How to Cheat at Elegant Cocktails
Create Delicious Mixed Drinks to Impress Your Guests
With a simple shopping list, and five minutes of time even a beginner can whip up tantalizing beverages for the perfect cocktail hour.
You don't have to be a bartender to impress your guests with divine beverages. With a few core alcohol selections a wide variety of designer drinks can be as easy as shaking a tumbler.
What You Need to Buy at the Store
To get the most bang for your buck, and have the most options you need to pick up a few bottles from the local liquor store. The good news is, you don't have to spend big money on top shelf liquor. A common misconception is that brand name in liquor is imperative, but the truth is, when used with mixtures the quality doesn't have to be top notch. When serving alcohol straight up, or on the rocks, quality is a lot more relevant. When using garnishes and flavorful additives you can skimp and go unnoticed.
For the following recipes you need a bottle of Irish Cream. Emmett's Brand is comparable to Bailey's and about half the cost. A coffee flavored liquor like Cafe' Lolita, a solid mixing vodka like Burnett's and a lower end amaretto like Amarito should also be on the shopping list. Grab a lower end whiskey with a good reputation like Jim Beam. For mixers you will need half and half, ginger ale, sour mix, a jar of maraschino cherries and chocolate syrup. For glassware expect to use martini glasses and rocks glasses.
Mocha Dream Martini Recipe
This is the ultimate martini. Creamy, smooth and with a finish that tastes more like dessert and less like alcohol, sure to please even the non-drinking crowd. In a tumbler, or a pitcher mix 3 ounces half and half with one ounce each of coffee flavored liquor and vodka. Add two ounces of Irish cream. Drizzle the inside of a chilled martini glass with chocolate syrup. Shake the mixture up over ice until the tumbler feels freezing cold to the touch, and strain into the martini glass.
Chocolate Covered Cherry Drink Recipe
With the above recipe, add 1/2 ounce of amaretto for a burst of cherry flavor. Pierce a maraschino cherry with a stirring straw to keep it from sinking, and lean it against the rim of the glass. For less serious drinkers, feel free to eliminate the vodka from either of these drinks and substitute with more Irish cream. It's easy on the palette and has a lower alcohol content by volume.
Creamy Russian Drink Recipe
A gentle twist on the standard White Russian is to eliminate the vodka and sub Irish cream. Mix Irish cream and coffee flavored liqueur with half and half, serve over ice in a rocks glass. For an extra special touch, rim the glass in chocolate syrup before serving.
Gentleman Friendly Cocktail
Over ice drizzle about a teaspoon of maraschino cherry juice. Add two ounces of Jim Beam, and top with ginger ale. Garnish with a cherry. This is a refreshing and contemporary twist on the classic Beam and Coke.
Amaretto Sour
An Amaretto Sour is one of the easiest mixed drinks to construct, and it is nearly unisex in its appeal. In the bottom of a rocks glass, pour two ounces of amaretto. Top with sour mix, do not stir. This gives the drink a layered appearance. Add a cherry and a splash of cherry juice for garnish, serve over ice.
These four drink recipes are simple, delicious and sure to please a varied crowd. With proper presentation your get together at home can rival the most cosmopolitan bars with contemporary and exotic flavors. For help with elegant desserts to served during cocktail hour, check out How to Fake a Perfect Dessert. and don't miss How to Cheat with Fancy Appetizers.
