We don’t need countless ingredients to concoct our favorite libations. Of course, there are ready to drink beers and too-easy-to-make alcohol-mixer beverages. But cocktails, which can look as complicated as they are beautiful, can be prepared conveniently as well.
The summer heat can rouse our laziest selves, so if you’re not in the mood to go outside but still want a cocktail, here are some recipes you should keep in your heart.
Gin drinks
Martini
Ingredients: 2 oz. dry gin, 1 oz. dry vermouth, 1 dash orange bitters (optional, but highly recommended.
Procedure: Combine ingredients in a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir well to chill and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Twist a piece of lemon peel over the drink and use as garnish, or toss in an olive.
Negroni
Ingredients: 1 oz. dry gin, 1 oz. Campari, 1 oz. sweet vermouth
Procedure: If you want it on the rocks, combine the ingredients in an old-fashioned glass filled with ice then stir to combine. Twist a thin piece of orange peel over the drink for aromatics and use as garnish.
If you want it straight up, combine the ingredients in a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir for 20 seconds, and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Auld Draper
Ingredients: 2 oz. dry gin, 3/4 oz. Byrrh, 3 dashes orange bitters
Procedure: Add the ingredients to a mixing glass. Fill 2/3 full with ice. Stir until well chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with orange peel.
Whiskey drinks
Manhattan
Ingredients: 2 oz. rye whiskey, 1 oz. sweet vermouth, 2 dashes Angostura bitters
Procedure: Combine ingredients in mixing glass filled with ice and stir until chilled, about 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with brandied cherry.
Gold Rush
Ingredients: 2 oz. bourbon whiskey, 3/4 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice, 3/4 oz. honey syrup (1 cup water + 1 cup honey heated over medium heat until honey is dissolved)
Procedure: Combine ingredients in an ice-filled shaker. Shake until well chilled, about 10 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled old-fashioned glass.
Blushing Betty
Ingredients: 1 oz. fresh pink grapefruit juice, 1 1/2 oz. bourbon whiskey, 1/2 oz. simple syrup (1 cup water + 1 cup sugar heated over medium heat until honey is dissolved)
Procedure: Fill a cocktail shaker 2/3 full with ice. Add ingredients and shake vigorously until well chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain into ice-filled glass and garnish with grapefruit wedge if desired.
Vodka drinks
Moscow Mule
Ingredients: 1/2 a lime, 2 oz. vodka, 4 to 6 oz. chilled ginger beer
Procedure: Squeeze lime into a glass or copper mug and drop in the spent lime shell. Fill glass with ice and add vodka. Top with chilled ginger beer to taste.
Great Gatsby
Ingredients: 1 oz. vodka, 1 oz. Lillet Blanc, 2 1/2 oz. freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
Procedure: Fill a mixing glass halfway with ice. Add the ingredients and stir until cold. Strain into ice-filled glass. Garnish with orange slice.
Featured image courtesy of Unsplash
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