The Best Cocktails for Men – A Cocktails Perspective


Cocktails have now become an essential part of every party. A good main course complemented by a cocktail is what makes a good party. With bases varying from a shot of vodka, to a hefty amount of rum, cocktails can be made by using different combinations.

There are a large number of cocktails that a drinking enthusiast should try at least once. But not all cocktails are appealing to men. There are many reasons for that and men tend to ignore the cocktails’ section of the menu.

What is a manly cocktail? The question itself is pretty intriguing. There are many different criteria for classifying a drink as a manly cocktail. The potency of the drink being the most important.

A manly cocktail is one which can induce a good mood, without being too sweet. The color of the cocktail also plays a role in making it the perfect fit for your masculinity. Blue, pink, purple and green cocktails are avoided usually. However this depends on every individual and many men choose to select a cocktail based on its taste alone.

A manly cocktail is one which hits the pallet sharply and does with- powerful bitterness, strong sourness, potent alcohol, or a combination of all three. This kind of manly cocktail challenges the drinker’s taste buds and is bound to burn the throat.

This is one of the reason that many first timers do not prefer these drinks. But once you develop a taste for these soothing drinks, you are bound to fall in love with them.

Let us discuss some cocktails which are perfect for men. Whether they are the best, is something that is always open to interpretation and personal preferences. But the one thing that is for sure is- they taste the best!

Mint Julep

What can be better drink to start the list with, then the drink of the Kentucky Derby. The Kentucky Derby is more than just a traditional horse race. It is a popular sporting event. Mint Julep is the drink which is drank by the spectators.

It is said that the celebrations aren’t complete without the frosty cold Mint Julep with fresh mint leaves and Kentucky bourbon. Some people tend to add simple syrup to make the drink a little sweeter. But the raw taste without the syrup, is what every man should try once

A drink which enjoys such huge popularity may seem difficult to make. But it is pretty easy to prepare a Mint Julep. Whether you are a beginner or a drinking enthusiast, with just 3 ingredients you can make a classic Mint Julep.

Since it can be prepared easily at home, this manly cocktail is a favorite of many drinkers around the world. The bitter taste that leaves a tinging sensation after gulping the drink is what you should cherish, while enjoying this manly cocktail.

Dirty Martini

No list of manly cocktails is every complete without mentioning the Dirty Martini. This drink is a sleek combo of olive juice, gin, vermouth and the classic olives.

It is a drink savored by the “men” in the room. It has an amazing taste and has all the ingredients to make it a perfect manly cocktail. The pleasant saltiness of the drink which is felt against the background of gin and vermouth, makes it a pleasant drink.

Dirty refers to the addition of olive juice or brine. The dirty martini is the perfect drink for the charming man standing next to the bar, who has more maturity than a guy drinking a fruit cocktail. “Martini: shaken, not stirred” has been a recurring dialogue by agent 007- James Bond. This alone should be proof enough of the masculinity of this drink.

A mere whiff of the glass of Dirty Martini is enough to give an idea about the throat burning sensation of the drink. This drink can be made as dirty as you want it to be. All you have to do is pour olive juice according to your taste. You may need to try it a few times before you find the perfect balance. But once you hit that sweet spot, you will be hooked to the drink.

Gin Gimlet

A rare cocktail with fruity taste for which you wouldn’t need to turn your man card, is the Gin Gimlet. This manly cocktail is prepared by using 2 parts of Gin and mixing it with 1 part of lime juice. It has been hailed as one of the best Gin sours of all time. 

The citrus used is lime and the soothing sensation of this drink has got many drinkers recommend it. It is a refreshing drink and should be tried by all enthusiasts.

This gin based cocktail is easy to fall in love with. When you are ready to have a shot of this manly cocktail, it is recommended to wipe the rim with lime wedge, squeeze it gently over the drink and then gently drop it in. Some people use vodka instead of gin to make a vodka gimlet. It is another variation of this manly drink, that you can try.

There are various options for the gin that you could use for making the Gin Gimlet. You should opt for the one which suits your taste.

Old Fashioned

Order an old fashioned and see yourself getting nods of approval for ordering this manly cocktail, as the bartender prepares this amazing drink. This drink is a manly concoction of bitters, bourbon, hint of sugar water. It is a classic manly drink and is loved by men all around the world.

The bitter taste of this drink is easily developed and you will love the way this potent drink produces a hangover you will always remember.

A sugar cube soaking in bitters, and a shot of whisky is what makes this manly cocktail. This age old drink has been served to men since 1800 and has gained more popularity as the years have passed.

There are many variations of the classic old fashioned. You can try different combos and personalize as per your needs. You can incorporate the modern twists that bartenders have given to the drink too.

Snake Bite

The Yukon Jack Shot that will bite you back. It requires only 2 ingredients to make. With an easy method of preparation and an amazing taste, this manly cocktail should definitely be tried by the men in the bar.

Canadian whisky and a dash of lime juice are the 2 key ingredients of this drink. The knee buckling taste of this drink is what makes it a perfect manly cocktail. Ordering this drink is bound to get nods of approval from the regulars at the bar.

This drink is highly potent and will lead to formation of many great memories, which may or may not be remembered by you. This drink is especially perfect for those who wish a healthy buzz and a little shock. The name does perfect justice to the bitter taste of the drink and is a favorite of many men who like to enjoy a drink whenever the opportunity arises.

Yukon Jack is a honey flavored whisky. It is reputed to have a sickly sweet taste. But when this is combined with the tartness offered by lime juice, the drink becomes an amazing combination that will make you shake your head, pucker and wonder about the drink.

Try this manly cocktail and enjoy the appreciation of fellow drinkers. Also keep in mind that this drink is really potent and not all bars serve them. So, you should learn how to make this manly drink at home. Once you learn the recipe, you will keep looking for more occasions to enjoy this drink.

The Godfather

A classic gentleman’s drink that is known to add bass to your tone. Needless to say that the name of the drink alone, is enough to help it make this list. This drink comprises of a sophisticated blend of whisky or bourbon, and amaretto, which is then served in whisky glasses. As is the case with the renowned Godfather movie, this drink can become the favorite of men pretty easily.

It is a drink which is mostly reserved for the times when one feels the need to mix a good Scotch whisky. It is a pretty nice and simple drink to make. The taste is perfect and the potency of this drink is just about right. The origin of the drink is not something that all drinking enthusiasts agree up on. But it is said to have made its debut during the time when The Godfather movie was released.

It doesn’t disguise the Scotch whisky, merely enhances its rich flavor. The use of almond scented amaretto is to soften the scotch whisky. But this stiff drink is still a worthy drink to be sipped by a man, after a tough day at work. You could easily imagine this manly cocktail present at the desk of Don Corleone at his daughter’s wedding while he thought about all the favors he could call.

Tom Collins

A drink which has the name of a man in it, is bound to be included in the list of manly cocktails. This amazing combination of gin, club soda and other ingredients, is the perfect example of how a manly cocktail should be like. It can be served with fruit but what man would want this soothing drink with fruits? It tastes just as great without fruits, as it does with them.

This drink has the dual ability to be smooth and tough at the same time. It has got lemon juice, gin, a hint of sugar on the rocks and club soda, as its chief ingredients.

It is a tall and refreshing gin sour, liked by many. With an easy to follow recipe, this is a manly cocktail that anyone can mix up. Making it at the comfort of your home is pretty easy too. With just a single sip of this delightful drink, you will come to know why it has been the favorite drink of many for over a century.

All the ingredients of this drink are pretty common and can be easily found in your kitchen. This, along with the soothing taste and appeal, is the reason why this manly cocktail has been a staple for drinkers all around the world.

Bloody Bull

This drink is like the manly version of Bloody Mary. The name of the drink plays a huge rule in making it a manly cocktail. The name of this drink does that job perfectly well. The burning sensation of this drink and the potency it possesses, is off the charts. It really does take a real man to gulp this one down the throat. So, go easy on it, if it’s your first time trying this manly cocktail.

A regular style drinking glass is best suited for this drink. Any other glass type is just not the right fit for this drink. The taste may not fit to the liking of many. But as mentioned, a real man would have no issues in devouring the Bloody Bull and proving he is one himself.

This drink is a manly cocktail that every man should try at least once in his life. It rightfully deserves its place in the list and is one of those cocktails which is bound to give you a hangover that you will surely remember for a long time. Having an aspirin in your pocket before consuming this drink isn’t a bad idea!

Rusty Nail

The name of this drink is enough to tell you how manly this drink really is. The name is enough to send chills down the spine of someone not worthy enough to consume a proper manly drink. A glass filled with scotch, and an orange or lemon peel is what makes a rusty nail. Taking this drink will gain you the respect of any drinking vet at a hard core pub.

This is the ultimate scotch based cocktail and is a must have drink for drinking enthusiasts. Another good part of this drink is that you are free to choose the scotch whisky you like.

You can also make it as top shelf as you prefer. Your amazing scotch would be used correctly by mixing it to make a rusty nail. This is a delightful drink that will make you a manly drinker. Try it with your friends in a bar and discover the magic of the rusty nail.

Just remember to go easy with the shots or you may end up feeling pretty rusty, the next morning.

Irish Car Bomb

A simple yet classy dropped shot. The epitome of the most badass manly drinks to have ever existed. Picture the Jager Bomb, but with higher alcohol content. This highly potent drink is the manliest if all cocktails out there. It is a highly potent combo of Irish cream and Irish whisky, poured together in a shot glass. This is then dropped into a pint glass of Irish stout.

This is a very popular bar shot and is also pretty easy to make. If you have had a few before, you may know why this drink deserves the fame it has received. This soothing drink has been the go to drink of many men in the bar.

It is customary to chug the drink right after the shot of Irish whisky and cream is dropped into the beer. Nowadays bartender simply mix everything up in a pint glass. This manly drink has been cherished by drinkers and is a hot favorite for all the right reasons. With easily available ingredients, you can make it at home and enjoy its delightful taste.

These are some of the manly cocktails that a man ought to try at the bar. With high alcohol content and a great taste, these are the drinks you should choose from, to show your masculinity at the bar.

Drinking gets respect for those who can gulp down these hard core drinks without as much as a twitch. They are amazing for your taste buds and are fully equipped with enough alcohol, to give you a hangover worth remembering. They are an absolute delight to have.

There are no doubt, many more such manly drinks that can be added to this list. But some drinks should be discovered on your own.

At the end of a tiring day, ordering a manly drink at the bar will give you a huge sense of ease and relief. Few things should be kept in mind while having a manly drink. These include- little to no fruit and a taste harsh enough to turn that baby face in to a full beard.

Lastly, these manly drinks always have a tough name to match with their manly taste. Drink these delightful cocktails and enjoy as you experience a great night.

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