COCKTAILS "TOP 20"

What is a cocktail?

The modern definition of a cocktail is at least two ingredients which have been shaken or stirred together, and served in a tall or short glass.

To make an interesting range of cocktails it is best to keep a basic store cupboard. Whilst there is no need to spend large amount; investment in bottled stock might include the following: Grenadine, Bourbon, Cherry brandy, Cognac, Kahlua, Malibu, Cointreau, Crème de cassis, Crème de menthe, melon liqueur, rum light and dark, Tequila, Vermouth- dry and sweet, Vodka and Whisky. Smaller bottles and other liqueurs can be bought later as required.

Keep a range of mixers and seasonings handy to be able to make a variety of drinks. The following are the most basic: coconut cream, grapefruit, orange, pineapple and tomato juices, tropical fruit juices, mineral water, lemonade and tonic water which can all be kept refrigerated. Then to garnish : olives, cherries,

Lemons, salt, celery salt, grated nutmeg, ground cinnamon sticks, oranges, cucumber, celery, mint, Tabasco and Worcestershire sauces, Angostura bitters, orange flower water.

The Right Equipment

Having the right equipment makes preparing a cocktail easy.

Cocktail Shaker

Strainer

Mixing glass

Blender

Measures

A standard measure is one sixth of a gill or slightly less than one fluid ounce or 25-30 millilitres.

A dash is simply the quantity released from a quick spurt from the bottle.

Recipes

Pink Lady

2 msrs. Gin

4 dashes of Grenadine

1 dash of egg white

White Lady

1 msrs. Gin

½ msrs. Cointreau

Juice of half a lemon

1 dash of egg white

Strawberry Dawn

1 msrs. Gin

1 msrs. Coconut cream

3 strawberries

Crushed ice

Harvey Wallbanger

1 msrs. Vodka

1 msrs. Galliano

Orange juice

Slice of orange

Bloody Mary

¼ msrs. Lemon juice

2 drops of Tabasco sauce

1 dash of Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper

2 msrs. Vodka

Ice cubes

Celery stick

Celery salt and lemon juice to frost the glass. Mix lemon juice, Tabasco sauce and Worcestershire sauce in celery salt frosted glass; add salt and pepper to taste. Add Vodka and ice cubes. Top with tomato juice and stir well. Serve with a stick of celery ( White Rum, Gin, Tequila or Akvavit can be used instead of Vodka)

Sangria

2 tablespoons of caster sugar

Juice of 1 lemon

Juice of 1 orange

1 orange thinly sliced

1 lemon thinly sliced

1 lime thinly sliced

Ice cubes

1 bottle red wine chilled

Mix sugar, lemon and orange juice in a large pitcher until the sugar has dissolved.

Add sliced fruit, wine and plenty of ice and stir well. Serve in large wine glasses.

Margarita

Lemon juice and coarse salt for frosting

1 ½ msrs. Tequila

1 msrs. Lemon or lime juice

½ msrs. Triple sec or Cointreau

Cracked ice

Slice of lemon

Wedge of lime

Wipe rim of glass with lemon juice and dip in salt to frost. Combine Tequila, triple sec or Cointreau, Lemon or lime juice and ice in a shaker and mix well. Strain into a glass and garnish with a slice of lemon and wedge of lime.

Bucks fizz

Orange juice

1 dash of Grenadine, if desired

Chilled champagne

slice of lime

Fill glass one third full with orange juice. Add Grenadine. Top with champagne and garnish with slice of lime

Stinger

cracked ice

2/3 msrs. Brandy

1/3 msrs. White crème de menthe

Mix ice with Brandy and crème de menthe In shaker. Strain into Brandy glass or serve on the “rocks"

Between The Sheets

Cracked ice

¾ msrs. Rum

¾ msrs. Triple sec

¾ msrs. Brandy

Juice of ½ a lemon

Twist of lemon or lime peel

Mix ice with Rum, Triple Sec, and Brandy and lemon juice in shaker. Strain into Martini glass and garnish with a twist of lemon or lime peel

Pina Colada

Cracked ice

1 ½ msrs. Light Rum

1 msrs. Pineapple juice

1 msrs. Coconut milk

½ msrs. Cream

1 maraschino cherry

Piece of pineapple

1 hollowed out coconut, if desired

Combine the ice with Rum, pineapple juice, coconut milk and cream in shaker. Shake until frosty. Strain into hollowed out coconut, or large glass. Garnish with cherry and pineapple. Serve with a straw.

Silver Streak

1 ½ msrs. Gin

1 msrs.Kummel

Ice cubes

Pour Gin and Kummel over ice cubes in tumbler and stir

Manhattan (DRY)

Ice cubes

1 ½ msrs. Canadian Whiskey

¾ msrs. Dry Vermouth

1 or 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

1 olive

Knot of lemon peel

Stir ice with Whiskey, Vermouth and Bitters. Strain into Martini glass. Spear olive with cocktail pick and balance on edge of glass. Add knot of lemon peel

Manhattan (SWEET)

Ice cubes

1 ½ msrs. Canadian Whiskey

¾ msrs. Sweet Vermouth

1 dash Angostura Bitters

1 maraschino cherry

Knot of lemon peel

Stir ice with Whiskey, Vermouth and Bitters. Strain into Martini glass. Spear cherry with cocktail pick and balance on edge of glass. Add knot of lemon peel

Rusty Nail

1 ½ msrs. Whiskey

1 ½ msrs. Drambuie

Ice cubes

Strip of lemon peel

Pour Whiskey and Drambuie onto ice in tumbler. Add strip of lemon peel to garnish

Screwdriver

1 ½ msrs. Vodka

2 ice cubes

Orange juice

1 maraschino cherry

Slice of orange

Pour Vodka over the ice cubes in a high ball glass. Fill with orange juice. Garnish with cherry and slice of orange. Serve with a straw

Black Russian

3 msrs. Vodka

1 msrs. Kahlua

Ice cubes

Pour Vodka and kahlua over ice-filled glass

Nursery Fizz

Orange juice

Ginger ale

Ice cubes

Slice of orange

1 coloured cherry

Pour equal parts of orange juice and ginger ale over ice in large wine glass. Garnish with orange and cherry. Serve with straws

Brown Cow

1 msrs.kahlua

4 msrs. Milk

Ice cubes

Grated nutmeg

Pour Kahlua and milk over ice in a tall glass and mix well. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Mango Bellini

Mango juice

Chilled champagne

Slice of mango

Fill champagne glass one third full with mango juice. Top with champagne. Stir gently. Decorate with slice of mango

Now you can feel confident to host your very own cocktail party, a party where everyone feels comfortable and all guests are easier entertained. A party where you can experiment with the recipes and most likely no one will notice. So grab your cocktail dress girl what are you waiting for?