A cocktail is only as good as how balanced all of its ingredients are, which is why pro bartenders can spend hours crafting a new recipe—measuring components like amaro or fresh citrus juice down to the quarter-ounce—to make the perfect sip. It’s for this reason that I hold a special place for a classic cocktail that throws caution to the wind and yet somehow manages to provide a deliciously balanced drink with equal-measure pours of every single one of its ingredients.
Equal parts cocktails remind me of the people who, seemingly without effort, managed to get straight A’s without studying, captained a sports team, and never had a bad hair day. “Must be nice…” I mumble to myself, all while wishing I disliked them… but I can’t. Because guess what? They are also truly delightful to be around. (Of course they are.)
These equal-parts bevs are ones I order out regularly but also ones I don’t shy away from making at home because of how little brain power they require. No fancy cocktail jigger on hand? No problem.