COCKTAILS
I have always been kind of a “drink snob”. So after being asked numerous times for my recipes, I thought I would make a page solely dedicated to my favorite cocktails. I have added the Large Batch version as well, for those entertaining a large number of guests. Enjoy and please drink responsibly!
MOJITO
For large batch recipe: Marinate 10 sprigs of mint into a bottle of Ron Flor de Caña Extra Seco White Rum. Let mint sit in alcohol for approximately 24 hours. Make a large batch of simple syrup. On Stove top on medium heat – add 2 cups of water and 2 cups of sugar, stir until sugar is dissolved. Add in 15-20 mint leaves. Let cool in the refrigerator.
Large Batch Ingredients:
4 cups Flor de Caña rum (infused with mint)
2 cups of fresh squeezed lime juice
1 ½ cups of mint infused simple syrup
4 cups of soda (to be added at the end – just before serving)
Place all ingredients into a large pitcher or glass drink dispenser. Stirring occasionally. When serving add a sprig of mint to each individual glass, and a slice of lime perched on the edge.
Individual Mojito Ingredients:
½ lime (make sure it is a juicy lime – if not, you will need one whole lime) – cut into quarters
1 oz. simple syrup
8 mint leaves
2 oz. Flor de Caña white rum
2 oz. soda water
Muddle the limes wedges, simple syrup and mint leaves together in a drink shaker. Add the rum and fill with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Pour into glass and add today water. Garnish with mint sprig and lime wedge and serve.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS FOR YOUR BAR
THE ONLY JUICER YOU WILL EVER NEED
Breville 800CPXL Die-Cast Stainless-Steel Motorized Citrus Press
It will take only a few minutes to squeeze the limes you need for the large batch margarita recipes listed below.
THE ESSENTIAL BAR KIT
The 20 piece Complete Bartender Kit
The Complete Bartender Kit 20-Piece Boston Cocktail Shaker Set – Premium Bar Accessories & Tools Set, Bonus Velvet Bag & Recipe Book, Stainless Steel Drink mixer, Mixology Barware for Home Bartending
THE MUST-HAVE SODA STREAM
It’s always best to have your own soda maker on hand for any bar. It makes fresh sparkling water at the push of a button.
1-2-4 MARGARITA
I think the most important thing about a perfect margarita is making sure you have 100% Agave Tequila, and fresh limes. I prefer to use Agave Nectar for my margaritas over sugar or simple syrup. There are some great tequilas out there, but since you’re adding lime and sweetener, you don’t have to break the bank. I stick with Espolon Silver Tequila. It’s a great value and perfect for mixing into a marg.
When it comes to measuring out my ingredients, I always start with the fresh squeezed lime, as it’s harder to squeeze limes then pour the tequila or agave. The 1,2,4 measurements are great for a “coin style” margarita, which is easy to remember: 1 part agave, 2 parts lime, 4 parts tequila. I have a single serving recipe as well as a batch recipe below:
Measurements for a Batch of Margaritas:
1 cup Agave nectar
2 cups fresh squeezed lime juice (not bottled – please!)
4 cups 100% Agave Tequila
1-3 cups soda water
2 large scoops of ice
Combine Lime, Agave and Tequila into a drink dispenser. Stir in the ice, making sure it is mixed well. Add a cup of soda water at a time, and taste, as you may like it stronger and do not want to dilute it anymore. Make sure to stir occasionally as the lime tends to settle. Enjoy! And please drink responsibly!
Measurements for a single Marg:
½ oz. Agave nectar
1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice (not bottled – please!)
2 oz. 100% Agave Tequila
Place all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake for 30 seconds at least, then pour into glass, with or without salt. I also sometimes add a splash of soda water (club soda), do dilute a little.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS FOR YOUR BAR
Lime, salt, sugar on your Rim
New Star Plastic 3-Tier Bar Glass Rimmer
Each of the compartments is specially designed to hold salt, sugar, or citrus juice. The container holds a fitted sponge to evenly apply lime or lemon juice.
lime infused salt
Rokz Lime Margarita Salt Rimmerz, 4 Ounce
This blend is made up of two types of salt, lime juice and flavorful bits of lemon and orange. Margaritas will never be the same! Simply edge a glass with lime juice, dip the rim in salt and rotate gently.
THE MUST-HAVE margarita glasses
Margarita Entertaining Set with 6 Margarita Glasses and Pitcher
Made with shatter-resistant premium plastic for worry-free outdoor entertaining — six 11-ounce classic margarita glasses and one 96-ounce pitcher. Great for serving tasty margaritas on the patio, by the pool, or on a blanket under the stars
GIN FIZZ
Want to make an easy frothy and refreshing cocktail? Try this Gin Fizz recipe. Of course the type of gin you use is important. Hendricks is my go to! Based on some of the reviews it is know for it’s lovely flavor that is very crisp and clean and is adored for its rose, cucumber, floral and botanicals flavor notes. Leopold Bros American Small Batch Gin is adored for its botanicals, floral, pine and citrus zest flavor notes.
Don’t forget the garnish! Add a little Rosemary or Basil.
GIN FIZZ for TWO:
3 Tbsp – fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbsp – maple syrup
4 oz. – Gin
1 – egg white only (Discard the yolk)
Splash of soda at the end and garnish with Rosemary
Place all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake for 30-60 seconds to get the egg white to froth and to chill the fizz, then pour into glass with ice. Add a splash of soda water (approx – 2 oz.)
LARGE BATCH Gin Fizz: (6 people)
4.5 oz – fresh squeezed lemon juice
3 oz – maple syrup
12 oz. – Gin
3 – egg whites only (Discard the yolk)
Splash of soda in each glass!
Combine lemon, maple syrup, gin, and egg whites into a blender with 1 cup of ice. Make sure it gets super frothy. Pour into 6 glasses with ice and add a splash of soda water to each of the glasses. Garnish with Rosemary sprig or Basil. Enjoy! And please drink responsibly!
RECOMMENDED TOOLS FOR YOUR BAR
Maple syrup, simple syrup or Agave
Essential sweeteners that enhance any drink.
Maple Syrup from Canada– Delicious and wonderful genuine organic maple syrup, with a rich and authentic taste, delightful sweetness, silky texture, and perfect thickness
Madhava Agave Nectar – Organic Agave Nectar is a great alternative to sugar
Simple Syrup – This you can make on your own, I prefer to use organic cane sugar. Mix one part sugar and one part water, place in a pot on medium heat. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and store in refrigerator.
Essential glassware
Viski 9418 Raye Cocktail Glasses Gin & Tonic Cups, Clear, Set of 2 – Craft the perfect gin and tonic with these cocktail-specific glasses. The wide mouth enhances the natural aroma of the gin and improves overall taste, while the balloon glass allows for plenty of ice.
Viski 5253 Raye Crystal Margarita Glasses -Accommodates 12 oz.; Comfortably
Most Suitable for Shaken or Blended Margaritas
Viski 3718 Stemless Martini Glasses Raye Cocktail Glassware – Serve the perfect cocktail to your guests in glamorous stemless martini glasses – and perhaps swill one yourself while you do.
THE MUST-HAVE ICE CUBE TRAYS
Round Silicone Ice Makers – Housewares Solutions Froz Ice Ball Maker – Novelty Food-Grade Silicone Ice Mold Tray With 4 X 4.5cm Ball Capacity
Square Ice Cubes – Samuelworld Ice Cube Tray Large Size Silicone Flexible 8 Cavity Ice Maker for Whiskey and Cocktails, Keep Drinks Chilled
Stainless Steel Whiskey Ice Cubes – Exclusive Whiskey Stones Gift Set; High Cooling Technology; Reusable Ice Cubes – Whiskey Rocks with Coasters + Ice Tongs
Crema Di Limoncello
Making the perfect dessert drink takes some time and committment, and of course finding the right ingredients, and Non-pasturized milk can be hard to come by in the US. So I have provided the links to purchase the right type of milk, and don’t forget to use grain alcohol.
Large Batch Limoncello
4 organic lemons – Peel only
2.5 cups – pure grain alcohol 94% or higher
1.5 liter of milk – UHT Milk – Non-pasterized
2 cups sugar
1 Vanilla bean
Wash all of the lemons, and using a vegetable peeler, remove lemon peel (avoid any of the white “pith”). Place lemon peel in large glass container with a tight-fitting lid). Add alcohol, close tightly, and let steep for at least 7 days or up to 40 days in a cool dark place. Swirl contents of jar every couple of days.
Remove lemon zest, which after at least a week will start to look pale yellow, and the alcohol will look bright yellow. Strain with fine seve of cheese cloth into a clean bottle. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the milk, sugar and vanilla bean. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature before adding to alcohol. Strain again and place in decanter or glass sealed bottle, allowing for enough room in the bottle for the limoncello to expand (if freezing). Then place in the freezer until ready to serve. Can be kept refrigerated up to one month or frozen for for up to six months.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS FOR YOUR BAR
THe perfect Limoncello Glasses
The perfect set of Limoncello Glasses ironically from a German glass making company.
Stolzle Lausitz Limoncello German Made Crystal Liqueur Glass, Set of 4 – German made 100% lead free crystal. Wide bowl, deep in the glass allows the release of fine aromas from your favorite liqueurs. Boxed as two, will receive a set of four glasses. Brilliant clarity that is meant to wow the crowd and steal the show. Dishwasher safe.
Italian Grappa Glasses/Limoncello
Bormioli Rocco Riserva Grappa Glasses, Set of 6
- Set of 6- 2-3/4-ounce grappa glasses
- Beautiful transparent lead free crystal glass
- Coordinates with other nadia and riserva glasses from bormioli rocco
- Washing by hand recommended
- Easy to hold, drink from, and enjoy
THE MUST-HAVE Limoncello Glass Jars
Ball Half Gallon Mason Jars – Wide Mouth 64 oz Bundle with Non Slip Jar Opener- Set of 2 Half Gallon Size Mason Jars – Glass Jars with Lids. 2 PACK – This ball mason jar bundle comes with (2) half gallon (64 oz) wide mouth jars and a bonus rubber non slip jar opener.
watermelon MARGARITA
Watermelon margaritas are a great summer cocktail! We made these on our girl’s trip in Mexico, but ironically it was hard to find fresh limes! Definitely start with 100% Agave Tequila, fresh limes and use seedless watermelon to save time. I always use Agave Nectar for my margaritas over sugar or simple syrup. My favorite tequila for margs, that won’t break the bank, is Espolon Silver Tequila. It’s a great value and perfect for mixing into a marg.
When it comes to measuring out my ingredients, I always start with the fresh squeezed lime, as it’s harder to squeeze limes than pour the tequila, or add the agave. Best to buy an entire seedless watermelon, and chop into pieces and place half into food processor. Save the other half to cut into wedges for garnishing the glasses. This recipe is a little different from the 1,2,4 margarita recipe I posted as we replace the soda water with the watermelon puree.
INDIVIDUAL WATERMELON MARG:
½ oz. Agave nectar
1 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice (not bottled – please!)
2 oz. 100% Agave Tequila
1 oz. fresh pureed watermelon (No seeds!)
Salt for the rim, and sprig of mint or watermelon wedge for garnish
Place all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake for 30 seconds at least, then pour into glass, with or without salt or a mixture of salt and sugar. I also sometimes add a sprig of fresh mint.
LARGE BATCH WATERMELON MARGS:
1 cup Agave nectar
2 cups fresh squeezed lime juice (not bottled – please!)
4 cups 100% Agave Tequila
2 cup Fresh pureed watermelon
2 large scoops of ice
Combine lime, agave, watermelon and tequila into a drink dispenser. Stir in the ice, making sure it is mixed well. Add a little bit of club soda at if you want to dilute it. Make sure to stir occasionally as the lime and watermelon tend to settle. Enjoy! And please drink responsibly!
