James Bond’s Martini had to be at the top of the list. "Shaken, not stirred", James Bond has actually transformed the Martini. Before 007, a Martini was made with gin and was never shaken. Look how movies change everything!
Bourbon/whiskey, 3 dashes of angostura bitters, a sugar cube, a citrus (usually orange) peel, and some ice—the Old Fashioned is a simple but classic cocktail that never fails.
Thanks to Sex and the City and Carrie Bradshaw, the Cosmopolitan gained global fame. Vodka, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice, triple sec, and ice make for a tasty cocktail.
White Russian, a cocktail that combines vodka, coffee liqueur, and cream is one of the classic cocktails to try at any time of the year.
This was made famous by the iconic Marilyn Monroe, who made The Manhattan cocktail a rage after the 1959 film Some Like It Hot. The Manhattan blends whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters and was first concocted in the 1870s.