Throwing a cocktail party is probably the coolest thing to do. If you love to experiment, dive into the world of mixology. You don’t have to be an expert to get it right – just follow the proportions and you’re all set.
Try one of these zesty drinks that only require a few steps to whip up at home. Best of all, you can make them with store-cupboard staples.
Vodka Lemonade Shake Up
INGREDIENTS
- 10 oz. Citrus Vodka
- 4 cup(s) Lemonade (Concentrate)
- 1 cup(s) Sugar
DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO PREPARE:
- Blend with ice and serve garnished with lemon or lime. (Liquid-ReaLemon mix works well for the frozen lemonade concentrate)
Classic Cocktail
A simple and subtle cocktail, perfect for sipping early in the season.
Rum and orange give it a festive brightness, while Lillet rouge (or vermouth) lends a bit of herbal complexity.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 ½ oz. aged rum
- ½ oz. Lillet rouge (or Dolin sweet vermouth)
- ½ oz. curacao½ oz. curacao
- Tools: mixing glass, barspoon, strainer
- Glass: coupe
- Garnish: orange twist
DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO PREPARE:
- Combine all ingredients in an ice-filled mixing glass.
- Stir and strain into a chilled coup
Tip: Have plenty of clean, clear, aged ice on hand. The key to success lies in stocking up loads of ice. The more rocks the merrier.
Chai Yai Yai
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tea bag chai tea
- 8 oz. hot water
- 3 oz. milk
- 1 oz. bourbon
- 1/4 oz. amaretto (an almond-flavored liqueur)
- 1/4 oz. Grand Marnier (an orange-flavored liqueur)
- Lemon wedge
- 3 whole cloves
DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO PREPARE:
- Brew tea in 8 ounces of hot water for three to four minutes. Remove tea bag.
- In a saucepan, combine the tea mixture and milk and simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Pour into a coffee mug. Add bourbon, amaretto and Grand Marnier. Stir briefly.
- Stud lemon wedge with the cloves and add to mixture.