Top 10 Cocktails that Women Enjoy

We’d be remiss to build a list of the finest cocktails without including this legendary frozen drink. A mix of coconut, pineapple, and rum, it’s the national drink of Puerto Rico and gained international appeal with the release of the 1979 Rupert Holmes hit “Escape.” Although the origin of the drink is disputed among several bartenders, with some saying it was even invented by Puerto Rican pirates, it has garnered popularity worldwide and is officially celebrated on July 10 as National Piña Colada Day.

Known as the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, the first mention of this beloved drink of the South came about in 1784 as a prescription for digestive ailments. This cocktail has several variations, some that include gin, whiskey, or brandy as the spirit, although the most popular is bourbon, which is served with ice, sugar, and fresh mint. The sweet drink also made it big in pop culture as the subject of the 1950s novelty song, “One Mint Julep,” and by appearing in various films.

Although there are several variations on this classic drink, the most notable of which is the national drink of Brazil the Caipirinha, the Cuban mojito is the one that has become the most universal. A combination of white rum, lime juice, mint, sparkling water, and either sugar or sugar cane juice are mixed together in a highball glass and then pressed with a muddler. While the origins are uncertain, there is no doubt that this favorite drink of author Ernest Hemingway owes its existence to the tropical city of Havana.

Referred to as one of the world’s most complex cocktails, the major differences between these two related drinks is the tomato juice in the Bloody Mary as compared to the Caesar’s Clamato juice. Combined with the juices in these drinks are a variety of spices, sauces, and vegetables as diverse as salt, pepper, celery, olives, tabasco, and Worcestershire sauce. Despite its Roman sounding name, the Caesar was actually invented in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, while the Bloody Mary has several conflicting origin stories.

One of the official drinks of the International Bartender Association, this classic drink has two very basic ingredients: vodka and orange juice. Another drink with a dubious origin story, this one may have originated when oil workers in the Persian Gulf started spicing their OJ up with vodka, and due to their lack of a spoon they mixed it in with – what else? – a screwdriver. Since then, the highball has taken on a life of its own, inspiring additions of spirits like cognac, brandy, and gin that have resulted in drinks like the Rusty Screw and the French Screw. The drink has also been a prolific pop culture reference, perhaps most humorously in the British sitcom “Fawlty Towers.”

Picture it! Wisconsin: 1870 - the first published mention of a whiskey sour comes on the scene! Since then the drink’s demand and renown has snowballed, with a recipe that consists of a traditional mixture including whiskey, sugar, lemon juice, and egg white. With a foamy texture and a slight boost of protein to boot, this cocktail has invited many variations, including the popular substitution of amaretto in place of whiskey, which gives the drink a sweeter, almond-flavored taste.

Originating from the regions of Spain and Portugal, this often dark-colored drink generally consists of red wine, either fruit juice or chopped fruit, and some kind of a sweetener. Popular adaptations of this West European drink include the addition brandy, substituting red wine for white or mulled wine, or including anything from peaches to berries to melons to mangos as the fruit or a fruit juice of choice. This delicious cocktail has also found into the world of literature, most notably with the award-winning 2009 novel “Sangria: A Recipe for Love.”

Who knew that tequila, triple sec and citrus juice would taste so good together? Served either straight up, on the rocks, or frozen, this salt-rimmed drink has become one of the most popular tequila-based cocktails in the United States, though the origins of the drink are placed somewhere in Mexico. With spin-offs that combine the drink with Grand Marnier or blue curacao and flavors as diverse as peach, strawberry, and banana, it gained tremendous popularity in North America with the Jimmy Buffet single “Margaritaville.”

Though many might blush at the thought of ordering this delightful cocktail in public, the flavors of this alcoholic drink are almost too good to resist. The most popular version, as stated by the International Bartender Association, calls for vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice. Other recipes include Chambord, pineapple juice, melon liqueurs, grenadine, coconut rum, and other appealing ingredients. Whatever your preference, this shaken drink is an essential must-try-at-least-once for every lady – cheeky as its name may be.

Before we take a sip of our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- Mimosa
- Daiquiri
- Long Island Iced Tea
- New Orleans Fizz
- Manhattan

There is no drink that defines the female experience as much as this sharp concoction of vodka, triple sec, lime juice and cranberry juice. Although the origins of this cocktail are also somewhat muddled, with people crediting the drink to various bartenders, restaurant owners, and the gay community in Massachusetts, it received an explosion in popularity only within the last 30 years, with one of the catalysts being Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, in the hit franchise “Sex and the City.” If you’ve never tried it, be sure to order it on your next girls’ night out!

Do you agree with our list? What cocktails are your favorite, ladies? For more entertaining top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.