Discover the go-to cocktails that bartenders order when they're in a pinch, and learn how to elevate your own bartending skills.
Your Go-To Menu: 5 Foolproof Cocktails for When a Guest Says "Surprise Me"
Every bartender dreads it at some point: a guest settles into their seat, looks up, and says, "I trust you -- just make me something good." It sounds like freedom, but without a plan, it can feel like a pop quiz with no right answer.
The solution is not to have a mental catalog of hundreds of cocktails on standby. The solution is to build a small, well-curated personal repertoire -- five to seven reliable drinks that you can execute confidently, that cover a range of flavor profiles, and that are almost universally crowd-pleasing. When the moment comes, you reach for that list.
This guide shows you how to build that list and how to use a few targeted questions to match the right drink to the right guest every time.
Step One: Ask Before You Assume
The most common mistake bartenders make with the "surprise me" request is immediately reaching for something they personally love. Your taste is not your guest's taste. Before you touch a bottle, ask two or three quick questions:
The two-question method:
- "Are you in the mood for something spirit-forward and sipping, or something lighter and refreshing?"
- "Do you prefer sweet, sour, or a little of both?"
These two questions eliminate about 80% of the guesswork. A guest who says "light and refreshing, both sweet and sour" is pointing you directly toward something citrus-bright -- a Daiquiri, a Gimlet, or a Bee's Knees. A guest who says "spirit-forward, not too sweet" wants a stirred drink -- an Old Fashioned, a Negroni, or a Manhattan riff.
You can add a third question for color: "Any spirits you love or avoid?" This catches the vodka-only guest before you start reaching for the bourbon.
The Five Categories You Need to Cover
A strong go-to repertoire covers five flavor territories:
- Sour and refreshing (citrus-forward)
- Spirit-forward and stirred (boozy and elegant)
- Light and effervescent (sparkling/easy-drinking)
- Tropical or fruity (sweet and layered)
- Creamy or rich (indulgent and complex)
One reliable drink in each category gives you a complete toolkit for almost any guest.
The Five Cocktails
1. The Classic Daiquiri (Sour and Refreshing)
The Daiquiri is one of the most underestimated cocktails in the repertoire. When made correctly -- not the blended, strawberry-from-a-machine version, but a properly balanced, freshly shaken original -- it is one of the most satisfying drinks in the world.
Recipe:
- 2 oz white rum
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
Shake hard with ice. Double strain into a chilled coupe. No garnish required, though a lime wheel works.
Why it works: Rum is universally approachable. The sour-sweet balance is clean and crowd-pleasing. The technique is quick and the drink is beautiful.
When to reach for it: Guest wants something refreshing, not too heavy, citrus-forward. Works equally well in summer and winter.
2. The Old Fashioned (Spirit-Forward and Stirred)
The Old Fashioned is the foundation of spirit-forward cocktails and the most important stirred drink in the classic canon. If you can make a great Old Fashioned, you can navigate this entire category.
Recipe:
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1/4 oz simple syrup (or 1 sugar cube + splash water)
- 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
Stir over ice in a mixing glass until chilled and properly diluted (about 30 rotations). Strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. Express an orange peel over the surface and use as garnish.
Why it works: Whiskey is the most popular spirit category in the US. The drink is simple, sophisticated, and deeply satisfying for guests who mean business.
When to reach for it: Guest wants something strong, not sweet, prefers sipping over a sustained period.
3. The Aperol Spritz (Light and Effervescent)
The Aperol Spritz has become one of the most ordered cocktails in the world for a reason: it is light, beautiful, low-ABV, and accessible to almost everyone. It is also one of the fastest drinks to build.
Recipe:
- 3 oz prosecco
- 2 oz Aperol
- 1 oz soda water
Build over ice in a large wine glass. Garnish with an orange slice.
Why it works: The bittersweet orange character of Aperol is polarizing in description but almost universally liked in practice. It reads as sophisticated without being demanding.
When to reach for it: Guest wants something light for a first drink, is celebrating, or is new to cocktails and wants something approachable.
4. The Jungle Bird (Tropical and Fruity)
The Jungle Bird is a Tiki classic from 1978 that has earned a permanent place in the modern cocktail canon. It is one of the few tropical drinks where bitter and sweet coexist in a genuinely interesting way.
Recipe:
- 1.5 oz dark Jamaican rum
- 3/4 oz Campari
- 1.5 oz pineapple juice
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz simple syrup
Shake with ice. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass or a Tiki vessel. Garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Why it works: The Campari-pineapple-rum combination surprises guests who expect a typical tropical drink. It has depth that more cloying fruit cocktails lack, and it looks spectacular.
When to reach for it: Guest is adventurous and wants something tropical but not basic.
5. The Espresso Martini (Rich and Indulgent)
The Espresso Martini has had a legitimate resurgence and is consistently one of the most ordered cocktails at bars that serve it well. Nail the technique and this drink alone will earn you repeat customers.
Recipe:
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlua or Mr. Black)
- 1 oz freshly pulled espresso (or very strong cold brew concentrate)
- 1/4 oz simple syrup (optional, adjust to taste)
Shake hard with ice. The vigorous shake is what creates the dense foam on top. Double strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with three coffee beans.
Why it works: Coffee is a universal pleasure. The drink is dessert-adjacent, visually striking, and satisfying to watch being made.
When to reach for it: Post-dinner, guests who want something rich but not overwhelming, or anyone who mentions coffee.
Building Confidence Through Repetition
The goal of a personal go-to list is not to limit your repertoire -- it is to ensure that even under pressure, during a busy service or an unfamiliar bar, you have five drinks you can execute flawlessly. Confidence is visible. Guests can feel when a bartender reaches for a bottle with certainty versus hesitation.
Practice these five drinks until the muscle memory is automatic. Know the ratios cold. Know your preferred garnishes. Know your fallback if a key ingredient is unavailable.
When the guest says "surprise me," you will not feel the spike of anxiety. You will ask your two questions, pick your category, and build something great.
ABC Bartending College builds this kind of practical confidence through structured, hands-on training. Our programs cover the full range of classic and contemporary cocktails so you graduate ready to work behind any bar with competence and composure. Find a school near you.
