Top 10 Cocktail Recipes
There are just hundreds of cocktails, probably thousands and although they fall in to four categories cream based, shot based, fruit based and non-alcoholic. We at CookeryClub thought we’d make our own list, of the most popular and tastiest cocktails with a good balance for everyone.
1 Margarita
A Tequila based cocktail, shaken with Cointreau and fresh lime or lemon juice, served in a cocktail glass with a salted rim
It has been told the ‘Margarita” was invented by Margarita Sames in Acapolco around the late 40’s
A Margarita can be blended in many ways with many varied ingredients. You can shake it with ice, serve frozen with crushed ice or blend it with fresh fruit.
Tequila is processed from the blue Agave plant and comes in silver – recommended for a Margaritta or gold - the aged variety. Mescal is the one with the worm in the bottom.
To salt a rim, rub the edge with a fresh lemon or lime half and dip in to a saucer of salt, rolling round till coated – try coating just half the glass so the drinker has the choice which side to drink out of. If salt is too much, try 50/50 – half salt half caster sugar.
2 Pina Colada
A rum based cocktail served in a tall glass often garnished with pineapple and a cherry (very Del boy). Shake light rum with coconut cream and pineapple juice, serve over crushed ice.
Invented by a Spaniard Ricardo when working in Puerto Rico in the 50’s. Pina Colada simply translates to strained pineapple.
For a virgin Pina Colada omit the rum. My versions a Zena Colada is shaken with the added bonus of coconut liquor.
3 Mai Tai
A rum based fruity cocktail served in a long glass filled with ice cubes.
Invented by Victor Bergon, nick named Trader Vic’s in the USA around the mid 40’s.
The original was made using 60 ml dark rum, 15 ml Curacao, 15 ml oreate syrup (almond based), 10 ml candy syrup and the juice of one lime.
The perfect summer, feel good cocktail.
4 Daiquiri
A Rum based cocktail served in a cocktail glass or blended with a variety of fresh fruits. A Daiquiris origin stems from Havana, named after a Cuban river. Hemmingway made this cocktail world famous. A basic Daiquiri is shaken over ice with 60 ml light rum, 30 ml fresh lime juice and 1 teaspoon sugar syrup
5 Bloody Mary
A spiced vodka based drink, stirred with tomato juice and garnished with a celery stick. The perfect drink before a civilised dinner.
The history stems back to the 20’s, first made by an American bartender in Paris called Fernand Petiot.
For a good and spicy Mary use double quantity juice (120 ml) to vodka (60 ml) poured over ice spiced with a few drops of Tabasco, a dash of fresh lemon juice, half teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and if you fancy season with freshly ground black pepper and salt. Variations include adding horseradish, limejuice, chilli vodka, fresh chilli, dill pickle and celery sticks but not all together.
6 B52
So named after the American Boeing aeroplanes the B-52’s, flown in the Second World War.
Make it by adding 1 shot Kahula in the bottom of a shot glass, followed by a shot of Baileys – poured on slowly from the back of a spoon, then in the same way the Grande Marnier is placed on top, leaving a three layered shot cocktail. Smooth to sip and good to swig
7 Julep
A mint crushed sweetened bourbon, although you can get many varieties of Juleps using many different alcoholic drinks try vodka, Sherry, light Rum, Whiskey or snap’s – just make your own variety.
A long time ago an Arabic drink of rose petals blended with water was popular, the Mediterranean’s replaced the rose for mint. But its popularity stems from Virginia USA, where they muddle several mint leaves with a teaspoon of sugar and a touch of water to bring out the minty-ness and then pour on a good measure of Bourbon, the glass is then filled with crushed ice
8 Banana Blender
A fruity blended drink of fresh bananas, Blue Curacao, Cointreau and cream. A good fruity creamy fun drink garnished with over the top fruit on sticks, etc
There are many variations on a Banana Bender. A Banana Banshee is very similar with an equal mix of banana liquor, White Crème de Cacao and cream, shaken over ice. A screaming Banana Banshee is made by adding vodka to the above.
9 Eggnog
A beautifully warming wintry creamy drink. Made with egg yolks whisked together over a Bain Marie with sugar and alcohol till thick, creamy and cooked.
Eggnog history is rooted in East Anglia, England - probably derived from the medieval posset. It later became a drink for the upper classes to toast good health. It has become popular in America around Christmas time, in Puerto Rico they use rum and call it a Coquito and in Germany they make it with Beer but you can make it with sherry, Beer, Rum, Whiskey, Fruit Liquor, Madeira, Wine or anything else you can think of.
10 Pimms
Anyone for Pimms? The classic British summer drink. Originates from London invented by James Pimm in the 1840’s known then as Pimm’s No 1 cup – cup meaning a Tankard and originally it was made with Gin as some recipes these days often contain. A basic Pimms is made from stirring Pimms and lemonade together with sliced apples, orange and occasionally lemon half slices and sometimes halved hulled strawberries with a good hand full of mint leaves. Today it is made in a large jug for all to enjoy and is a great cocktail for a summer B.B.Q. For a varied Pimms add a few shots of Gin and some ginger ale to the basic recipe.