Sometimes the best drink is the simplest one. This Food & Wine piece does something we love — it goes straight to the source, asking actual bartenders what they reach for after a long shift. The answers are refreshingly unexpected: think bourbon and cranberry juice, Pineau des Charentes and coconut water, or a bitter French aperitif with elderflower tonic. The throughline is that just because a cocktail is simple doesn't mean it has to be basic — and these pairings prove it. Whether you're stocking a home bar or just want to impress without overthinking it, this is a great reminder that restraint can be its own kind of craft.

Read more about this here!