3 of the Hottest Cocktails in Atlanta... and How You Can Make Them at Home

The travel series rolls on. The premise, for anyone just joining: we pick a city, track down the most talked-about drinks at its newest bars, and come home with the recipes so you can pour them yourself. Our next stop is Atlanta, known for its sports teams, music scene, and Southern hospitality… as well as some killer cocktails.

Moonwalker Taking its name from the French word for “bitter,” it’s no surprise that Amer puts a special focus on cocktails with ingredients like cynar, aquavit, and amari. Lead bartender Shanna Mayo crafts these complex recipes to pair perfectly with the bar’s European-style small plates. While it’s certainly not the most bitter cocktail on the list, we recommend the Moonwalker.

Made with agricole rhum, chartreuse, and champagne, it’s grassy, herbal, and slightly sweet… and packs a serious punch.

Japanese Cowboy Open for just over a year, Little Trouble (pictured above) has quickly become iconic for its industrial design, neon lighting, and potent drinks. The Asian-inspired menu is paired with a list of high-quality sake and “super crafty” cocktails. There’s a concoction for every taste on the menu, but we’re partial to the Japanese Cowboy, a simple yet intoxicating blend of Japanese whisky, lemon juice, and ginger. See recipe

Singapore Sling If you’re in the mood for something festive, look no further than S.O.S. The tiki bar serves up tropical drinks and an island-inspired atmosphere, alongside eats like coconut shrimp. S.O.S. is known for its large cocktails that can be shared between groups of two to four, as well as punch bowls that serve up to eight.

If you’re gonna go tiki, you might as well go all the way with the classic Singapore Sling. Gin is mixed with orange liqueur, cherry brandy, and pineapple juice (among other ingredients) for a combo that’s bright and refreshing.

Atlanta’s cocktail scene rewards those who seek it out — whether you’re hunting for a Japanese-inspired izakaya bar or a European aperitivo-forward spot, the city keeps delivering. And if you want to recreate any of these drinks at home, Cocktail Builder has the recipes and ingredient lists to get you there.

Last modified on July 3, 2026