One of our favorite websites, Thrillist, came out with a list of cocktails that 15 bartenders named as the most overrated and underrated; each bartender had to choose what they felt was the #1 most over rated and #1 most underrated. Everyone has different tastes, so it may be sort of unfair to call a drink overrated or underrated, but we’ll play along with it because we like to hear what the professionals think.
The Overrated
Considering these bartenders had so many different cocktails to choose from, it was kind of surprising that 4 out of 15 bartenders chose the same drink as the most overrated: The Moscow Mule. It was invented in the 1930s as a way to introduce America to vodka, by combining vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer in a copper mug. The bartenders seem to agree that it’s such a basic drink and bars are charging an arm and a leg for them. They seem to think that if you enjoy the taste, you’re better off mixing your own at home for a fraction of the price.
Other overrated cocktails? The Manhattan received 2 votes, and the Mojito also received 2 votes.
What We Think: We’re going to have to agree with the bartenders on the whole Moscow Mule thing. We are all for simple drinks, but when there’s too much hype behind them and bars think they can charge a ridiculous amount, that’s when we tap out. As for the Manhattan and the Mojitio… we’re going to have to politely disagree. They’re not overrated, they’re classics.
The Underrated
There were three underrated drinks that all tied for first place at 2 votes each: Gin and Tonic, Daiquiri, and Negroni.
Bartenders agreed that people don’t always think about the Gin & Tonic because it’s only 2 ingredients. However, they feel that there’s so much a bartender can do with botanicals, ratio of gin to tonic water, strength of gin, etc. to make an excellent cocktail.
The two bartenders who chose the Negroni feel that it is an exceptionally well-balanced cocktail, with the right amounts of sweet, bitter, and acidity.
When the bartenders say Daiquiris are underrated, they don’t mean the sugary, slushy, overly garnished cocktails you buy on a cruise ship. They’re talking about the classic Daiquiri, made of only rum, lime juice, and simple syrup. They think most people don’t realize what a refreshing cocktail this is because of how it’s been ruined by others.
What We Think: Agree 100%. Some people spend so much time looking for bigger, better cocktails that they forget some of the best are found in their most basic forms.
Overall, we felt like this list was pretty spot-on. What do you think? What do you think are the most overrated and underrated cocktails?