10 Drinks Everyone Should Know How to Make

The classic Manhattan has to be one of the most satisfying of all cocktails. It’s like a liquid layer cake— each ingredient is immensely flavorful and satisfying. Credited to The Manhattan Club, the place where it was prepared for Winston Churchill’s Brooklyn-born mum in the 1870s, this drink is a true treat, whether you’re bellying up to the humblest of backwoods bars or simply wowing your father-in-law by stirring one up. Get the recipe at Food52.

We like our Bloodies spicy. Really spicy. Old Bay just won't cut it on its own. A surefire way to make sure the heat level hits the high mark is with home-infused vodka that delivers on three spicy fronts with chiles, horseradish, and peppercorns. Need more hair on your chest? Take a shot of it first. Get the recipe at Food52.

If drinks were college coeds, from cardigan-wearing scotch-and-sodas, to fraternity row jungle juice, then the gimlet would be "the girl next door." It’s classic, straightforward, and always agreeable. Actually, that's more than we can say for ourselves. Get the recipe at Food52.

The Michelada is great if you're in the mood for something savory and refreshing that won't put you under the table. It's got some of the classic flavors of a Bloody Mary (tomato, citrus, Worcestershire), but because you use beer in place of vodka, the general effect is gentler, better suited to a lazy afternoon than a boot-and-rally brunch. Get the recipe at Food52.

Sure, you can make an average mojito and it will be a guaranteed crowd-pleaser—mint, rum, sugar, what's not to like? But take one look at this buxom, vanilla-and-spice variant and there's no getting around giving her a spin. If there was ever a time to try persimmons, those funky-looking but familiar-tasting, fleshy orange fruits, it's now. Get the recipe at Food52.

Rumor has it that an enlightened bartender mixed up the first margarita in Rosarita Beach, Mexico, for a showgirl named Marjorie King who was allergic to all liquor except tequila. “Margarita” is the Spanish equivalent of Marjorie. Whether or not liquor allergies like Marjorie's exist remains to be seen, but until we manage to get drinks named after ourselves, we’re drinking to her. Get the recipe at Food52.

Snappy ginger beer lends loft to this two-layer Dark 'n Stormy, while fresh lime juice keeps the boorish dark rum in check. A slow pour of ginger beer into the glass of rum raises the alcohol like a raft. A party trick and drink in one. Get the recipe at Food52.

Put the OJ down. Mimosas are for uncreative noobs. If you can pour champagne (and we're not talking about Andre), you can make this cocktail. Bonus points to those who make a cool twist. Get the recipe at Food52.