Special Occasion? This calls for a Cocktail!

Cocktails for all occasions

There are some cocktails out there that are best saved for those big occasions; you know all the weddings, birthday parties and fancy shindigs you are all getting up to! Here in this list are 8 drinks that are best utilised for relaxing nights in with your friends or small cocktail soiree’s.

From simple build-a-spritzer combinations to slightly intricate shaken mixtures this list contains a healthy balance of both – not to mention everything in between.

We’ll start with relaxing events. So these would be times when you have friends over for a chilled out evening either with a film or generally have a good time…

Spiced Whisky Ale

Recipe:

50ml Whisky of your choice

125ml Fever Tree Ginger Ale

Method:

–          Build ingredients in a glass, over ice.

This cocktail is simple. Just pour the ingredients in a glass and enjoy. And that’s the whole point, relaxing cocktails are about putting a few ingredients together following a simple method allowing you to spend more time with your guests, and enjoy that time too.

New Yorker

Recipe:

50ml Vodka of your choice

125ml Cranberry Juice

Wedge of Lime

Method:

–          Build in a glass over ice.

–          Either drop in the lime wedge whole, or squeeze it in the drink before dropping it in.

This again is a very simple yet elegant drink. The cranberry juice is a perfect complement for the Vodka. With Smirnoff, Finlandia and other companies bringing out different flavoured vodkas, it might be worth finding one you like and trying it out. Finlandia Grapefruit works particularly well with this drink.

Pimms No.1 & Lemonade

Recipe:

50ml Pimms No.1

100ml Lemonade

Garnish: Orange slice, Cucumber slice, Strawberry, Mint Sprig.

Method:

–          Build the ingredients over ice in a tall glass.

–          Garnish with the above ingredients.

Of course Pimms cocktails are always better prepared as jugs/pitchers but for chilled evenings with friends sometimes a little intimacy is called for. There’s no trick involved in the garnish either, use a swizzle stick and mix the fruit in the drink – not only does this mix the garnishes up, but also mix the drink a bit better!

Spiced Ice-Tea

Recipe:

50ml Captain Morgans Spiced Gold Rum

125ml iced tea

Pinch Ground Cinnamon & Ground Nutmeg.

Method:

–          Combine the ingredients in a mixing glass over ice and stir well.

–          Strain into an ice filled Collins glass and serve with a straw.

This drink is a little more artsy, with the cinnamon and nutmeg making an appearance, but this drink could easily stand a test without them, should you not like the flavours. The iced tea recipe can be a basic recipe, but I find a standard tea works well, maybe an earl grey?

Mahiki Breeze

Recipe:

50ml Mahiki Coconut

10ml Spiced Gold Rum

80ml Cranberry Juice

35ml Grapefruit juice

Garnish: Lime wedge

Method:

–          In a cocktail shaker, combine all ingredients and shake well (until the shaker ices over).

–          Strain into a tall glass, half filled with ice.

–          Drop in the lime wedge, or squeeze in if preferred.

Rum and Citrus is an age old combination dating back to when people had the good sense and taste to drink them together. That’s right it’s an awesome mix and you should try this cocktail at your next party to prove my point. The Cranberry & Grapefruit juice compliment the rum and each other well, not to mention the coconut flavour of Mahiki blending in well too. This drink is shaken well before serving so it is both mixed well and chilled.

Gran Cran

Recipe:

25ml Grand Marnier

50ml Cranberry Juice

7ml Lime Juice

Method:

–          Shake the ingredients together over ice and strain into a tall glass filled with crushed ice.

–          Garnish with a lime wedge and serve with a straw.

A rather unusual use for Grand Marnier, but a cocktail that allows this fantastic spirit to shine is more than ok with me! Try this after food – it’s perfect for settling your stomach and helping cleanse your palate. Not to mention it tastes pretty darn good.

Archer Cooler

Recipe:

50ml Archers Peach schnapps

50ml Orange Juice

50ml Cranberry Juice

Method:

–          Combine the ingredients in a tall glass, over ice, and stir well to mix.

–          Serve with a straw

Holiday Schnapps

Recipe:

50ml Archers Peach Schnapps

125ml Pineapple Juice

7ml Lime Juice

Method:

–          Build the ingredients in a tall glass, over ice.

–          Garnish with a lime wedge and serve with straws.

This cocktail is as refreshing as they come, blending the peach schnapps with pineapple juice helps bring back those long forgotten summer holidays of old. The Lime adds a crisp finish to a very refreshing drink. This versatile is perfect for cocktail parties or just quiet nights in.

So there you go, 8 cocktails for you to use at any parties/occasions you deem them relevant. But remember they are best suited for relaxing events; BBQ’s, Soiree’s, and general evenings in with your mates.

N.B.the recipes in this post are from, or inspired by, recipes on www.uk.thebar.com and the pictures are partly taken from the same website as well as others (including this iced-tea recipe from Sensibiliteas). Recipes that differ from those on the first website have been tweaked or changed by myself and myself alone. Enjoy them responsibly folks!

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