Bartending has changed alot since when I started bartending in the 90’s. There was no premade mix we didn’t like – sweet and sour mix, margarita mix, bloody mary mix, etc. Celery and limes, olives, and maraschino cherries were often the freshest ingredients we had to work with. The dreaded Mojito was the fanciest drink on the menu. Today, we have mixologists who scour the earth for the freshest and most exotic ingredients for their fantastic libations. You will happily pay double and triple price at trendy speakeasies for said libations that bubble, smoke, and sparkle. Mixologists have elevated themselves to gigantic proportions and are now right up there with brain surgeons as far as importance. Today’s drinkers have extremely evolved palettes that require subtle mixtures of citrus, rosemary, and juniper berries, just to name a few. Hipsters are gonna’ be hip. 

The more things change, the more they stay the same. I have worked off and on in the bar and restaurant business for over 20 years. I have operated my mobile bartending business since 2011. I have tended bar at literally thousands of events, with 2 to 500 guests over those years. I tend to notice which drinks go over really well, and which ones don’t. I can tell when a cocktail isn’t working when I see a bunch of half full cups of said drink sitting on tables. Servers come by and dump them out. People return for a second drink and then ask for one of the old stand-byes, Jack and coke, etc. The drinks that most often don’t go over well are full of syrupy ingredients, fresh fruit and mint, rosemary and basil. The drinks that are often the most popular and also relatively simple. I’m going to list a few. 

Ten Simple but Great Drinks

1. Cuba Libre – Have you had one of these recently? A stiff rum pour with just enough Coke, and a squeeze of lime. It is a quite complex mix of flavors. Drink one of these on your lunch hour and you just might not make it back to work. If I want to get fancy, I’ll add a couple drops of bitters, or maybe a little cherry juice.
2. Gin and Tonic – Still very popular after all these years. In the 80’s we called them Tanqueray and tonics, because Tanqueray was by far the gin of choice. A fresh squeeze of lime accents the drink just right. To get fancy, muddle a little cucumber in, or squeeze a lemon instead. I think the small cans of tonic have the best fizz.
3. Ranch Water – Usually done with tequila, club soda, and a squeeze of lime. Certain crowds in LA drink these by the gallon. Not sweet at all, but the fizz and the lime makes it very drinkable. I think sparkling water, like Topo Chico is better than club soda for this drink.
4. Paloma – There are all kinds of fancy Palomas, but here I am talking about the one made with tequila, Squirt, and a squeeze of lime. This is one of the most popular drinks served at Mexican weddings, and that is just the way the guests love them. No fancy grapefruit juice or garnishes needed. Often this drink is served with a Tajin rim. 
5. Bay Breeze – let’s face it, a Vodka/cranberry, or Cape Cod is often ordered by novice drinkers or the unimaginative. But add a healthy splash of pineapple to it and the drink goes down way too easy. Those are the empty glasses sitting on tables with every drop of liquid sucked out of them. 
6. Jameson and Ginger – this is the poor man’s mule and is probably the better drink. Ginger Ale is good with any liquor and doesn’t produce heartburn the way ginger beer does. To get fancy add a dash of bitters, or a squeeze of lime. I’ve seen a few wedding guests laying on the floor after downing a bunch of these. 
7. Tequila Sunrise – Whenever I pour a tequila sunrise, and the guest walks away with it, another guest spots the drink, “What is that? I want one!” The layered look of the tequila, with orange juice, and splash of grenadine, makes it one attractive package that is highly drinkable. 
8. Jack and Coke – Need I say more. This classic is still very popular. After the margarita and Paloma, probably the most popular at Mexican weddings. Good ole’ boys love their Jack and Cokes too. It’s actually very popular across all races and ethnic groups. Also sometimes called the “blackout.” Not really, I just made that up. 
9. GreyHound – Once on a prolonged trip across Mexico, a friend and I drank enough of these to get pickled and we both ended up in rehab. I prefer the white grapefruit juice over the ruby red. You can add a splash of sparkling water and a lime, or add a salt rim and make it a Salty Dog. 
10. Vodka Soda – If you are a super model or an influencer with over 10,000 followers, or just very unimaginative, you will love this drink. Get faded with the least amount of calories. Put a squeeze or two of lime into it, to give it a little flavor. If you want to get fancy, add bitters, or lemon, or a splash of pineapple or cranberry. Some bartender theorized that people who order these are boring in bed. I didn’t say it. Actually the vodka/soda has been replaced by the tequila/ soda among LA elites. 

So there you have it, ten simple and timeless drinks that never go out of style. Of course there is a demand for mustachioed and tattooed hipsters that make those fantastical libations served with a touch of attitude and cynicism. Just bring your platinum card, and get humble, as you are about to get dazzled by sheer awesomeness. Seriously, I am not against mixology, and love using fresh ingredients creating new cocktails, but that usually works better with small groups. 

Great drinking!

Rob