Top 10 Most Popular Cocktail Types in the World
I do not particularly favor alcohol. It lacks flavor, often leads to headaches and body aches, and leaves one feeling unwell the next day. However, I do occasionally partake in fruity or sweet-tasting drinks during social gatherings. As a result, despite my general disinterest in alcohol, I seem to know more about cocktail varieties than most. This led me to wonder about the most popular cocktail types worldwide. The information presented here is drawn from a world food dictionary page that I frequently consult for content creation. Please note that these rankings may not be precise figures, so view them for entertainment purposes only as we explore the cocktail rankings.
10th Place: Caipirinha – Brazil [Caipirinha]
The 10th most popular cocktail type in the world is Brazil’s Caipirinha. Known as Brazil’s national cocktail, it is made by combining cachaça—a distilled spirit fermented from sugarcane juice—with sugar and lime. It can be enjoyed on its own, but it also serves as a base for numerous other cocktails.
9th Place: Cosmopolitan – United States [Cosmopolitan]
The Cosmopolitan, believed to have originated in New York during the 1970s, ranks 9th among the most popular cocktail types. This cocktail gained widespread recognition in the 1990s through mentions by Carrie Bradshaw in the TV series Sex and the City. It is prepared by mixing vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice, freshly squeezed lime juice, and lime.
8th Place: Gin and Tonic – India [Gin Tonic]
Even those unfamiliar with alcohol have likely heard of the Indian gin and tonic. Ranking 8th in global popularity, the gin and tonic emerged in the early 19th century through British officers. It typically consists of gin poured over ice with tonic water in a highball glass, garnished with a lime wheel. Its slight bitterness and sourness make it especially favored during the summer months. Its appeal is such that October 19th is celebrated annually as International Gin and Tonic Day.
7th Place: Daiquiri – Cuba [Daiquiri]
Cuba’s Daiquiri secures the 7th position among the world’s most popular cocktail types. Named after a town in Cuba, this drink is made with white rum, lime juice, and sugar. It gained fame through Ernest Hemingway, who reportedly enjoyed it frequently. While the classic version is served straight up without ice, a frozen variant blended with ice also exists.
6th Place: Tequila Sunrise – United States [Tequila Sunrise]
The Tequila Sunrise from the United States ranks 6th in popularity. Created in Arizona during the 1970s, it mimics the colors of a sunrise through its layered appearance. The cocktail combines tequila, orange juice, and grenadine syrup, with the syrup sinking to the bottom to create a gradient effect. It is garnished with an orange slice and a cherry.
5th Place: Piña Colada – Puerto Rico [Piña Colada]
Puerto Rico’s Piña Colada takes the 5th spot among the most popular cocktail types worldwide. Designated as Puerto Rico’s national drink in 1978, it is made with white rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice. The mixture is blended or shaken with ice and served chilled in a Poco Grande glass, garnished with a pineapple slice or maraschino cherry.
4th Place: Old-Fashioned – United States [Old-Fashioned]
The Old-Fashioned, meaning “old-fashioned,” ranks 4th in global popularity. Its name reflects its vintage origins, though dating back to the late 19th century, it may not seem particularly ancient. This cocktail is prepared by mixing bourbon or whiskey with fine sugar (or a sugar cube), Angostura bitters, and soda water or plain water. It is finished with an orange slice or cherry garnish. Traditionally, it avoids fruit juices, but 20th-century variations sometimes incorporate them.
3rd Place: Bloody Mary – United States [Bloody Mary]
The Bloody Mary from the United States ranks 3rd among the world’s most popular cocktail types. Interestingly, it originated during the Prohibition era. The drink combines vodka with tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco (a type of hot sauce), celery salt, and pepper. Some claim its inclusion of spices provides hangover relief and energy restoration. Uniquely, a celery stalk is used to stir the cocktail, making its global appeal somewhat intriguing.
2nd Place: Mojito – Cuba [Mojito]
The phrase “A mojito in the Maldives” has likely made the Mojito familiar to many. This renowned drink ranks 2nd in worldwide popularity. Surprisingly, it originates from Cuba rather than the Maldives. The Mojito is made by mixing white rum with sugar, lime juice, and soda water, garnished with mint leaves and lime slices. Its fame has led to various global recipes, including the Rose Mojito with rose-flavored liqueur and the Virgin Mojito, which is non-alcoholic.
1st Place: Margarita – Mexico [Margarita]
Mexico’s Margarita claims the top spot as the world’s most popular cocktail type. Its origin story is fascinating: a dancer allergic to all distilled spirits except tequila inspired Carlos “Danny” Herrera to create a tequila-based cocktail for her in 1938, resulting in the Margarita. However, its surge in popularity began in 1971 with the invention of a frozen margarita machine by Martinez. The drink mixes tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice, with the glass rim rubbed with lime or lemon and coated in salt.
Writing about alcohol, despite my lack of enthusiasm for it, proves intriguing—particularly the origin stories and recipes. I am curious which of these cocktails you enjoy or are familiar with. I have tried most, though I cannot confirm if they followed authentic recipes. I have never sampled stronger options like the Old-Fashioned. In moments like these, I wish I were more inclined toward drinking, as it would allow me to evaluate a variety of flavors.