On the International Bartenders Association-sanctioned list of official cocktails, there’s a category called “The Unforgettables.” On it, you’ll find the drinks your great grandad used to order: the Old Fashioned, the Manhattan, the Whiskey Sour. Though your local watering hole can likely oblige, here’s how to make ’em better. Pop would be proud.
The Old Fashioned
Originating in the early 1800s, two centuries of experimentation have bred variations of this drink — including everything from burnt sugar to agave spirits. Here’s the version that comes as close to the original as we could find.
The Manhattan
In the canon of classic whiskey cocktails, no drink is more poised than the Manhattan, which, like the Old Fashioned, is easy to make, but easier to mess up.
The Whiskey Sour
In contrast to the sour-mix concoctions of yesteryear, a worthwhile Whiskey Sour draws on the egg white for a rich texture (without adding much taste) and bitters — which aren’t necessarily traditional — that echo and complement the notes of the whiskey.
