All About Drinks & Cocktails That Start With The Letter T

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Filled with sophisticated Martini variations, Old Fashioned spinoffs, and other upscale cocktails, the T list of drinks is a good one. In addition to many uppity cocktails, the T list is also fraught with unique international recipes; from Japan to France and Mexico to the Caribbean islands, the T list covers a lot of mileage. Check it out!

Tamagozake

Tamagozake is a traditional Japanese Sake drink. Often used as a home remedy to treat the common cold, Tamagozake is made with hot Sake, sugar, and a raw egg. Essentially, the Tamagozake is Japan’s version of the Hot Toddy. Though it is served outside of Japan, even in the U.S., it’s sometimes referred to as Sake Nog because of its egg content. Tamagozake is sweet and soothing with the Sake flavor at the forefront; it’s served in a footed mug and best-served piping hot. 

Tequila Slammer

Named for the suggested method of consumption, the Tequila Slammer is Mexican drink meant to be consumed shooter-style. A Tequila Slammer is also meant to be slammed on the bartop before shooting it to release the gases in its soda ingredient creating a foaming effect. Notably, a Tequila Slammer is made with tequila and a sweet soda such as 7-UP or Mountain Dew. The ingredients are carefully mixed in a shot glass; when served, you cover the shot glass with the palm of your hand and slam it atop the bar which creates a fizzing effect; be sure to quickly shoot it before it goes flat. 

Tequila Sour

Maybe Mexico was feeling left out of the Sour family of cocktails when this cocktail was created. Those in the know agree that tequila is a perfect member of the family as it perfectly lends itself to sour, citrusy recipes. A Tequila Sour is a mixture of tequila and sour mix over ice in a collins glass. Some variations of the recipe call for egg whites which give it a velvety foamy head. Finally, a Tequila Sour is garnished with a cherry. 

Tequila Sunrise

The Tequila Sunrise is arguably one of the most popular tequila drinks alongside the Margarita. The Tequila Sunrise dates back to the 1930s when it was popularized in the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. Historically, the Tequila Sunrise was a mix of tequila, soda water, lime juice, and sweet liqueur. However, as many cocktail recipes do, the recipe has evolved into a whole new drink. In fact, the Tequila Sunrise as we know it today has only two things in common with the original recipe: the name and tequila. Today, a Tequila Sunrise is poured over ice in a highball; the ingredients include tequila, orange juice, and grenadine. It’s left unmixed which creates a two-tone effect that contrasts the orange of the juice and the red of the grenadine. A Tequila Sunrise is perfect for summertime imbibing; it’s sweet, juicy, and refreshing. 

Tequila Sunset

The Tequila Sunset, which was popularized in the 70s, is a variation of the popular Tequila Sunrise (see above). The Tequila Sunrise is made of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine while the Tequila Sunset substitutes grapefruit juice for the orange juice. Just like the Tequila Sunrise, the Tequila Sunset is poured over ice into a highball and served unmixed. The marbling of colors in both drinks is reminiscent of a beautiful sunrise or sunset. 

Test Pilot

The Test Pilot was invented sometime after World War II by Donn Beach, a trailblazer of tiki cocktail recipes. Tiki drinks are the ones you’d think of if you were to belly up to a themed tiki bar. Tiki drinks, such as Mai Tais and Planters Punches, are juicy, fruity, and usually rum-based. The Test Pilot is one of these tiki drinks. A Test Pilot is made with both Puerto Rican and Jamaican rums, Falernum, orange liqueur, lime juice, bitters, and anise liqueur. The ingredients are poured over crushed ice and served in an old fashioned glass. The result of this concoction is a sweet and refreshing cocktail perfect for drinking poolside. 

The Last Word

Originating sometime during the 1920s in Detroit, Michigan, The Last Word was popular through the 1950s until it petered out. However, in the early 2000s, The Last Word started its comeback tour and is once again a hot bar drink. The Last Word is a neon colored cocktail made of gin, lime juice, Chartreuse, and maraschino liqueur. The ingredients are shaken in ice and strained into a cocktail glass. Finally, The Last Word is garnished with a cherry or two. 

Three Wise Men

The Three Wise Men is a shot paying homage to three whiskey brands with men’s names on their labels. In the case of this shooter, the Three Wise Men are Jack Daniels, Jim Beam, and Johnnie Walker. A Three Wise Men shot is less of a religious experience than one might expect, however, the punch this drink packs might inspire you to pray. Of note, the Three Wise Men’s ingredients are poured directly into a shot glass without chilling. 

Ti’ Punch

The Ti’ Punch, which translates to “small punch” in French, is particularly popular among French-speaking Caribbean islands. Named as the national drink of Martinique, the Ti’ Punch is a fruity, rum-based punch that is flavorful and inviting. Notably, the Ti’ Punch, unlike many punch drinks, is a simple blend of a few ingredients. The Ti’ Punch is made with rum, sugar cane syrup, and lime juice; it’s poured neat (without ice) in a highball and garnished with a lime wheel. The preparation is uncomplicated yet the taste is complex. 

Tinto de Verano

The Tinto de Verano originated in Spain and was invented at a bar called Venta de Vargas in the early 1900s. The Tinto de Verano is similar to a Spritzer which is white wine with a splash of club soda. The Tinto de Verano, however, spritzes fruity red wine with a lemon-lime or orange soda and a dash of sweet vermouth. The result is a more diluted glass of wine with an overtly fruity flavor. The Tinto de Verano is served over ice in a large red wine glass and garnished with an orange slice. 

Tokyo Iced Tea

Though the Tokyo Iced Tea is likely older than its first recipe publication; the first time it’s committed to print is in 1997. Nevertheless, very little is known about the drink’s origins. It seems, though, that the Tokyo Iced Tea is Japan’s spin on the Long Island Iced Tea. The Tokyo Iced Tea, which is interchangeably called the Tokyo Tea and the Three Mile Island Tea, is made over ice in a highball. It’s a feisty mix of rum, gin, vodka, tequila, triple sec, and melon liqueur; the Tokyo Iced Tea is topped with a fresh lime squeeze and a splash of lemon-lime soda then garnished with a fresh lime. 

Tom & Jerry

The Tom and Jerry is a U.S. concoction that originated in the late 1800s. It’s an eggnog-type drink that’s popular at Christmastime. Uber-popular throughout the Midwest, the Tom and Jerry is made with an egg batter constructed of separated egg parts. The egg batter is velvety and sweet and is mixed with hot water and either brandy or rum. It’s common to serve a Tom and Jerry in a footed mug and garnish it with whipped cream and grated nutmeg. The Tom and Jerry is a warm, comforting cocktail perfect for chasing away the winter blues. 

Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a refreshing cocktail that first debuted in print sometime in the late 1800s. One of a handful of classic gin cocktails, the Tom Collins is a popular summertime drink. Similar in taste to a spiked lemonade, the Tom Collins is made over ice in a collins glass. It’s a mix of gin, sour mix, and club soda garnished with an orange and cherry. 

Tommy’s Margarita

A twist on the original Margarita, Tommy’s Margarita was created during the 90s at a Restaurant called Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco. While a classic Margarita is a mix of tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and sour mix, a Tommy’s Margarita substitutes agave nectar for the triple sec which is an orange liqueur. The flavor profile of Tommy’s Margarita is similar to the classic recipe in that it merely substitutes one sweetener for another, however, the agave nectar is lighter in calories. Finally, like a classic Margarita, a Tommy’s Margarita is served on the rocks in a margarita glass with an optional salted rim. 

Toronto

Created sometime in the 1920s, it’s not clear whether the Toronto was created in the Canadian city or merely named for it. First called the “Fernet Cocktail” in a 1922 publication of “Cocktails: How to Mix Them,” the drink was soon after renamed the Toronto. Of note, the Toronto is a sophisticated mix of Canadian whisky, Fernet-Branca, simple syrup, and bitters. Akin to the Manhattan, the Toronto has a complex and rich taste with earthy undertones. The ingredients of the Toronto are shaken in ice and strained into a cocktail glass then finished with a lemon twist. 

Treacle

Created by an influential London bartender in the 1980s, the Treacle is a twist on the Old Fashioned. Even though crafting a Treacle is a bit involved as is the case with an Old Fashioned, the end result is well worth it. Significantly, a Treacle is made with rum, simple syrup, apple juice, and bitters. The ingredients are layered and stirred, a little bit at a time, on ice, in an old fashioned glass. Finally, a Treacle is garnished with a lemon wedge. 

Trumptini

The Trumptini is the signature cocktail of Miami’s Trump International Beach Resort. Named for the proprietor, Donald Trump, the Trumptini is a twist on the classic Martini. The Trumptini was first crafted in 1992 and remains on the resort’s menu today. A Trumptini is a sweet and fruity drink made with Bacardi Limon (a lemon-flavored rum), orange liqueur, lemon juice, and cranberry juice. It’s shaken in ice and strained into a martini glass. The rim of the glass is salted and the Trumptini is garnished with a lemon twist and a scoop of salmon caviar. 

Tuxedo

The Tuxedo is a sophisticated cocktail with a variety of subtly different recipes. Created sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century, the first published recipe for the Tuxedo is in a 1903 version of “Daly’s Bartenders’ Encyclopedia.” The Tuxedo recipe in this early publication lists orange bitters, Maraschino, French vermouth, and maple gin as its ingredients. The drink is shaken in ice and strained into a cocktail glass and garnished with a lemon twist. 

The Final Letter

Whether you’re looking for something fancy to serve at your next dinner party or a more down-to-earth recipe for your next barbecue, the T drinks have you covered. Consider whipping up one of these fine cocktail recipes sooner than later!

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