IBA Cocktail Challenge: Making Every Official Cocktail

January 4, 2025 - IBA Cocktails

The IBA: A Brief History of the Cocktail Canon

The International Bartenders Association (IBA) was established in 1951 to unite bartenders worldwide, fostering a shared knowledge of craft and standards. Among its initiatives is the IBA Official Cocktails List, a collection of recipes considered quintessential in the bartending world. Updated periodically, the list represents timeless classics, modern innovations, and everything in between.

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The IBA categorizes its official cocktails into three sections: The Unforgettables, Contemporary Classics, and New Era Drinks. Each category reflects the evolving tastes of cocktail enthusiasts and celebrates the artistry behind the bar. Over the years, some drinks have been removed from the list, but they remain a vital part of cocktail history.

My IBA Cocktail Challenge

I’ve set out to make and taste every cocktail on the IBA list, from the iconic Negroni to modern favorites like the Espresso Martini. This challenge is as much about honing my mixology skills as it is about exploring the stories and flavors that make these drinks unforgettable.

For completeness, I’ll also be tackling the cocktails that have been removed from the official list—a nod to the ever-evolving nature of cocktail culture. As I make and try each drink, I’ll update the tables below. If I’ve written a recipe post (or a modification of that recipe), the cocktail name will link to it, so you can try it at home too!

Can I fill in all of the blanks on the list below in 2025? Follow along and see.

You can play along as well. If you don’t have a good set of bartending tools grab this set by Viski and grab this clear ice tray from Tovolo.

Viski Bartending Set

The Official IBA Cocktail List

The Unforgettables

This section contains some of oldest cocktails in the bunch, and I’ll tell you right now, there’s going to be gin. To work through this list, I’m grabbing a bottle of Aviation, it’s versatile, not to juniper forward, and decently priced.

Next you’ll need whiskey. Probably a few different varieties, but I’m starting with my old reliable Maker's Mark. I love it’s balance and sweetness. And again, it’s affordable. We’re mixing drinks, top shelf would be lost in the sugar and ice melt. To be official you’ll want a Rye (Bulleit is nice), and a scotch (Lagavulin is great but probably just deink it neat).

You will also need rum. And really you’ll need two. I’d use Plantation 5 for everything. But honestly, you’ll probably want a clear rum like Bacardi as well.

Cocktail	Tried	Made	Rating
Alexander ⓘ A creamy blend of gin, crème de cacao, and cream.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Americano ⓘ A refreshing mix of Campari, sweet vermouth, and soda water.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Angel Face ⓘ Sweet, fruity mix of gin, apricot, and calvados.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Aviation ⓘ A floral cocktail with gin, maraschino, and crème de violette.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░
Between the Sheets ⓘ A rum, cognac, and triple sec sour.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Boulevardier ⓘ A whiskey-forward twist on a Negroni.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉░░░░░
Brandy Crusta ⓘ A citrusy and brandy-based cocktail with a sugared rim.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Casino ⓘ A classic gin cocktail with maraschino and orange bitters.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Clover Club ⓘ A pre-Prohibition classic with gin, raspberry, and egg white.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░░
Daiquiri ⓘ A simple blend of rum, lime, and sugar.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░
Dry Martini ⓘ The timeless mix of gin and dry vermouth.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░░
Gin Fizz ⓘ A fizzy, citrus-forward gin cocktail.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Hanky-Panky ⓘ A gin and vermouth cocktail with Fernet Branca.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
John Collins ⓘ Refreshing Collins drink with gin, lemon, and soda.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Last Word ⓘ Bold, herbal mix of gin, green Chartreuse, and lime.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉
Manhattan ⓘ The quintessential rye and sweet vermouth cocktail.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉
Martinez ⓘ The precursor to the Martini, with gin and sweet vermouth.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░░
Mary Pickford ⓘ A rum cocktail with pineapple, grenadine, and maraschino.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Monkey Gland ⓘ Classic with gin, orange juice, and grenadine.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Negroni ⓘ Equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉░░░░░░
Old Fashioned ⓘ The definitive whiskey cocktail with bitters and sugar.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░
Pisco Sour ⓘ A South American classic with pisco, lime, and egg white.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Paradise	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Planter’s Punch ⓘ Tropical flavors of rum, lime, and rich syrups.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░
Porto Flip ⓘ Smooth mix of port, brandy, and egg yolk.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Ramos Fizz ⓘ A rich, creamy gin fizz with orange flower water.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░
Sazerac ⓘ The New Orleans rye and absinthe classic.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░
Remember the Maine ⓘ Complex rye cocktail with cherry and absinthe hints.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Rusty Nail ⓘ Smoky, honeyed mix of Scotch and Drambuie.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░░
Sazerac ⓘ New Orleans rye cocktail with bitters and absinthe.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░
Sidecar ⓘ A cognac sour with triple sec and lemon.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░
Stinger ⓘ A mix of brandy and crème de menthe.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░░
Tuxedo ⓘ Dry gin, orange bitters, and maraschino delight.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Vieux Carré ⓘ Sophisticated rye cocktail with Cognac, bitters, and vermouth.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░
Whiskey Sour ⓘ A classic blend of whiskey, lemon, and sugar.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░
White Lady ⓘ Elegant gin and citrus blend with egg white froth.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░

Contemporary Classics

Cocktail	Tried	Made	Rating
Bellini ⓘ Delicate mix of prosecco and fresh peach purée.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░░
Black Russian ⓘ A simple mix of vodka and coffee liqueur.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░░
Bloody Mary ⓘ A savory vodka and tomato juice classic.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░
Caipirinha ⓘ Brazil's national drink made with cachaça, lime, and sugar.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░
Cardinale ⓘ Dry, bitter mix of gin, dry vermouth, and Campari.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Champagne cocktail ⓘ Classic bubbly with sugar, bitters, and brandy.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░
Corpse Reviver #2 ⓘ Zesty mix of gin, Lillet, Cointreau, and absinthe.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░
Cosmopolitan ⓘ A vodka cranberry cocktail with lime and triple sec.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉░░░░░
Cuba Libre ⓘ A rum and Coke with lime.	✅	✅	▉▉▉░░░░░░░
French 75 ⓘ A sparkling cocktail with gin, lemon, and champagne.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░
French Connection ⓘ Smooth blend of Cognac and amaretto over ice.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Garibaldi ⓘ Vibrant mix of Campari and fresh orange juice.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Grasshopper ⓘ A sweet and creamy mint and chocolate cocktail.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉░░░░░
Hemingway Special ⓘ A daiquiri variation with grapefruit and maraschino.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Horse’s Neck ⓘ Brandy and ginger ale with a lemon peel.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Irish Coffee ⓘ Coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar, and cream.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉░░░░░░
Kir ⓘ Simple blend of white wine and creme de cassis.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Long Island Iced Tea ⓘ A mix of spirits with cola and lemon.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░
Mai Tai ⓘ A tropical rum and lime classic.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░
Margarita ⓘ A tequila classic with lime and triple sec.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░
Mimosa ⓘ Orange juice and champagne.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░░
Mint Julep ⓘ Bourbon, mint, and sugar—a Derby staple.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉░░░░░
Mojito ⓘ Rum, lime, mint, and soda water.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉░░░░░
Moscow Mule ⓘ Vodka, lime, and ginger beer.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░░
Piña Colada ⓘ Creamy tropical mix of rum, coconut, and pineapple.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉░░░░░
Pisco Sour ⓘ Peruvian classic with pisco, lime, and egg white.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Rabo de galo ⓘ Brazilian mix of cachaca and sweet vermouth.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Sea Breeze ⓘ Vodka with cranberry and grapefruit juices.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Sex on the beach ⓘ Fruity blend of vodka, peach schnapps, and juices.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░
Singapore Sling ⓘ A gin punch with cherry brandy and citrus.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░
Tequila Sunrise ⓘ Tequila, orange juice, and grenadine.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉░░░░░
Vesper ⓘ Gin, vodka, and Lillet Blanc.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░░
Zombie ⓘ A potent rum cocktail with tropical flavors.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░

New Era Drinks

Cocktail	Tried	Made	Rating
Bee’s Knees ⓘ A gin cocktail with lemon and honey.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░
Bramble ⓘ Refreshing gin cocktail with lemon, sugar, and blackberry liqueur.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Cancharnchara	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Chartreuse swizzle	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Dark n Stormy ⓘ Spicy blend of dark rum and ginger beer over ice.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░
Don’s Special Daiquiri	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Espresso Martini ⓘ Vodka, coffee liqueur, and espresso.	✅	❌	▉▉▉▉▉░░░░░
Fernandito	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
French Martini	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Gin Basil Smash	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Grand Margarita ⓘ Premium twist on a classic margarita with Grand Marnier.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░
IBA Tiki	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Illegal	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Jungle Bird	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Missionary’s Downfall	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Lemon Drop ⓘ Sweet and tart vodka cocktail with fresh lemon and sugar.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉░░░░░
Naked and Famous	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
New York Sour	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Old Cuban	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Paloma ⓘ Tequila and grapefruit soda.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░
Paper Plane ⓘ Balanced mix of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░
Penicillin ⓘ A scotch sour with ginger and honey.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Pisco Punch	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Porn Star Martini	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Russian Spring Punch	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Sherry Cobbler	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
South Side	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Spicy Fifty	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Spritz	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Suffering Bastard	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Three Dots and a Dash	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Tipperary	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Tommy’s Margarita ⓘ A simpler Margarita with agave nectar and no orange juice.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░
Trinidad Sour ⓘ A bitters-heavy cocktail with almond and lime.	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Ve.n.to	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░

Removed IBA Cocktails

Though these drinks no longer appear on the official list, they remain iconic in their own right. I’ll be making my way through these as well.

Cocktail	Tried	Made	Rating
B-52 ⓘ Layered shooter with Kahlúa, Baileys, and Grand Marnier.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░
Bacardi	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Derby	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Dirty Martini ⓘ Savory twist on the classic martini with olive brine.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉▉░░░░
Godfather	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Godmother	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Harvey Wallbanger	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Kamikaze	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Rose	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░
Screwdriver ⓘ Simple and refreshing mix of vodka and orange juice.	✅	✅	▉▉▉▉▉░░░░░
Vampiro	❌	❌	░░░░░░░░░░

Updates and Notes

This page will be continuously updated as I work my way through the list. If you’re also exploring the IBA cocktails, let me know your favorites—or the ones you think are overrated!

For recipes, tips, and techniques, check out the rest of my blog. Cheers to the journey!