Pina Colada

Creamy Piña Colada in a hurricane glass with pineapple garnish

Rum, pineapple and cream of coconut. The confusion between cream of coconut and coconut cream ruins more of these than anything else.

Mai Tai

Amber Mai Tai over crushed ice with mint and a lime shell

Two rums, lime, orgeat and curaçao. No pineapple juice, no grenadine, no umbrella required.

Mojito

Mojito in a tall glass with crushed ice, fresh mint and lime

Rum, lime, mint and soda — built in the glass, and ruined more often by over-muddling than by anything else.

Daiquiri

Pale classic Daiquiri in a coupe with a lime wheel

Rum, lime and sugar. The simplest real test of whether a bar knows what it is doing.