10 Classic Cocktail Recipes
“A list of easy to make classic cocktail recipes”
Nothing better than putting the feet up and sipping on a classic cocktail to relax both the body and mind. But let’s be honest we don’t always have to wait until we are on a tropical beach or fancy cocktail bar to enjoy the a good cocktail.
The sweet solutions team have put together 10 classic cocktail recipes that are easy to make for any party, after work-destress or summer afternoon. No need for a professional bartender or fancy bar just uses this cocktail recipe guide as your step by step to cocktail heaven.
Equipment needed to make these Classic Cocktails
So as you might of guessed the cocktails aren’t going to make themselves and yes you will need to get a few tools to make some of these tasty cocktails. We have made a list to get you going. It is however important to know that though these do make your life easier you should not be discouraged if you do not have everything needed for the cocktail you are trying to make. Often items in the kitchen such as sieves, pint glasses, spoons and a bit of ingenuity work wonders
- Cocktail Shaker: Not just practical but a lot of fun
- Shot measures: Not always necessary depending on your mood
- Strainer
- Blender
- Bar spoon
- Glasses: Size shape and style depend on the cocktail
- Garnishing knife
- Pug Muddler: Crushing utensil
Shake and Squeeze – Bartender’s secret to making great cocktails
Okay, so we going to let you in on a little trade secret here. There a many element’s that go into making a great cocktail but there are two golden rules when you are preparing your next favourite
Shake
That’s right, beyond just looking cool there is a real reason why mixologists and bartenders alike shake their ingredients when preparing a cocktail. Besides for just mixing the ingredients a good shake will activate and agitate all the ingredients. This is definitely a technique you want to adopt as the more flavour you have in your cocktail the better the taste!
Squeeze
Lime is to cocktails what salt is to food. And every bartender or mixologist worth his salt knows this trade secret. Lime serves as a taste enhancer and is used to round or smooth off the taste of any cocktail. So, if your cocktail is tasting a little flat add a squeeze of lime to liven up that dead aftertaste and add a needed zing to your cocktails. This concept holds true for Mojitos but instead of squeezing the mint leaves, give them a good slap to activate the minty freshness for your next cocktail.
How to Make a Pina Colada
- Fill a shaker with ice cubes.
- Add Malibu, coconut cream and pineapple juice.
- Shake and strain into a chilled highball glass filled with ice cubes.
Ingredients
- Pineapple Juice – 60 ml
- White Rum -30ml
- Coconut Cream – 60ml
- Brown Sugar – 1 tbsp
- Garnish
How to make a Strawberry Daquiri
- Combine all ingredients and 1 cup of Ice in a blender
- Blend until smooth and creamy, pour into serving glass, about ⅓ top with ice cream, if desired. Another layer of strawberry daiquiri followed by ice cream.
- If using fresh strawberries blend all the ingredients and serve in glass.
Ingredients
- Strawberry Juice – 60 ml
- White Rum -45ml
- Lime Juice – 15 ml
- Crushed Ice – 1 tbsp
- Garnish
How to make a Caipirinha
- Slice your lime. Cut it in half, then into quarters.
- Put the limes and sugar in a glass. It is preferable to use a rocks glass (aka a lowball glass)
- Muddle the sugar and lime.
- Add the ice.
- Add the cachaça and stir.
- Serve with the lime wedges in the drink.
Ingredients
- Half a lime
- White Rum -60ml
- Lime Juice – 15 ml
- Ice Cubes – 1 tbsp
- Garnish
How to make a tequila Sunrise
- Pour the tequila into a highball glass filled with ice and top up with fresh orange juice. Pour the grenadine in down the side of the glass so that it sinks to the bottom.
- Garish and Serve
Ingredients
- Half a lime
- Tequila -45 ml
- Orange Juice – 120 ml
- Grenadine – 30 mls
- Ice Cubes
- Garnish
How to Make a Dirty Martini?
- Pour the vodka, dry vermouth and olive brine into a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice and shake well.
- Rub the rim of a martini glass with the wedge of lemon.
- Strain the contents of the cocktail shaker into the glass and add the olive.
Ingredients
- Vermouth (15 ml)
- Vodka or Gin -75 ml
- Olive Juice – 15 ml
- Olive
How to Make a Long Island Iced Tea
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
- Add All ingredients into the shaker
- Shake until cold.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top up with cola/soda
- Garnish with a lemon slice.
Ingredients
- Splash of Soda
- Trile Sec – 30 ml
- Gin – 30 ml
- White Rum – 30 ml
- Tequila – 30 ml
- Vodka – 30 ml
- Sweet and Sour mix – 45ml
How to make a Bloody Mary
- Place the ice in a large jug. Measure the vodka, tomato juice and lemon juice and pour it straight onto the ice.
- Add 3 shakes of Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco (or more if you like it very spicy) and a pinch of celery salt and pepper. Stir until the outside of the jug feels cold, then strain the cocktail into 2 tall glasses.
- Top up with fresh ice, add a celery stick and lemon slice to both glasses and enjoy
Ingredients
- Celery
- Ground Black pepper/Salt
- Tomato Juice – 120 ml
- Vodka – 30 mls
- Ice Cubes
- Garnish
How to make a Mojito
- Muddle the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves in a small jug, crushing the mint as you go – you can use the end of a rolling pin for this. Pour into a tall glass and add a handful of ice.
- Pour over the rum, stirring with a long-handled spoon. Top up with soda water, garnish with mint and serve.
Ingredients
- Light Rum – 45 ml
- Simple Syrup – 30ml
- Mint Leaves
- Soda Water – 60 ml
- Ice Cubes
- Garnish
How to make a Blue Lagoon
- Put the ice cubes in a large jug. Pour over the curaçao, vodka, fruit juices and 1 tsp syrup from the cherries. Stir until the outside of the glass feels cold.
- Half-fill four hurricane glasses with crushed ice, then strain in the cocktail.
- Top up the glasses with the soda water and gently stir, then garnish with the maraschino cherries.
Ingredients
- Vodka
- Blue Curacuo – 25 ml
- Lemon Juice – 20 ml
- Lemonade – 25 mls
- Ice Cubes
- Garnish
How to make a Cosmopolitan
- Stir the ingredients and a little ice together or put them in a cocktail shaker to combine. Strain into two chilled martini glasses.
- Add an olive or orange peel to garnish.
Ingredients
- Suager Rim
- Vodka – 45 ml
- Cranberry Juice – 60 ml
- Triple Sec – 30 mls
- Garnish