The Modern Cocktail No. 2 shows how wonderfully blended scotch can work in a cocktail. As written in the Savoy Cocktail Book from 1930, the Modern #2 matches the smooth richness of blended scotch with the sharp tang of sloe gin, with dashes of absinthe, grenadine and bitters lending additional complexity. More

Credited to Philadelphia bartender Colin Shearn of Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co., the Restraining Order is based on the mellow, vegetal character of reposado tequila. Shearn complements the tequila with a dose of Aperol, a bright, low-alcohol aperitif liqueur with a potent, complex flavor dominated by bitter oranges and rhubarb. Accented with several dashes of celery bitters and a big squeeze of orange peel atop the finished cocktail, the drink has a powerful pop of herbaceous flavor and a delicate, nuanced balance. More

The Oaxaca Old Fashioned takes one of the greatest drinks in the mixological canon and gives it a south-of-the-border spin with reposado tequila and mezcal. Rich, smoky and spicy, this is an exceptional adaptation of a venerable classic. More

Once a regular drink at the Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Adonis was named for a popular 1884 musical that was the Mamma Mia of its era. A simple combination of dry sherry and sweet vermouth, the Adonis is a great introduction to the realm of aperitif cocktails. More

Let's start the weekend right—with a cocktail recipe from Paul Clarke. The Cap Haitien Rum & Honey is about as easy to prepare as it sounds: Barbancourt rum, honey, and one or two dashes Angostura bitters. More

The Pegu Club is a remarkable and deceptive cocktail. Seemingly a simple mix of gin, lime juice, and orange curaçao, the drink has a flavor that is given robust depth by the addition of two styles of bitters. Rich, tart, and crisp at the same time, the Pegu Club has enamored countless cocktail geeks over the past decade--and while there are several recipes for this drink floating around, they're all variations on the same theme. More

Dating to at least 1930, Satan's Whiskers is actually relatively modest in firepower, perfect for celebrating a festive evening without making it an early night. Gin is mixed with equal parts sweet and dry vermouth and fresh orange juice, and the mixture is given crisp depth by adding orange bitters and the gentle sweetness of orange liqueur. This last point results in two versions of the cocktail: the curled version, which uses orange curacao for the liqueur; the straight version employs Grand Marnier. More