Making cocktails is not rocket science and with a bit of practice, you too could start making cocktails at home. It might come as a surprise that some of the most affordable cocktails can be found in liquor stores near you or get them when you buy alcohol online delivery.
Instead of spending a fortune this festive season, why not make cocktails at home and invite a couple of friends or family. Here is a list of ten easy and simple cocktails you can make at home.
Mint Julep
Ingredients:
- 50ml whiskey (or rum)
- Two teaspoons caster sugar (you could replace it with regular sugar or Gomme syrup)
- Four mint sprigs
- Some crushed ice
- Soda water (optional)
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Method:
- Mix the crushed ice, mint sprigs, and caster sugar
- Massage the mixture gently using a spoon
- The caster will sugar help to bring out the flavor of the mint
- If you are breaking or crush the mint, they will end up having a sour taste. This is why you have to fold and stir gently
- Pour in 25ml of rum, some more crushed ice and continue the ‘massage’
- Fill the glass with ice, add in the second 25ml of rum and finally add a dash of soda (optional)
The Vesper
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces gin
- 5 ounces vodka
- 25 ounces Lillet Blonde
- Lemon peel for garnishing
Method:
- Mix all the ingredients and shake over ice before straining into a glass
- Garnish with lemon peel
White Russian
Ingredients:
- 1.75 ounces vodka
- 1 ounces cream or whole milk
- 75 ounces coffee liqueur
Method:
- Put some ice cubes into an old fashioned glass and fill to the brim
- Add the coffee liqueur and vodka
- Float the whole milk or cream on top and stir
Aperol Spritz
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces Prosecco
- 2 ounces Aperol
- 1-ounce soda water
- An orange wedge for garnish
Method:
- Build over a glass to the brim with ice cubes
- Top it up with soda water
- Garnish with the orange wedge
Sidecar
Ingredients:
- Cognac or brandy
- Orange liqueur or Cointreau
- Lemon juice
Method:
- Twist the rim of your coupe on a plate of sugar, so that is attached to the glass’s rim
- Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with some ice and shake until adequately chilled
- Strain into the sugar-rimmed coupe and garnish with the orange peel
Gimlet
Ingredients:
- Gin or vodka
- Rose’s lime juice (or freshly squeezed lime juice)
Method:
- Mix the ingredients and shake well with cracked ice
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Old Fashioned
Ingredients:
- 1.5 ounces bourbon
- 2 or 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- A sugar cube
- An orange slice for garnish
Method:
- Put sugar cube into an Old Fashioned glass and soak with the bitters
- Muddle until it’s dissolved
- You can add a few drops of water if necessary
- Add a large ice cube and bourbon
- Garnish with an orange slice and cherry
Moscow Mule
Ingredients
- 1.5 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- 25 ounces lime juice
- Lime wedge for garnish
Method
- Add vodka, ginger beer in an ice-filled copper mug
- Pour in the lime juice, stir, and use the lime wedge as a garnish
- Serve
Raspberry Gin
Ingredients:
- 300g raspberries
- 100g sugar
- 700ml bottle of gin
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Method
- Tip the raspberries and add sugar into a 1.5 liter sterilized jar
- Pour over the gin, seal the jar airtight and carefully swirl around to dissolve all the sugar
- Store in a cool place and swirl the jar at least once per day for one week
- After 2 or 3 weeks, strain the gin using a sieve
- Pour the gin into small bottles, and label
- The gin will maintain a vibrant pink color for a few months and will be drinkable for at least a year
- Use the boozy raspberries to make cocktails
Sloe Gin Cocktail
Ingredients:
- 50ml sloe gin
- 25ml gin
- 25ml lemon juice
- 2 tsp sugar syrup
- Crushed ice or ice cubes
Method:
- Mix the gin, sloe gin, lemon juice, crushed ice and the sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker
- Shake and strain into a glass with ice cubes
- Serve immediately
Conclusion
Most people would rather sit at a bar and order a stream of cocktails. However, knowing how to whip up different cocktails will make you a star at your office party at the end of the year. With that said, it will take time to get the perfect mix for your taste buds.