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Top 5 Most Popular Cocktails Everyone Loved in 2021

When it comes to popularity, the lists are quite subjective so this one will be about some research with my interpretations. Sorting a list of the most popular cocktails has not been very easy. Some classic recipes are all-time favourites but it doesn’t mean that they’re the best ones. Popularity comes from the easiness of the recipe and the taste together which makes great sense since you cannot taste something you cannot access.

I would like to explain the basis of this list. First, I did a web search for the most popular cocktails and gathered the lists from BBC, Liquor, Vinepair and Drinks International mainly. This is a bottomless pit to get lost in so I had to stop at a point. These sources give more than 5 drinks in their lists but I wanted to limit the number to 5 to focus on the drinks more. I created my pointing system and arranged my very own list of the top 5 most popular and loved cocktails of 2021. Here we go!

5. Margarita

Have you ever met someone who doesn’t love a good margarita? Me, neither! A very simple combination of tequila, triple sec and lime juice, sipping it from a fancy glass filled with ice and rimmed with salt… Margarita took its place in almost every list made ever and so it has the 5th place on mine, too.

I love Margarita and I make it all the time. It’s one of the cocktails that come to my mind first when I think of making something quick and delicious. You can see my Blue Margarita recipe here if you’d like to give it a try.

blue margarita with limes and himalayan salt on yellow background

4. Pornstar Martini

A.K.A. Passion Fruit Martini (or Passion Star Martini as you may come across lately), not even a martini but named as one. Looks like it’s more popular in the UK than in the rest of the world, most probably because it was born in London just in 2002. And it’s a very new recipe compared to the others on all the lists. I didn’t have a chance to make one myself yet but the recipe is very easy. Combining vanilla vodka, Passoa, passion fruit juice and lime juice. The balance of all these different flavours makes this drink really special so no argument that it’s so popular.


3. Mojito

Another classic that takes its place on the lists without any hesitation. This rum based cocktail is a bartender enemy due to its preparation time. Muddling fresh mint leaves might be fun while you’re making cocktails to enjoy at home but it’s a common nightmare for the people working behind the bar counter. I love Mojitos and have tried many kinds with different fruits such as kiwi, strawberry, watermelon… But a classic one with rum, sugar, mint leaves, lime and soda is always my favourite amongst the others. Taking its place on most of the lists looks like many people agree with me on this one.


2. Espresso Martini

Coffee lovers’ favourite, another all-time classic takes its place on my list as the second most popular cocktail! It has such a tempting froth that I wasn’t sure if I could make such a delicious and good looking cocktail when I first decided to get my hands on this area. I saw it as a challenge and it is the very first cocktail I have tried and I’m proud to say that it was delicious.

I’m a huge coffee lover so it’s no surprise that I loved it this much but it’s also the first cocktail I had my friends try with 2 more alternatives. You can see the details of classic, Irish and Mexican espresso martini cocktails with recipes here. All with only 3 ingredients with different ratios; a spirit of your choice, coffee liqueur and espresso. Add some bitters if you feel like it and enjoy!

espresso martini in a coupe glass with mocha pot, coffee and candle, coffee spread on the wooden table
I’m still not sure if I have a favourite cocktail but a delicious Espresso Martini will take its place in the top 5 for me personally, too.

1. Old Fashioned

Don’t be fooled by the name, the lists say that an Old Fashioned never goes out of fashion. Long before the advanced bartending techniques were invented, people were only mixing the ingredients. Old Fashioned was created even before the name “Cocktail” was given to these drinks. It’s simple, strong and delicious. All you need are Scotch whisky, bitters, sugar and water. You can add a splash of soda, put in a slice of orange or maraschino cherry, or garnish it with an orange peel. It’s so simple that people are still trying to make it fancy in a way. I like Old Fashioned as it is, plain and simple. It makes me feel like I’m having the drink from 200 years ago. This is probably what everyone else thought while saying that it has been their favourite cocktail in 2021.

the most popular cocktail on lists is old fashioned
Photo by Adam Jaime on Unsplash

Bonus for The Most Popular Cocktails: Negroni

A classic Italian that made into all the lists I have reviewed but not with enough points to be in the top 5 was Negroni so I decided to put it in my list as a bonus. Yes, I love Negronis! All you need are equal amounts of Campari, Sweet Vermouth and Gin. Add some bitters for more flavour. I usually use orange bitters for this delicious appetiser. Just like Old Fashioned, it’s one of the simplest cocktails and has a special place in the lists. Learn more about it here in my blog post.

Tabletop view of a glass of Negroni cocktail.

The world of cocktails is limitless. Even though there are new creations every day, some classics never get old. And clearly, 2021 has been another year for these classics. I tried to make a list for myself but there’s no way that I can keep the number under 20. So please tell me about your favourites, are they in these 5 or do you have a completely different taste in cocktails? Let’s see if 2022 will be different in anyways. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram! Cheers!

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