Every great gathering deserves great drinks—whether you’re hosting a dinner party, celebrating a special occasion, or just looking to impress your friends with some killer mixology skills. Classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned, Negroni, Margarita, or even Bloody May’s never go out of style, and if you’re skipping the alcohol, there are just as many flavorful non-alcoholic cocktail recipes to keep things fun!

This guide will walk you through how to make a classic cocktail with help from the mixologists at Stanford’s, with easy-to-follow steps and mixology tips to help you shake, stir, and sip like a pro. So grab your ingredients, get your glasses ready to craft some mocktail magic for yourself and your guests.

Supplies You’ll Need
Not all cocktails require fancy tools, but having the right gear makes the process smoother and the results even better. Here are some essentials when making cocktails or mocktails:

• Cocktail shaker – Perfect for drinks with citrus, like Margaritas.
• Mixing glass & bar spoon – Ideal for making stirred drinks like an Old Fashioned.
• Strainer – for a smooth pour without ice or pulp.
• Muddler – To crush ingredients in drinks like a Mojito.
• Jigger – Helps with precise measurements
• Citrus juicer – Fresh juice makes all the difference and adds a fresh twist.
• Glassware – The right glass elevates the drink’s presentation, aesthetic, an, in some cases, taste

 

Classic Cocktails & Their Non-Alcoholic Alternatives

 

Old Fashioned

Classic Old Fashioned
2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
1 sugar cube (or 1/2 tsp sugar)
2 dashes Angostura bitters
A few dashes of water
Ice
Orange peel, for garnish
Instructions: Muddle sugar, bitters, and water in a glass. Add ice and whiskey, stir gently, and garnish with an orange peel.

Old Fashioned (Mocktail)
2 oz whiskey alternative
1 sugar cube
2 dashes non-alcoholic bitters
A few dashes of water
Ice
Orange peel, for garnish
Instructions: Follow the same steps as the original, substituting the whiskey with a non-alcoholic alternative.

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Margarita

Classic Margarita

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 oz triple sec (or orange liqueur)
• Ice
• Salt for rimming
• Lime wedge, for garnish
  Instructions: Rim the glass with salt, shake ingredients with ice, strain, and garnish with a lime wedge.

Margarita (Mocktail)

• 2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1 oz orange juice
• 1 oz simple syrup
• Ice
• Salt for rimming
• Lime wedge, for garnish
  Instructions: Shake ingredients with ice, strain into a salted-rim glass, and garnish with a lime wedge.

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Negroni

Classic Negroni

• 1 oz gin
• 1 oz Campari
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• Ice
• Orange peel, for garnish
  Instructions: Stir ingredients with ice until chilled, strain over fresh ice, and garnish with an orange peel.

Negroni (Mocktail)

• 1 oz gin alternative
• 1 oz non-alcoholic bitter aperitif
• 1 oz sweet vermouth alternative
• Ice
• Orange peel, for garnish
  Instructions: Stir with ice, strain over fresh ice, and garnish with an orange peel.

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Mojito

Classic Mojito

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz lime juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tsp sugar
• 6-8 fresh mint leaves
• Soda water
• Ice
• Lime wedge & mint sprig, for garnish
  Instructions: Muddle mint and sugar with lime juice. Fill the glass with ice, add rum, top with soda water, stir gently, and garnish.

Mojito (Mocktail)

• 2 oz sparkling water or botanical alternative
• 1 oz lime juice
• 2 tsp sugar
• 6-8 fresh mint leaves
• Ice
• Lime wedge & mint sprig, for garnish
  Instructions: Muddle mint and sugar with lime juice. Fill with ice, add the sparkling alternative, stir, and garnish.

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Bloody Mary

Classic Bloody Mary

• 2 oz vodka
• 4 oz tomato juice
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 2 dashes hot sauce
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 1 pinch celery salt
• 1 pinch black pepper
• Ice
• Celery stalk & lemon wedge, for garnish
  Instructions: Combine ingredients over ice, stir well, and garnish.

Bloody Mary (Mocktail)

• 4 oz tomato juice
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 2 dashes hot sauce
• 2 dashes Worcestershire-style alternative
• 1 pinch celery salt
• 1 pinch black pepper
• Ice
• Celery stalk & lemon wedge, for garnish
  Instructions: Mix ingredients over ice, stir well, and garnish.

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Martini

Classic Martini

• 2.5 oz gin or vodka
• 0.5 oz dry vermouth
• Ice
• Lemon twist or olive, for garnish
  Instructions: Stir (or shake) gin and vermouth with ice, strain into a chilled glass, and garnish.

Martini (Mocktail)

• 2.5 oz botanical spirit alternative
• 0.5 oz dry vermouth substitute
• Ice
• Lemon twist or olive, for garnish
  Instructions: Stir or shake with ice, strain, and garnish.

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Cheers – You’re Ready To Host!

Great drinks don’t have to be complicated. Keep this guide with you when preparing for your next event and within minutes you will be  serving up a bold Old Fashioned, a refreshing Margarita, or a smooth Martini for your guests! Plus, knowing how to make a classic cocktail is a surefire way to impress your guests. And if you’re keeping things alcohol-free, mocktail recipes offer just as much flavor and fun!

Want to let the pros handle the mixology? Check out Stanford’s happy hour options and drink menus for expertly crafted cocktails and refreshing mocktails.

Join Us at Stanford’s

Looking for more mixology inspiration? Browse our cocktail and mocktail recipes for even more delicious creations, or visit us at our Northgate, Clackamas, or Tanasbourne locations!