Making your first mixed cocktail might seem daunting. However, there are lots of online resources, such as Absolutdrinks.com which shows you how to make a beautiful chic and classic espresso martini, to help you get started and find recipes. Once you have the basics down, you can experiment with different flavors and ingredients to create your unique drinks.
One of the most important things to remember when making mixed drinks is to use fresh, quality ingredients. This will make all the difference in the taste of your drink. Be sure to also use a measuring tool like a jigger or shot glass to get the proportions of each ingredient just right.
Here are some basic recipes to help you get started!
The Classic Margarita
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces tequila
- 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
- 3/4 ounce triple sec or other orange liqueur
- 1 lime wedge for garnish
Directions
- Combine the tequila, lime juice, and triple sec in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a glass rimmed with salt.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!
The Cosmopolitan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 1/2 ounce cranberry juice
- 1/4 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/4 ounce triple sec or other orange liqueur
- Lime wedge for garnish
Directions:
- Combine the vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and triple sec in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy!
The Old Fashioned
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes bitters
- Splash of water
- Orange peel for garnish
Directions
- Combine the sugar cube, bitters, and splash of water in a glass.
- Muddle until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the bourbon or rye and stir.
- Garnish with an orange peel and enjoy!
The Mojito
Ingredients
- 2 ounces white rum
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1-ounce simple syrup
- 10 mint leaves
- Soda water
- Lime wedge for garnish
Directions
- Combine the rum, lime juice, simple syrup, and mint leaves in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top off with soda water and garnish with a lime wedge. Enjoy!
The Bloody Mary
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces vodka
- 3 ounces tomato juice
- 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
- 1 dash of hot sauce
- Garnishes: celery, olives, lemon wedge
Directions
- Combine the vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce in a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with celery, olives, and a lemon wedge, and enjoy!
Drinking Responsibly
If you’re new to making drinks, chances are you might also be wondering about how much alcohol to include in a recipe. Generally speaking, most mixed drinks contain one to two ounces of liquor. However, there are some variations. For example, a martini typically contains two to three ounces of liquor.
Of course, it’s important to always drink responsibly and know your limits. Be sure to pace yourself and follow the CDC guidelines for safe drinking. Have fun, and remember to always drink responsibly! Cheers!