An independent cocktail encyclopedia
CocktailLexicon is an independent reference for cocktails and mocktails, written in English and German. It is not run by a spirits brand, a distributor or a bar group, and no producer pays to appear in a recipe.
The German site cocktaillexikon.com has been online since 2020. In 2026 the project was relaunched as CocktailLexicon.com, with English as the main language and a German edition that is written for German readers rather than translated word for word.
How we write recipes
Tested specifications
Every recipe is a working specification: exact quantities, the right glass, the right ice and a clear method. Where a drink has an official or widely accepted spec, we follow it. Where a drink is obscure, we keep the recipe as it is known and make sure it is balanced and mixable at home.
Metric first, ounces on request
All quantities are given in millilitres, because that is how most bars outside the United States measure. A switch on every recipe converts the measures to US fluid ounces, so you can follow the spec with whichever jigger you own.
Honest history
Cocktail history is full of good stories and few documents. We only state facts we are confident about. When the origin of a drink is disputed, we say so and present the competing accounts as accounts, not as settled history. When little is known, we describe the family, era and style the drink belongs to instead of filling the gap with invented names or dates.
Photos
The drink photos on this site are produced exclusively for CocktailLexicon and show each drink the way the recipe describes it: the right glass, ice and garnish.
Which drinks we include
- The IBA list: the official cocktails of the International Bartenders Association form the backbone of the collection.
- Modern classics: drinks from the last few decades that bartenders around the world now make as a matter of course.
- Established standards: highballs, sours, tiki drinks, punches and hot drinks that belong in any serious reference.
- Mocktails: alcohol-free drinks built with the same care for balance as their alcoholic counterparts.
Corrections
If you spot a mistake in a recipe or a historical detail, please get in touch. We check every note and correct entries when the evidence supports it.
Please enjoy alcohol responsibly.