North American cocktail culture is deeply rooted in 19th-century traditions, heavily relying on bold American whiskey styles like rye and bourbon, alongside apple brandy (Applejack). It laid the groundwork for modern mixology with foundational spirit-forward builds and bitters-driven recipes. Key classic examples that originated here include the Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Mint Julep, and Sazerac.

Almond Old Fashioned
Bourbon

Amaretto Sour (Jeffrey Morgenthaler recipe)
Bourbon, Amaretto liqueur

Aviation
London dry gin

Aviation Cocktail (Savoy recipe)
London dry gin

Bee's Knees
London dry gin

Bee's Knees – IBA
London dry gin

Bloody Mary
Vodka

Bloody Mary (recipe No. 2)
Vodka

Brandy Alexander
Cognac

Clover Club
London dry gin

Clover Club – IBA
London dry gin

Cosmopolitan Cocktail (1934 recipe)
London dry gin

Dry Martini 5:1
London dry gin

Final Ward
Rye whiskey, Herbal liqueur (e.g., Green Chartreuse), Maraschino liqueur

Gibson Dry Martini
London dry gin

Godfather
Blended Scotch whisky

Last Word
London dry gin

Last Word – IBA
London dry gin, Herbal liqueur (e.g., Green Chartreuse), Maraschino liqueur

Lemon Drop Martini – IBA
Vodka

Mai Tai
White rum

Mai Tai (Beaumont-Gantt's)
Jamaican-style overproof aged rum

Mai Tai (Trader Vic’s)
Caribbean aged rum

Mango Vodka Sour
Mango vodka, Mango liqueur

Manhattan
Rye whiskey