The word “cocktail” first appeared in print in 1806, in a newspaper called The Balance and Columbian Repository. According to the story, a customer at a bar in New York State ordered a drink made with “spirits of any kind, bitters, water, and sugar.” The drink was so popular that other customers began asking for “the same thing as the cocktail,” and the name stuck.Since then, cocktails have become an integral part of our culture. They are a way to celebrate, to socialize, and to unwind. They have been featured in countless movies and TV shows, and have even inspired their own books and documentaries.
Why learning to make cocktails is useful
Learning to make cocktails is not only fun and impressive, but it can also be a useful skill to have. Whether you’re hosting a party or just relaxing at home, being able to mix up a few drinks can make any occasion feel more special.Additionally, knowing how to make cocktails can save you money in the long run. Instead of spending $15 on a drink at a bar, you can make it yourself for a fraction of the cost.
Importance of having a well-stocked bar
To make cocktails at home, you’ll need to have a well-stocked bar. This means having the right tools and ingredients on hand. By investing in a few essential tools and stocking up on the right ingredients, you can be ready to make a wide range of cocktails at a moment’s notice.
Tools and ingredients
Basic tools for making cocktails
To make cocktails at home, you’ll need a few basic tools, including
Cocktail shaker:
Used to mix ingredients together
Jigger:
Used to measure out ingredients
Strainer:
Used to remove ice and other solids from the drink
Mixing spoon:
Used to stir ingredients together
Muddler:
Used to mash herbs and fruits in the bottom of a glass
Essential ingredients for making cocktails
There are a few essential ingredients that every home bar should have on hand, including
Liquor:
The base of most cocktails, including gin, vodka, rum, tequila, and whiskey
Bitters: Aromatic liquids that add flavor and complexity to cocktails
Mixers: Including juices, sodas, and syrups, which are used to add sweetness and acidity to cocktails
Garnishes: Such as citrus slices, herbs, and spices, which are used to add visual appeal and flavor to cocktails
Tips for stocking your bar
When stocking your bar, it’s important to focus on quality over quantity. Start with a few key spirits and build your collection from there. Look for versatile ingredients that can be used in multiple cocktails, and avoid buying ingredients that you’ll only use once.
Classic cocktail recipes
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that has been around since the mid-1800s. To make an Old Fashioned, you’ll need2 oz. bourbon or rye whiskey
1 sugar cube
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel
Muddle the sugar cube and bitters in a glass. Add ice and whiskey, and stir until well chilled. Garnish with an orange peel.
Martini
The Martini is another classic cocktail that has stood the test of time. To make a Martini, you’ll need2oz. gin or vodka
1 oz. dry vermouth
Lemon twist or olive for garnish
Add gin and vermouth to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled glass. Garn
Old Fashioned
Ingredient
2 oz whiskey
2 dashes bitters
1 sugar cube
Club soda
Orange pealing an Old Fashioned glass, muddle the sugar cube and bitters together.
Add a splash of club soda and swirl to dissolve the sugar.
Fill the glass with ice.
Add the whiskey and stir gently.
Express the oils from the orange peel over the top of the drink, then drop the peel in and serve.
Martini
Ingredients:
2 1/2 oz gin or vodka
1/2 oz dry vermouth
Lemon twist or olive, for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a mixing glass with ice.
Add the gin or vodka and dry vermouth.
Stir until well chilled.
Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist or olive and serve.
Manhattan
Ingredients:
2 oz whiskey
1 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes bitters
Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a mixing glass with ice.
Add the whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
Stir until well chilled.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a maraschino cherry and serve.
Margarita
Ingredients:
2 oz tequila
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz triple sec or Cointreau
Salt for rim
Lime wheel, for garnish
Instructions:
Rim a rocks glass with salt.
Fill the glass with ice.
In a shaker, combine the tequila, lime juice, and triple sec.
Shake until well chilled.
Strain into the prepared glass.
Garnish with a lime wheel and serve.
Daiquiri
Ingredients
2 oz rum
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Instructions
Fill a shaker with ice.
Add the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup.
Shake until well chilled.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Serve and enjoy!
F. Sidecar
Ingredients:
2 oz cognac or brandy
3/4 oz Cointreau
3/4 oz lemon juice
Lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions:
Rim a chilled cocktail glass with sugar.
Fill a shaker with ice.
Add the cognac or brandy, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
Shake until well chilled.
Strain into the prepared glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist and serve.
Modern cocktail recipes
While the classics are always a hit, sometimes you want something a little more contemporary. Here are a few modern cocktail recipes to try.
Espresso Martini
Ingredients
2 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur
1 oz fresh espresso
1/2 oz simple syrup
Instructions
Fill a shaker with ice.
Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, fresh espresso, and simple syrup.
Shake until well chilled.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Serve and enjoy!
French 75
Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
2 oz whiskey
2 dashes bitters
1 sugar cube
Club soda
Orange peel
Instructions:
In an Old Fashioned glass, muddle the sugar cube and bitters together.
Add a splash of club soda and swirl to dissolve the sugar.
Fill the glass with ice.
Add the whiskey and stir gently.
Express the oils from the orange peel over the top of the drink, then drop the peel in and serve.
Martini
Ingredients:
2 1/2 oz gin or vodka
1/2 oz dry vermouth
Lemon twist or olive, for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a mixing glass with ice.
Add the gin or vodka and dry vermouth.
Stir until well chilled.
Strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist or olive and serve.
Manhattan
Ingredients:
2 oz whiskey
1 oz sweet vermouth
2 dashes bitters
Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a mixing glass with ice.
Add the whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
Stir until well chilled.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish with a maraschino cherry and serve.
Margarita
Ingredients:
2 oz tequila
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz triple sec or Cointreau
Salt for rim
Lime wheel, for garnish
Instructions:
Rim a rocks glass with salt.
Fill the glass with ice.
In a shaker, combine the tequila, lime juice, and triple sec.
Shake until well chilled.
Strain into the prepared glass.
Garnish with a lime wheel and serve.
Daiquiri
Ingredients:
2 oz rum
1 oz lime juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Instructions:
Fill a shaker with ice.
Add the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup.
Shake until well chilled.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Serve and enjoy!
Sidecar
Ingredients:
2 oz cognac or brandy
3/4 oz Cointreau
3/4 oz lemon juice
Lemon twist, for garnish
Instructions:
Rim a chilled cocktail glass with sugar.
Fill a shaker with ice.
Add the cognac or brandy, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
Shake until well chilled.
Strain into the prepared glass.
Garnish with a lemon twist and serve.
Modern cocktail recipes
While the classics are always a hit, sometimes you want something a little more contemporary. Here are a few modern cocktail recipes to try.
Espresso Martini
Ingredients:
2 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur
1 oz fresh espresso
1/2 oz simple syrup
Instructions:
Fill a shaker with ice.
Add the vodka, coffee liqueur, fresh espresso, and simple syrup.
Shake until well chilled.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Serve and enjoy!
French 75
Ingredients:
2 oz gin
3/4 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
Champagne
Instructions:
Fill a shaker with ice.
Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
Shake well.
Strain into a chilled champagne flute.
Top with champagne.
Garnish with a lemon twist.
Negroni
The Negroni is a classic Italian cocktail that was invented in the early 1900s. It is a simple and delicious cocktail that is perfect for any occasion. It is made with gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
1 oz gin
1 oz Campari
1 oz sweet vermouth
Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a mixing glass with ice.
Add gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth to the mixing glass.
Stir well.
Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Garnish with an orange peel.
Aperol Spritz
The Aperol Spritz is a refreshing and light cocktail that is perfect for summer. It is made with Aperol, prosecco, and soda water. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
3 oz Aperol
3 oz prosecco
1 oz soda water
Orange slice for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a wine glass with ice.
Add Aperol and prosecco to the wine glass.
Top with soda water.
Stir gently.
Garnish with an orange slice.
D. Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is a classic cocktail that was invented in the 1940s. It is made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. Here’s how to make it
Ingredients:
2 oz vodka
4 oz ginger beer
1/2 oz lime juice
Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a copper mug with ice.
Add vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice to the copper mug.
Stir gently.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
Dark and Stormy
The Dark and Stormy is a classic cocktail that is perfect for those who enjoy a bold and spicy flavor. It is made with dark rum, ginger beer, and lime juice. Here’s how to make it
Ingredients
2 oz dark rum
4 oz ginger beer
1/2 oz lime juice
Lime wedge for
Conclusion:
In conclusion, cocktail-making can be a fun and rewarding hobby that allows you to experiment with different flavors and techniques. Whether you prefer classic cocktails or modern creations, there are endless possibilities for creating delicious drinks. more
