This Tequila-Spiked Carajillo Is a Jolt of Energy
At Mexico City’s Cicatriz, the classic digestivo is reimagined as a party-starting cocktail.
- story: Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu
- photo: Alan Carranza
Mastering the Americano
At Ama in Washington, D.C., Micah Wilder has spent more than a decade perfecting the easygoing aperitivo.
- story: Al Culliton
- photo: Scott Suchman
Mastering the Hotel Nacional Special
Juyoung Kang’s perfected take on the classic brings the pineapple- and apricot-spiked Daiquiri variation into perfect balance.
- story: Al Culliton
- photo: Angelo Clinton
For Dave Arnold, No Ordinary Gin & Tonic Will Suffice
The science-minded bartender found bubbly, crystalline perfection via force carbonation, distillation, clarification and more. (Don’t worry, he has an easy recipe, too.)
- story: Justin Burnell
- photo: Lizzie Munro
Mastering the Campari Soda
For many in Tokyo’s drinking circles, the perfect take on the deceptively simple drink can be found only at Ginza’s Bar Shake.
- story: Nicholas Coldicott
- photo: Jaime Miki
Mastering Eggnog
Max Overstrom-Coleman’s take on the time-honored classic does not make you choose between rum, bourbon and Cognac.
- story: Valerie Li Stack
- photo: Lisa Nichols
Mastering Coquito
LyAnna Sanabria's batchable, giftable take on the Puerto Rican classic features a warming toasted spice coconut syrup.
- story: Kara Newman
- photo: Davis Digital
Mastering the Flaming Coffee Grog
Paradise Lost reimagines the underrated tiki drink with a perfected honey butter mix and “a whole lotta rum.”
- story: Kara Newman
- photos: Lizzie Munro
Mastering the Satan’s Whiskers
At the London Bar of the same name, Kevin Armstrong keeps the orange juice, but lets the gin shine in this overlooked 1930s recipe.
- story: Tyler Zielinski
- photo: Joe Brayford
Mastering the Negroni Sbagliato
By revising the drink's proportions, Joe Campanale tilts the aperitivo towards greater refreshment.
- story: Kara Newman
- photo: Shannon Sturgis
Mastering the Frozen Margarita
Travis Tober dials in the summer standby with a trick for fuller flavor and less dilution.
- story: Kara Newman
- photo: Rebecca Murphy
Mastering the White Negroni
For Trick Dog's Josh Harris, Suze has no place in the modern classic.
- story: Kara Newman
- photo: Nicola Parisi