Classic cocktails are ageless and versatile. Whether you're exploring the world of cocktails for the first time or you're an experienced imbiber, you should know a handful of recipes. No matter if the occasion is a formal gathering or just an unwinding at the end of the day, a cocktail provides the perfect accompaniment. Below, find four popular mixed drinks to sample. 

5 Classic Cocktails to Explore at the Bar

1. Martini

Martinis have been a staple bar drink since the nineteenth century. A classic martini is made by shaking or stirring gin with a splash of dry vermouth and bitters and serving it in a martini glass. You then garnish it with either an olive or lemon twist. A vodka martini swaps the gin for vodka. A Gibson replaces the olive or lemon with a pearled onion. Any martini can also be served on ice in a rocks glass.

2. Margarita

Margaritas combine the smooth, agave-infused taste of tequila with the sweetness of fruit liqueur and the bite of lime juice. The salt along the rim of the glass offers an ideal balance to the sweet and sour taste of the cocktail. You can order a margarita on the rocks or blended. While there is no one single definitive origin for the margarita, they have been enjoyed stateside since the 1930s.

3. Moscow Mule

The first Moscow Mule is said to have been mixed in the early 1940s at Jack Morgan's Cock 'n' Bull bar in New York City. Though the cocktail lost popularity for a few decades, it has experienced a massive resurgence in recent years. It contains vodka, ginger beer, and a splash of lime juice. Traditionally, it is served on the rocks in a copper mug.

4. Old Fashioned

An old fashioned is another cocktail dating back to the nineteenth century. Making an old fashioned is as much an art as it is a science. First, fruits like oranges and cherries are muddled with sugar and bitters in the bottom of a glass. Whiskey and ice are then added, and the drink is topped off with a twist of citrus rind or another cherry.

Explore all of these cocktails and more at the Crafty Squirrel. Located in St. Petersburg, FL, they feature a full bar and a delicious lunch and dinner menu. Whether you prefer pizza and a beer or a craft cocktail and an artisan salad, they will satisfy your appetite and thrill your taste buds in the process. Call (727) 898-4888 or visit them online to explore their drink menu.