Top 10 Best Cocktails and the Best Places in the U.S. to Enjoy Them
The United States is truly a melting pot of cultures and flavors. Each city has a unique vibe and signature drinks that both locals and visitors love to indulge in. Let’s take you on a journey through the top 10 best cocktails across the United States, and the best cities to enjoy them.
10. Pisco Sour – Miami, Florida
The Pisco Sour is a delightfully refreshing cocktail that is originally from South America. Made with Pisco (a type of brandy), lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, and Angostura bitters, this drink is both tart and creamy, making it the perfect warm-weather treat.
Why Miami: Miami is known for its diverse and vibrant culture and a strong Latin American influence. On a hot summer day in Miami is the perfect place to enjoy a Pisco Sour, especially at one of these places that every pisco lover should try, including Coya, Pisco y Nazca, SuViche, La Mar by Gaston Acurio, and CVI.CHE 105.  These places offer a variety of pisco cocktails and Peruvian dishes. On top of visiting one of the city’s many chic and lively bars, the best place may be to simply sip on a pisco sour while lounging on one of the beautiful beaches of Miami. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the city’s unique blend of cultures and flavors.
9. Whiskey Sour – Nashville, Tennessee
The Whiskey Sour is a classic cocktail which strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tart. Made with bourbon or rye whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup, this drink can also be made with an egg white for a frothy and creamy finish.
Why Nashville: As the heart of the American South, Nashville, Tennessee, is an ideal place to enjoy a Whiskey Sour. With its rich history in music, whiskey production, and its thriving bar scene, Nashville offers a unique and vibrant atmosphere for enjoying this classic cocktail. Visit one of the city’s famous honky-tonk bars, or enjoy a Whiskey Sour at a swanky downtown lounge while taking in the sights and sounds of Music City.
8. Moscow Mule – Portland, Oregon
The Moscow Mule is a simple yet flavorful cocktail that has gained popularity in recent years. A quite refreshing drink, it’s made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice, and is traditionally served in a copper mug and garnished with a lime wedge.
Why Portland: Portland, Oregon, is also known for its thriving food and drink scene, with many craft breweries, distilleries, and unique bars. Many of the craft distilleries in the city make their own vodka, making for a great locally crafted cocktail. Portland offers countless opportunities to enjoy this popular cocktail in a variety of settings, from trendy rooftop bars to cozy neighborhood pubs. One of the city’s mottos is “Keep Portland Wierd,” so you don’t have to be afraid of standing out at the bar with a bright copper mug in your hand.
7. Martini – San Francisco, California
The Martini is an iconic and sophisticated cocktail that has stood the test of time. Whether you prefer your Martini with gin or vodka, shaken or stirred, this elegant drink is the epitome of class and style.
Why San Francisco: You can get this simple, but classic cocktail anywhere, but San Francisco is a city known for its innovation and creativity, making it the perfect place to enjoy a classic Martini with a modern twist. The city’s bustling cocktail scene offers countless bars and lounges where you can sample inventive variations on the traditional Martini. Get a dirty martini infused with garlic at The Stinking Rose, a sake martini at Ozumo, a lavender martini at The Purple Onion, or a tasty and visually beautiful beet martini at The Progress. Sip your martini slow while taking in the stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay.
6. Old Fashioned – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Old Fashioned is a classic American cocktail that’s as timeless as it is delicious. This simple and elegant drink is made with bourbon or rye whiskey, a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, water, and a twist of orange peel.
Why Milwaukee: The Old Fashioned has been a staple in Milwaukee for over a century, and it’s a source of local pride and identity. Milwaukee has its own unique take on the Old Fashioned, made with brandy instead of whiskey, known as the “Brandy Old Fashioned.” It’s a beloved local specialty found throughout the city. Milwaukee is also known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, so whether you’re in a dive bar or a fancy cocktail lounge, you’re likely to find a warm and welcoming atmosphere where you can enjoy a great Old Fashioned. Enjoying an Old Fashioned in Milwaukee is not just about the drink itself, but also about experiencing the city’s unique culture and traditions.
5. Mai Tai – Honolulu, Hawaii
The Mai Tai is a tropical and fruity cocktail that perfectly captures the essence of island life. This refreshing drink is made with light and dark rum, orange curaçao, orgeat syrup, lime juice, and simple syrup, garnished with a sprig of mint.
Why Honolulu: There’s no better place to enjoy a Mai Tai than in the beautiful and exotic city of Honolulu, Hawaii. With its stunning beaches, lush greenery, and laid-back atmosphere, Honolulu provides the perfect backdrop for sipping on this tropical delight. The Mai Tai is a symbol of Hawaiian culture and hospitality, and many bars and restaurants in Honolulu take great pride in their Mai Tai cocktails. The city of Honolulu boasts some of the most breathtaking views in the world, and there’s nothing quite like enjoying a Mai Tai at a beachside bar while watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean, or at a lively tiki bar in the heart of the city. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Mai Tai Bar and Duke’s Waikiki are iconic Mai Tai bars in Honolulu that offer a unique and authentic Hawaiian experience. The Mai Tai is the perfect drink to complement the laid-back and relaxed atmosphere of Honolulu, with its fruity and tangy flavors and warm hospitality of the Hawaiian people.
4. Margarita – San Antonio, Texas
The Margarita is a classic and refreshing cocktail that’s perfect for any occasion. Made with tequila, triple sec, and lime juice, this drink is typically served in a salt-rimmed glass and can be enjoyed on the rocks or frozen.
Why San Antonio: With its rich Mexican heritage, San Antonio is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious and authentic Margarita. The city is home to a thriving food and drink scene, with numerous bars and restaurants offering their own unique takes on this timeless cocktail, including almost any fruit flavor imaginable – peach, lime, strawberry, raspberry, and more. Enjoy a Margarita while strolling along the city’s renown and picturesque River Walk, or visit one of the city’s many lively Tex-Mex establishments.
3. Manhattan – New York City, New York
The Manhattan is a sophisticated and timeless cocktail that’s been enjoyed for over a century. This classic drink consists of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters, garnished with a maraschino cherry. The Manhattan cocktail is believed to have been invented in the late 1800s at a bar called the Manhattan Club. Legend has it that the cocktail was created for a banquet hosted by Lady Randolph Churchill, the mother of Winston Churchill.
Why New York City: As the birthplace of the Manhattan, there’s no better place to enjoy this iconic cocktail than in the city that never sleeps and its namesake borough. New York City is home to countless speakeasies, rooftop bars, and elegant lounges where you can sip on a perfectly crafted Manhattan while taking in the breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline.
2. Hurricane – New Orleans, Louisiana
The Hurricane is a fruity and sweet, but potent concoction that has become synonymous with the vibrant and storied city of New Orleans. It was invented by Pat O’Brien’s bar in New Orleans, during the 1940s. The bar had an excess of rum, which they combined with passion fruit syrup, lime juice, and other ingredients to create a sweet and fruity cocktail that was served in a distinctive hurricane-shaped glass. The Hurricane quickly became a popular drink in New Orleans and has since become a staple of the city’s cocktail culture, particularly during Mardi Gras.
Why New Orleans: There’s nothing like enjoying a drink in the place where it was invented, and there’s no better place to enjoy a Hurricane than on the patio at Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans. Additionally, the city is known for its rich culture, music, and history. Walking through the French Quarter, you can’t help but feel the energy and excitement that defines this unique city – and in New Orleans, you can walk down the street with a Hurricane in your hand. With its colorful buildings, lively jazz scene, and delicious food, there’s no better place to enjoy a Hurricane than in the heart of New Orleans.
1. Mint Julep – Louisville, Kentucky
The Mint Julep is a classic Southern cocktail that originated in the southern United States in the late 18th century. The exact origin is unknown, but it is believed to have been invented by farmers who wanted a refreshing drink to cool them down on hot summer days. The drink was originally made with brandy or rum, but in the 19th century, it became associated with bourbon whiskey, which was readily available in the southern states. The modern version of the Mint Julep is made with bourbon, mint, sugar, and crushed ice, and it is traditionally served in a silver or pewter cup. Today, the Mint Julep is associated with the Kentucky Derby, where it has been the official drink since 1938.
Why Louisville: Louisville, Kentucky, is the home of the famous Churchill Downs, where the Kentucky Derby takes place every year and where the Mint Julep has been the official drink since 1938. Louisville is also located in the heart of bourbon country, and the city has a rich history and culture surrounding bourbon whiskey. Many of the bars and restaurants in Louisville take great pride in their Mint Julep cocktails and serve them with high-quality bourbon and fresh ingredients, including the historic Brown Hotel and the Old Seelbach Bar. These bars offer a unique and authentic Kentucky experience that is hard to find anywhere else in the world. Finally, the Mint Julep is a symbol of the city’s strong bourbon heritage, and it’s a favorite drink of locals and visitors alike. From the Kentucky Derby to the city’s many bourbon distilleries, the Mint Julep is an integral part of Louisville’s identity and is celebrated throughout the city.
With so many delicious cocktails and fantastic cities to explore, there’s no shortage of opportunities to enjoy the best drinks the United States has to offer. From classic concoctions to modern twists, these top 10 cocktails and their respective cities offer a taste of the diverse and rich culture that makes America truly special. If you think we’ve missed one, please let us know and add it to the comments.
