Pink Lady

• The pink lady probably originated during the 1920s in the United States. The traditional recipe calls for gin, grenadine (which gives the drink its distinctive color) and an egg white. The egg white may be replaced by sweet cream. Gin distiller Gordon's recommends a pink lady variant which does not include grenadine, egg white or any of the other traditional ingredients. Another version of the recipe includes apple brandy, or "applejack," which gives the cocktail a stronger, tarter taste than the normal sweet pink lady. This cocktail was the favorite of 1950s actress Jayne Mansfield.

Mudslide

• Sweet and chocolate-flavored, the mudslide's similarity to an alcoholic milkshake has led to an unfair characterization as a cocktail for nondrinkers or a party drink for the young. The traditional recipe includes vodka, coffee liqueur and Irish cream. Some bartenders add cream and chocolate syrup to make the drink even sweeter. Extreme versions of the recipe include ice cream, making the mudslide a sweet treat for a hot summer day.

Brandy Alexander

• Another classic mixed drink with early 20th-century origins, the brandy Alexander is a simple and understated cocktail with a thick and creamy texture. The recipe calls for equal parts cognac, white creme de cacao and fresh cream. These are shaken and strained into a cocktail glass. A sprinkle of fresh ground nutmeg on top of the drink adds a pleasant counterpoint to the drink's sweet smoothness.

Grasshopper

• Like the brandy Alexander, the grasshopper includes creme de cacao and cream, although the brown creme de cacao used in the lighter-colored brandy Alexander is replaced with white creme de cacao in the grasshopper. Instead of cognac, the grasshopper includes creme de menthe, which gives it its characteristic bright green color and strong minty flavor. A sprig of mint as a garnish completes the cocktail. Tujague's in New Orleans claims to be the bar that invented the grasshopper.