Five Classic Cocktails to Wow Your Guests

The weekend is a great time to explore your inner mixologist and experiment with cocktail creation. With cocktails surging in popularity, amidst the plethora of new daily recipes, there remain timeless classics that have endured and are certainly worth experiencing.

Here are some classic cocktails for you to try out and impress your guests this weekend.

 

Vodka Martini (Vodka)


The Martini, best made with Stoli Premium Vodka is often associated with elegance and sophistication, has roots dating back to the 19th century. While the traditional Martini was originally made with gin, vodka gained popularity in the mid-20th century as a substitute due to its smooth and neutral flavour. The famous catchphrase "shaken, not stirred," popularized by James Bond in the 1960s, further propelled the Vodka Martini into the limelight as an iconic classic cocktail.


Ingredients:


Instructions:

  • Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes.
  • Add vodka and dry vermouth to the mixing glass.
  • Stir gently for about 20-30 seconds until chilled.
  • Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass.
  • Garnish with a lemon twist or olive, according to preference.
  • Serve and enjoy your classic Vodka Martini!
Margarita (Tequila)


The Margarita's origins are shrouded in mystery, but it is widely believed to have originated in Mexico during the 1930s or 1940s with family names like Orendain. Some stories credit a socialite, Margarita Sames, for creating the cocktail for her guests. Others claim it was invented by Carlos "Danny" Herrera for a customer allergic to all spirits except tequila. Regardless of its exact origin, the Margarita quickly gained popularity in the United States, becoming one of the most beloved and iconic tequila-based cocktails.


Ingredients:


Instructions:

  • Rim the glass with salt (optional) by running a lime wedge around the edge of the glass and dipping it into salt.
  • Fill a shaker with ice cubes.
  • Add tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
  • Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.
  • Strain the mixture into the prepared glass filled with ice.
  • Garnish with a lime wheel.
  • Serve and savor the refreshing Margarita!
Gin and Tonic (Gin)


The Gin and Tonic has its roots in the British colonial era when quinine, used to treat malaria, was combined with gin to make it more palatable. As a result, the Gin and Tonic gained popularity among British soldiers in India during the 19th century. It eventually spread worldwide and became a classic cocktail known for its refreshing and crisp taste when made with time-trusted name like Citadelle.


Ingredients:


Instructions:

  • Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
  • Pour the gin over the ice.
  • Top up the glass with tonic water.
  • Stir gently to combine.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.
  • Serve and enjoy the timeless Gin and Tonic!
Mojito (Rum)


The Mojito traces its history back to 16th-century Cuba when it was originally known as "El Draque" after the famous explorer Sir Francis Drake. It evolved over the centuries, with the addition of rum during the 19th century. The Mojito's refreshing blend of mint, lime, sugar, and Stade’s Rum directly from Barbados makes it a mouthwatering choice whose popularity has only grown in modern times.


Ingredients:


Instructions:

  • In a highball glass, muddle the fresh mint leaves with lime juice and simple syrup.
  • Add crushed ice to the glass, filling it about halfway.
  • Pour the white rum over the ice and mint mixture.
  • Top up the glass with club soda.
  • Stir gently to combine.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.
    • Serve and savor the refreshing Mojito!
Old Fashioned (Scotch)


The Old Fashioned is believed to be one of the oldest cocktails, dating back to the early 19th century. Its name reflects a time when cocktail culture was just emerging, and it was one of the original mixed drinks using spirits, bitters, sugar, and water. The Old Fashioned experienced a resurgence in popularity during the Mad Men era of the 1960s, becoming a symbol of timeless style and taste, mixed perfectly with Grant’s Triple Wood Scotch Whisky.


Ingredients:


Instructions:

  • Place the sugar cube (or sugar) in an Old Fashioned glass.
  • Add the Angostura bitters directly onto the sugar.
  • Muddle the sugar and bitters together to form a paste.
  • Add a splash of water to the glass and stir to dissolve the sugar paste.
  • Fill the glass with ice cubes.
  • Pour the Scotch whisky over the ice.
  • Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.
  • Serve and enjoy the classic Old Fashioned!

Cocktail accessories you will need


10 Cocktail mixing tips

  1. Use Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh ingredients like freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice, fresh mint leaves, and high-quality spirits. Fresh ingredients can significantly enhance the flavour of a cocktail.

  2. Proper Measuring: Accurate measurements are crucial for a well-balanced cocktail. Recommend using a jigger or measuring tool to ensure precise proportions of each ingredient.

  3. Ice Matters: The type and size of ice used can impact a cocktail's taste and presentation. For example, large ice cubes or spheres are ideal for sipping cocktails like Old Fashioned, while crushed ice is perfect for refreshing drinks like Mojito.

  4. Stir vs. Shake: Teach your customers when to stir and when to shake. Stirring is suitable for clear, spirit-forward cocktails like the Vodka Martini and Gin and Tonic, while shaking is ideal for drinks with citrus or fruit juices, like the Margarita.

  5. Garnish with Care: Garnishes not only add visual appeal but also contribute to the overall flavour experience. Show your customers how to garnish with citrus twists, fruit slices, or fresh herbs like mint.

  1. Experiment with Glassware: Different cocktails shine in various glass types. Recommend using a martini glass for the Vodka Martini, a highball glass for the Gin and Tonic, and an Old Fashioned glass for the Old Fashioned.

  2. Customize to Taste: Cocktails are versatile, and personal preferences vary. Encourage your customers to adjust sweetness, sourness, or strength to their liking by adding more or less of certain ingredients.

  3. Simple Syrup: Instead of using granulated sugar, recommend using simple syrup for sweetening cocktails. It dissolves easily and ensures a consistent sweetness throughout the drink.

  4. Muddling Technique: For cocktails like the Mojito, teach proper muddling techniques to extract the flavour from ingredients like mint leaves without overdoing it and releasing bitterness.

  5. Rimmed Glasses: When recommending rimming glasses with salt (for Margarita) or sugar (for other cocktails), show your customers how to do it neatly by moistening the glass rim with a lime or lemon wedge.