remedy, fitting the film’s boozy humor. Popular in niche cocktail circles, this drink is often praised for its reviving qualities and complex flavor profile, especially among cocktail enthusiasts in the U.K. and beyond. Go to Recipe

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Cucumber Basil Smash

The Cucumber Basil Smash offers a crisp, refreshing mix of cucumber and basil with gin. While the alcohol content varies, it’s generally light, with around 140 calories per serving. First popularized in the 21st century as part of the craft cocktail movement, this drink is particularly appreciated for its use of fresh, seasonal ingredients. Though it hasn’t gained cinematic fame, it’s a modern favorite among health-conscious drinkers, celebrated for its herbaceous profile. The Smash format (muddling ingredients with sugar and spirits) is one of the oldest cocktail styles, dating back to the 1800s. Go to Recipe

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French 75

Combining gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and champagne, the French 75 is a sophisticated choice with an 18% alcohol content and 150 calories per serving. Named after the French 75mm field gun used in World War I for its “kick,” this cocktail has an illustrious history. Featured in Casablanca, it embodies the elegance and romance of the film. Known for its crisp, bubbly character, the French 75 is a popular choice at celebrations and upscale gatherings, appreciated by those who favor refined, sparkling cocktails. Go to Recipe

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Gimlet

The Gimlet is a tart, refreshing cocktail that pairs gin with fresh lime juice and simple syrup. At 30% alcohol content and 160 calories, it packs a punch. The drink was popularized by British naval officers in the 19th century to prevent scurvy, thanks to its use of lime juice. Raymond Chandler immortalises This classic cocktail in The Long Goodbye, aligning with the hard-boiled detective genre. The Gimlet is a hit in upscale bars, offering a sharp, citrusy flavor that’s perfect for those who enjoy a bold, straightforward cocktail. Go to Recipe

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Ginger Fizz

Spicy and invigorating, the Ginger Fizz blends gin, ginger syrup, lemon juice, and club soda for a refreshing drink with 140 calories and 20% alcohol content. While not featured in media, it shares a lineage with classic gin fizzes dating back to the 19th century. The Ginger Fizz is often seen as a contemporary twist on the classic, adding a kick with ginger. It’s a hit at summer parties and social gatherings, perfect for those seeking a balance of spice and refreshment in their cocktails. Go to Recipe

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Hanky Panky

A rich cocktail with a 30% alcohol content and 170 calories, the Hanky Panky combines gin, sweet vermouth, and Fernet Branca for a complex and herbaceous flavor. Invented by Ada Coleman, head bartender at The Savoy Hotel in London, the drink’s name was supposedly coined by actor Charles Hawtrey, who exclaimed that it was the "real hanky-panky!" While it hasn’t been immortalized in film or literature, it remains a beloved choice for those seeking depth and character in their drinks, often found in upscale cocktail bars. Go to Recipe

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The Last Word

The Last Word is a bold and complex cocktail with a 28% alcohol content and around 200 calories per serving. This Prohibition-era drink, first served at the Detroit Athletic Club in the early 1920s, blends gin, green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and fresh lime juice for a herbal and balanced flavour profile. It gained renewed popularity in the 21st century after being rediscovered by cocktail historian Murray Stenson. Featured in the modern TV show Peaky Blinders, the Last Word is a favorite among craft cocktail enthusiasts for its unique, historical appeal and rich flavors. Go to Recipe​

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The Negroni

The Negroni is a balanced, bitter cocktail with 210 calories and 27% alcohol content, combining gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Legend has it that Count Camillo Negroni invented the drink in Florence in 1919 when he requested an Americano with gin instead of soda water. The Negroni is featured in Skyfall, where it’s enjoyed by James Bond, further cementing its status as a sophisticated and elegant drink. Popular worldwide, the Negroni’s bitter complexity makes it a favorite among those who enjoy robust, classic cocktails. Go to Recipe

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The Red Snapper

A savory variation of the Bloody Mary, the Red Snapper is a gin-based cocktail with 150 calories and 18% alcohol content. It was first created in the 1920s by French bartender Fernand Petiot, who originally named it after Mary Tudor. However, it was later rebranded as the Red Snapper to suit more refined tastes at the St. Regis Hotel in New York. The cocktail appears in The Thin Man, where its savory profile complements the witty dialogue and sophisticated atmosphere. The Red Snapper is particularly popular at brunch, known for its hearty flavor and zesty kick. Go to Recipe

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The Singapore Sling

The Singapore Sling is a complex, fruity cocktail with 245 calories and 27% alcohol content. Invented in 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, it was originally created to provide women with a socially acceptable drink, disguised as fruit juice. The Singapore Sling is featured in Saint Jack and the book The Long Day Wanes, emphasizing its exotic and tropical nature. This drink remains popular in tropical locales and is a favorite among those who appreciate its intricate combination of sweet and fruity flavors. Go to Recipe

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The Sour Cherry Gin Smash

The Sour Cherry Gin Smash is a tart, fruity cocktail with around 150 calories. Combining sour cherries, gin, lime juice, and ginger ale, this drink offers a refreshing and vibrant experience. The “smash” style of cocktail, which involves muddling fruit and herbs, dates back to the 19th century. While not featured in any specific films or books, the Sour Cherry Gin Smash is celebrated for its lively, fresh flavors, making it a popular choice at summer parties and among those who enjoy fruity cocktails with a bit of a punch. Go to Recipe

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The Southside

The Southside is a refreshing, minty cocktail with 180 calories and 20% alcohol content. Thought to have originated at the 21 Club in New York during Prohibition, it was said to have been favored by gangsters on the South Side of Chicago, hence its name. Combining gin, lime juice, simple syrup, and mint, this drink provides a crisp, invigorating taste perfect for a warm day. Though not heavily featured in pop culture, the Southside remains a favorite at garden parties and summer gatherings for its clean, mint-forward profile. Go to Recipe

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The Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a light, refreshing gin cocktail with 135 calories and 27% alcohol content. It’s said to have been created in the 1870s, inspired by the Great Tom Collins Hoax of 1874, a popular prank of the time. This fizzy drink is crisp and light, featuring gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda. In Meet John Doe, the cocktail reflects the film’s themes of simplicity and honesty. The Tom Collins remains popular for those seeking a refreshing, no-frills cocktail at casual events and summer parties. Go to Recipe