The History Behind 10 Iconic Cocktails

From prohibition-era classics to modern favourites, every cocktail has a story. At 99&Main, we love serving drinks that not only taste incredible but also have fascinating histories behind them. Here's a look at some of the world's most famous cocktails and how they came to be.

Old Fashioned

Often regarded as the original cocktail, the Old Fashioned dates back to the early 1800s. Legend and historical accounts point to the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky in 1880 as a key spot where the named recipe took off, popularized by bourbon promoter James E. Pepper. Made with whiskey, sugar, bitters and orange, it's proof that simple ingredients can create something timeless. During Prohibition, the poor quality of illegal spirits led bartenders to muddle oranges and cherries into the glass to mask the harsh taste of inferior alcohol. It's still one of the most popular whiskey cocktails in the world and remains a favourite for those who appreciate bold, spirit-forward drinks.

Martini

The Martini has become synonymous with elegance. Some claim it was invented in Martinez, California. Others believe it derived its name from the famous Italian vermouth maker Martini & Rossi. Although its exact origins are debated, it rose to fame in the early 20th century before becoming a global icon thanks to James Bond's famous "shaken, not stirred" order. Whether made with gin or vodka, the Martini remains one of the most sophisticated cocktails ever created.

Negroni

Before the Negroni, the popular drink was the Americano, made with equal parts Campari and sweet red vermouth plus a splash of soda water. The Negroni was born in Florance, Italy, in 1919, when Count Camillo Negroni asked bartender Fosco Scarselli for his Americano cocktail to be made stronger by replacing the soda water with gin. Scarselli also switched the lemon peel garnish for an orange slice to distinguish the new drink. The result was a perfectly balanced combination of gin, Campari and sweet vermouth that's still loved for its bittersweet character.

Margarita

Few cocktails have as many origin stories as the Margarita. Popular origin legends are,

• Carlos 'Danny' Herrera (1938). A bartender at Rancho La Glosia in Baja California allegedly created the drink for showgirl Marjorie King, who was allergic to most alcohols except tequila.

• Margaret 'Margarita' Sames (1948). A wealthy American socialite claimed she invented the mix as a lavish holiday party in Acapulco.

• Don Carlos Orozco (1941). Said to have created the drink at Hussong's Cantina in Ensenada for the German ambassador's daughter, naming it after her.

While no one knows exactly who invented it, it emerged in Mexico during the 1930s or 1940s and quickly became one of the world's favourite tequila cocktails. Fresh lime, quality tequila and orange liqueur create the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

Mojito

The Mojito traces its roots back to Cuba in the 16th century starting as a medicinal tonic called 'El Draque'. In 1586, Sir Francis Drake and his crew anchored off Havana, Cuba, suffering from scurvy and dysentery. Crew members went ashore and returned with local ingredients of fresh mint, lime, sugar and aguardiente. The lime helped fight scurvy, the mint and sugar improved the harsh taste and the aguardiente alcohol acted as a preservative, combining to create one of the most refreshing cocktails ever made. By the late 19th century, as rum production in Cuba improved and refined, aguardiente was replaced by white rum. Ernest Hemingway famously enjoyed Mojito in Havana, helping cement the drink's legendary status.

Daiquiri

Another Cuban classic, the Daiquiri was originally a simple mixture of rum, lime juice and sugar. American mining engineer Jennings Cox is credited with creating the drink. Story says he ran out of gin while entertaining guests so mixed what we know to be the daiquiry to beat the heat. Cox named his creation after the local beach and mining village. Long before frozen versions became popular, the drink boomed in the US during world war II. Whiskey and vodka were hard to find but trade policies made Caribbean rum easy to buy and the Daiquiri has since been celebrated as an elegant and refreshing cocktail that highlighted the quality of rum itself.

Espresso Martini

Despite its name, the Espresso Martini contains neither gin nor vermouth. It was invented in London during the 1980s when a customer reportedly asked legendary bartender Dick Bradsell at the Soho Brasserie for a drink that would 'wake me up and then f**k me up', and the rest is history. While working as London's Pharmacy Bar in the late 90s, Bradsell briefly renamed the drink, Pharmaceutical Stimulant, due to the trendy venue's name. The drink is traditionally topped with three coffee beans representing health, wealth and happiness. Today it's ne of the UK's most ordered cocktails.

Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan became famous during the 1990s thanks to Sex and the City, but it existed long before then. Bartender Neal Murray claimed he invented the Cosmo in 1975 in Minnesota by adding a splash of cranberry juice to a Kamikaze. Famed bartender Dale DeGroff popularized a similar version to what we know today at the Rainbow Room in New York, famously serving it to celebrities like Madonna. Made with vodka, cranberry juice, lime and orange liqueur, its vibrant colour and refreshing citrus flavour have made it a modern classic.

Whiskey Sour

Dating back to the 1800s, the Whiskey Sour was originally enjoyed by sailors, who mixed spirits with citrus to help preserve fresh fruit during long voyages and fend off scurvy. Following a slump in the 1970s, opinions on the drink were mixed with a general consensus that convenience-driven powdered and bottled sour mixes replaced fresh lemon juice and sugar, dulling the drink's reputation until craft bartenders revived it. Today it’s a beautifully balanced cocktail combining whiskey, lemon juice and sugar, often finished with egg white for a silky texture.

French Martini

One of the newest classics, the French Martini was created in New York during the late 1980s cocktail renaissance. It gained major traction in 1996 when famous bartender Dale DeGroff added it to the menu at Pravda, a trendy vodka bar owned by Keith McNally. The 'French' part of the name comes exclusively from its key ingredient, Chambord, a French black raspberry liqueur from the Loire Valley. Combined with vodka and pineapple juice, it’s smooth, fruity and slightly sweet, making it an ideal introduction for those new to cocktails.

Which One Will You Try?

Whether you prefer the smoky depth of an Old Fashioned, the refreshing zest of a Mojito or the rich coffee notes of an Espresso Martini, every cocktail tells a story.

At 99 & Main, we’re passionate about both the history and the craftsmanship behind every drink we serve. If you’re not sure which cocktail to choose, our team is always happy to recommend one based on the flavours you enjoy.

And if reading about these iconic drinks has inspired you to make them yourself, why not book one of our Cocktail Masterclasses? You’ll learn the stories, techniques and secrets behind some of the world’s best-loved cocktails while creating them yourself behind the bar.