For drinks enthusiasts, 2023 was a year of turbulence and change—with a sprinkling of trendy innovation mixed in for good measure. There were climate-affected harvests, plunging spirits sales and changing beer recipes. There was the emergence of odd—and in some cases rather intriguing—products like a “Waffles & Syrup“-flavored cream liqueur and smoked-trout brandy. There were also plenty more classic liquors and liqueurs that were just as noteworthy, many of which snagged spots on this year’s Top 100 Spirits of 2023 list.
While some of those top bottles are prized as straight-up sippers, many can and have been incorporated into some of the year’s most popular mixed drink recipes. From a lavender-hued, Taylor Swift-inspired cocktail to the internet-famous Parmesan espresso martini, this year saw a diverse and dizzying array of trending cocktails. Given that the end of year is a time to pause and look back on all the happenings of the previous 300-something-odd days, we decided to run the numbers to see which of those concoctions reigned supreme.
The results are somewhat surprising. The list includes both repeat favorites from last year, such as timeless hot buttered rum and unexpected newcomers like the Hugo Spritz, the unofficial drink of this summer (no offense to Tay Tay).
Here, we’re counting down the creations readers couldn’t get enough of this year. Did your favorite make the cut? We can only wonder what drink trends will reign supreme in 2024.
Photography by Heidi’s Bridge
10. The Dark ‘n’ Stormy
The name may sound ominous, but the Dark ‘n’ Stormy is actually quite refreshing. Plus, who doesn’t love a simple three-ingredient cocktail?
Courtesy of Getty Images
9. The Original Hot Buttered Rum
While a buttered cocktail may seem off-putting to some, there’s a reason this seasonal hot rum classic has endured for centuries.
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8. The Penicillin Cocktail
The name of this drink does indeed refer to the antibiotic that transformed modern medicine, but don’t expect the Penicillin cocktail to cure what actually ails you. However, the pleasing elixir of honey, ginger, lemon and Scotch offers a sweet and soothing prognosis.
Image Courtesy of Tom Bell Images
7. The Hugo Spritz
The Hugo spritz is a refreshing, low-alcohol sparkling wine cocktail with a gentle, floral flavor and a hint of herbaceous mint. While it has been around for some time, the Hugo spritz’s rise to prominence as 2023’s drink of the summer remains something of a mystery.
Photo by Tyler Zielinski
6. The Brandy Alexander
The Brandy Alexander is a classic cocktail whose name everyone seems to know, but fewer have tried. Equal parts Cognac, brown crème de cacao and heavy cream, it’s the cocktail world’s version of a boozy milkshake.
Vieux Carré / Photo by Tyler Zielinski
5. Vieux Carré
Often overshadowed by the Sazerac, this quintessential New Orleans cocktail combines bourbon, Cognac and Bénédictine.
Photography by Antonis Achilleos
4. The Gin Daisy
If you like margaritas, this cocktail is for you. The gin daisy’s combination of herbal and floral gin with fruity orange liqueur and grenadine, all topped off with soda water, looks like springtime in a glass.
Photo by Tom Arena
3. Apple Cider Sangria
A wine punch with endless possibilities, sangria is primed for personalization. This year, our readers fell for our autumnal take made with fresh apple cider and dry white wine.
Photography by Ali Redmond
2. Death in the Afternoon
This two-ingredient, effervescent drink, which shares a name with one of Ernest Hemingway’s books, is easy to make and tastes like black licorice.
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1. Ranch Water
Y’all just couldn’t get enough of this simple tequila highball (again). Refreshing and easy to make, we understand why this Texas staple continues to quench your summertime thirst. The ingredients for Ranch Water are as simple as they come: tequila, lime juice and sparkling water.
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