Cocktails are an essential part of any celebration, be it a birthday party, a wedding, or a simple get-together with friends. They add a touch of sophistication and fun to any event and can be tailored to suit any taste or occasion.
In this article, we will explore some classic and innovative cocktail recipes that are sure to impress your guests at your next celebration.
Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned cocktail is a classic drink that has been around for over a century. It is made with bourbon or rye whiskey, sugar, bitters, and water, with a twist of citrus rind and a maraschino cherry garnish.
Ingredients
- 60ml bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 orange twist
Directions
- In a rocks glass, add the sugar and bitters and stir to dissolve the sugar.
- Add a large ice cube to the glass.
- Pour the whiskey over the ice and stir to combine.
- Garnish with an orange twist.
Manhattan
The Manhattan cocktail is a classic cocktail that has been popular since the late 1800s. This easy cocktail is typically made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, and is usually garnished with a maraschino cherry.
Ingredients
- 60ml whiskey (rye or bourbon)
- 30ml sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
Directions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters to the mixing glass.
- Stir well for 30 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Margarita
The Margarita cocktail is a popular tequila-based cocktail that is typically made with tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur. It is usually served in a salt-rimmed glass and can be served either straight up or over ice.
Ingredients
- 60ml tequila
- 30ml lime juice
- 15ml triple sec
- Salt for rim (optional)
- Lime wedge for garnish
Directions
- Rim a chilled glass with salt (optional).
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add the tequila, lime juice, and triple sec to the cocktail shaker.
- Shake well for 10-15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into the glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Mojito
The Mojito is a refreshing cocktail that originated in Cuba. It is made with white rum, sugar, lime juice, mint leaves, and soda water. The combination of sweet, sour, and minty flavours makes it a perfect drink for hot weather.
Ingredients
- 60ml white rum
- 30ml lime juice
- 75ml simple syrup
- 6-8 fresh mint leaves
- Club soda
Directions
- In a shaker, muddle the mint leaves with the simple syrup.
- Add the rum and lime juice to the shaker and fill it with ice.
- Shake well for 10-15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda.
- Garnish with a sprig of mint.
Daiquiri
The classic Daiquiri cocktail is a simple and classic cocktail that originated in Cuba. It is made with rum, lime juice, and simple syrup, and is typically served chilled and straight up in a martini or coupe glass.
Ingredients
- 60ml white rum
- 30ml lime juice
- 75ml simple syrup
Directions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Shake well for 10-15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled glass.
Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan, also known as a “Cosmo,” is a popular cocktail that became famous in the 1990s thanks to its frequent appearances on the television show “Sex and the City”. It is typically made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice. The drink is usually served chilled and straight up in a martini glass.
Ingredients
- 75ml vodka
- 30ml cranberry juice
- 15ml lime juice
- 15ml triple sec
- Orange twist for garnish
Directions
- Fill a shaker with ice.
- Add the vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and triple sec to the shaker.
- Shake well for 10-15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with an orange twist.
Moscow Mule
The Moscow Mule is a popular easy cocktail recipe made with vodka, ginger beer, and lime juice. The drink is usually served in a copper mug and garnished with a lime wedge.
Ingredients
- 60ml vodka
- 120ml – 180ml ginger beer
- 15ml lime juice
- Lime wedge, for garnish
- Ice
Directions
- Fill a copper mug (or glass of your choice) with ice.
- Add vodka and lime juice to the mug and stir to combine.
- Top with ginger beer and stir again.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and serve.
Bloody Mary
The Bloody Mary is one of the classic cocktails that is typically served as a brunch drink. It is made with vodka, tomato juice, and a variety of spices and flavourings. The drink is usually garnished with a celery stalk, but other garnishes like olives, pickles, and bacon are also commonly used.
Ingredients
- 60ml vodka
- 120ml tomato juice
- 15ml lemon juice
- Worcestershire sauce, to taste
- Tabasco sauce, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Celery stalk, for garnish
- Lemon twist, for garnish
- Ice
Directions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt, and pepper to the glass.
- Stir to combine.
- Garnish with a celery stalk and lemon wedge and serve.
Mai Tai
The Mai Tai is a tropical cocktail that originated in Polynesia and became popular in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s. It is typically made with rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, and orgeat syrup. The drink is usually served in a tiki-style glass and garnished with a sprig of mint and a slice of lime.
Ingredients
- 60ml rum
- 30ml lime juice
- 15ml orange curaçao
- 7.5ml orgeat syrup
- 7.5ml simple syrup
- Pineapple wedge, for garnish
- Mint sprig, for garnish
- Crushed ice
Directions
- Fill a shaker with crushed ice.
- Add rum, lime juice, orange curaçao, orgeat syrup, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Shake vigorously until well chilled.
- Strain into a glass filled with crushed ice.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge and mint sprig and serve.
Negroni
The Negroni is a classic gin cocktail that originated in Italy in the early 20th century. It is typically made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari, and is garnished with an orange peel.
Ingredients
- 30ml gin
- 30ml sweet vermouth
- 30ml Campari
- Orange peel, for garnish
- Ice
Directions
- Fill a mixing glass with ice.
- Add gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari to the glass.
- Stir until well chilled.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with an orange peel and serve.
Pina Colada
The Piña Colada is a popular tropical cocktail that originated in Puerto Rico. This fruity drink is typically made with rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, and is usually served blended with ice or shaken and served over ice. The creamy drink is often garnished with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry.
Ingredients
- 60ml rum
- 90ml pineapple juice
- 60ml coconut cream
- Pineapple wedge, for garnish
- Cherry, for garnish
- Ice
Directions
- Fill a blender with ice.
- Add rum, pineapple juice, and coconut cream to the blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry and serve.
Kombi Keg For Your Next Cocktail Party
Looking for a fun and easy way to serve cocktails at your next party or event? Fill up a Kombi Keg! Our versatile kegs can be used for a variety of beverages, including cocktails.
Explore our website today to learn more about our unique mobile bar solution and how they can add a unique touch to any gathering. With our easy-to-use keg system, you’ll be able to serve up delicious cocktails with ease.
Don’t settle for boring drinks at your next event – order your Kombi Keg today and take your cocktail game to the next level!