I don’t know about you but I don’t need much of an excuse to throw a good cocktail party. The creativity, the new and interesting flavours, and the bonding amongst party guests as their drink suggestions make less and less sense but their faces get more and more happy. That’s usually how anything I label a ‘cocktail party’ ends up anyway. (I really should mention you should ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY)
There is no doubt they are indisputably more fun than your average gathering; forget all this ‘bring a bottle/bring a crate round and we’ll watch the footy/cricket/Wimbledon’, where’s the imagination in that? We (yes I may be speaking mainly for the ladies here) would definitely have a more thrilling time discovering the taste sensation of a new cocktail than having to endure the sight of Rooney hitting that crossbar AGAIN.
Cocktails are made for the summertime, so grab your friends, a sunny afternoon and a random mix of spirits and mixers, and see what creations you can shake up! Below are some suggestions to try and please a variety of tastes; I REALLY wish I could say I had tried and tested them all for you, but that would have probably killed me off for the rest of the Summer, and this post would have never been written!
Before you throw your party you may want to prepare/invest in a shaker, a strainer, a range of cocktail glasses, a grater and bar spoon…. and possibly some funky straws depending on the audience.
Contents
If they want Fruity and Refreshing…
Pimms & Ginger (easy peasy and great for Wimbledon season)
– 2 measures of Pimm`s
– 2 measure of Ginger Beer
– 2 measures of Lemonade
– 1 slice of Cucumber
– 1 slice of Lemon
– 1 slice of Orange
– 1 slice of strawberry
– Fresh Mint
Mix the Pimms, Ginger Beer and Lemonade – then throw in the fruit and garnish with mint!
Fruity Vodka Cup
– 50ml Vodka
– 5 Strawberries
– 20ml Vanilla Syrup
– 150ml Cranberry Juice
Mash the strawberries in the bottom of the glass, add the vodka and vanilla syrup, add crushed ice and stir. Top up with Cranberry Juice.
Captain Hurricane
– 25ml Spiced Rum
– 25ml Original Rum
– 5ml Grenadine
– 50ml Orange Juice
– 50ml Pineapple Juice
– 1 slice of strawberry
Pour everything except the strawberry into a shaker over ice, shake vigorously, serve and garnish with strawberry.
If they have a sweet tooth…..
Chocolate Guinness (yes, you read right: chocolate and Guinness. If you have some guinness leftover check out our espresso version further down)
– 35ml Vodka
– 25ml Crème De Mure
– 235ml (half a can) Guinness Draught in a can
– 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream
– Sprinkling of Nutmeg
– 2 cardamom pods
Squash the cardamom pods into the bottom of a glass, then pour in the vodka and crème de mure, before filling to the top with the guiness. Stir thoroughly then add two scoops of ice cream to the top of the drink, and finally sprinkle with nutmeg!
White Russian
– 50ml Vodka
– 25ml Irish Coffee Liqueur
– 50ml Cream
– Sprinkle of Nutmeg
Pour the vodka and liqueur into a shaker and shake until cold, pour into a glass over ice. Top up with the cream and sprinkle nutmeg on top. (Advisory notice: do not drink multiple white Russians and then dance/jump around; it will not end well for anyone, or anyone’s carpet)
If they want it strong…
Whisky Sour
– 50ml Scotch Whisky
– 25ml Lemon Juice
– 17.5ml Sugar syrup
– 1 egg white
– 1 wedge of lemon
Pour the whisky, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white into the shaker with ice. Shake until cold, then serve with a garnish of lemon.
Mai Tai
– 35ml Original Rum
– 10ml Grand Marnier
– 25ml Lime Juice
– 10ml Orgeat Syrup
– 50ml Pineapple Juice
– 1 wedge of orange
Pour the rum, grand marnier, lime juice, orgeat and pineapple juice into a shaker with ice and shake until cold. Pour over a glass with ice and garnish with orange wedge.
Tom Collins (with a twist)
– 45ml Vodka (preferably Ketel One)
– 25ml Lemon Juice
– 15ml Orange Liqueur
– 15ml Sugar Syrup
– 30ml soda water
– 1 brandied cherry
Pour the vodka, lemon juice, orange liqueur and sugar syrup into a shaker with ice. Shake until cold and pour into a glass over ice. Top up with soda water and garnish with brandied cherry.
If you want to get super creative….
Guinness Espresso
– 50ml Guiness Draught in a can
– 25ml Original Rum
– 25ml Espresso Flavoured Vodka
– 15ml Dark Crème De Cacao Liqueur
– 3 chocolate coated coffee beans
Pour all ingredients except the coffee beans into a shaker but DO NOT use ice. Shake, then pour into a martini glass with coffee beans to garnish.
Slojito
– 50ml Sloe Gin
– 1 tsp brown sugar
– 10 basil leaves
– A splash of soda water
Mash together the basil leaves and brown sugar in the bottom of the shaker, then add ice and the sloe gin and shake until cold. Pour into a tall glass and top up with soda
Frosty Bourbon
– 40ml Bourbon
– 10ml Ron Zacapa Centenario
– 10ml Vanilla Liqueur
– 40ml Pineapple Juice
– 25ml Lime Juice
– 10ml Almond syrup
– 1 piece of mint sprig
– 1 wedge of orange
– A sprinkle of black pepper
Add the bourbon, Ron Zacapa, vanilla liqueur, pineapple juice and lime juice to a shaker with ice. Shake until cold and then serve with mint and an orange wedge dusted with black pepper.
If You Want a Big Bowl of Punch…..
Classic Rum Punch
– 50ml Spiced Rum
– 25ml Original Rum
– 50ml Apple Juice
– 20ml Lemon Juice
– 15ml Caramel syrup
– 50ml ginger beer
– 1 piece of fresh ginger
– 1 cinamon stick
– 2 pieces of lemon
– 1 piece of orange wedge
Cut up the fruit and leave in the bowl with the cinnamon stick, pour in the rum, fruit juices and caramel syrup. Add the ginger beer and then leave in the fridge for 2-3 hours before serving.
Have you got any cocktails you’d like to add to this list? Leave a comment with the recipe below, or give us a yummy new cocktail to daydream about over on our Facebook page or Twitter.
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