Although it’s painful to think about, you’re going to graduate someday. And when that day arrives, you’ll probably have to rethink the way you imbibe. It can be a scary transition, but we’re here to help with a list of eight basic cocktails you need to know once you get into the real world.

Hurricane

Ingredients:
2 ounces light rum
2 ounces dark rum
2 ounces passion fruit juice
1 ounce orange juice
1 ounce lime juice
½ ounce simple syrup
1 tablespoon grenadine
Orange half-wheel for garnish

Directions:
1. Combine everything in cocktail shaker.
2. Shake well with ice.
3. Strain into large glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Garnish with orange half-wheel.

 

Martini

Ingredients:
2 ounces dry gin
1 ounce dry vermouth
Olives for garnish

Directions:
1. Combine everything in cocktail shaker.
2. Fill with ice and shake or stir.
3. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with olives.

 

Mint Julep

Ingredients:
2½ ounces bourbon
2 teaspoons simple syrup
8-10 fresh mint leaves
Crushed ice
Mint sprig for garnish

Directions:
1. Muddle simple syrup and mint in tall glass.
2. Fill with crushed ice, add bourbon and stir well until glass becomes frosty.
3. Garnish with mint sprig.

 

Sidecar

Ingredients
1½ ounces Cognac
1 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
½ ounce lemon juice

Directions
1. Coat rim of cocktail glass with sugar.
2. Combine everything in cocktail shaker.
3. Shake well with ice.
4. Strain into prepared glass.

 

Tom Collins

Ingredients:
2 ounces gin
¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
¾ ounce simple syrup
Club soda
Lemon wheel

Directions:
1. Coat rim of cocktail glass with sugar.
2. Combine everything in cocktail shaker.
3. Shake well with ice.
4. Strain into prepared glass.

 

Negroni

Ingredients:
1 ounce dry gin
1 ounce Campari
1 ounce sweet vermouth
Orange wedge for garnish

Directions
1. Combine everything in glass with ice.
2. Stir until chilled.
3. Garnish with orange wedge.

 

Dark ‘n’ Stormy

Ingredients:
2 ounces dark rum
3 ounces ginger beer
Lime wedge for garnish

Directions
1. Fill glass with ice.
2. Add dark rum.
3. Top with ginger beer.
4. Garnish with lime wedge.

 

Manhattan

Ingredients:
2 ounces rye whiskey
1 ounce sweet vermouth
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Citrus peel for garnish

Directions
1. Combine everything in cocktail shaker.
2. Stir well with ice.
3. Strain into chilled glass.
4. Garnish with citrus peel.