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!
The Fervent Shaker 