The Classic Margarita
Ingredients
2 oz Tequila
1 oz Lime Juice
1/2 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
Instructions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add the tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau or Triple Sec to the shaker.
Shake well for about 10-15 seconds.
Rim the edge of a glass with salt (if desired) before pouring.
Strain the mixture into the glass.
Garnish with a lime wheel and enjoy!
Martini
Ingredients
2 oz Gin
1 oz Dry Vermouth
Green Olive or Lemon Twist for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Fill a mixing glass with ice.
Add the gin and vermouth to the shaker.
Stir the mixture for about 15-20 seconds.
Strain the mixture into a chilled Martini or coupe glass.
Garnish with a green olive or a twist of lemon, and enjoy!
Old Fashioned
Ingredients
2 oz Whiskey (Rye or Bourbon, depending on preference)
1 tsp Sugar
2 dashes of Bitters
Orange Peel for garnish
Instructions
In an Old Fashioned glass, add the sugar and bitters.
Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to mix the sugar and bitters.
Fill the glass with ice.
Add the whiskey and stir.
Garnish with an orange peel and enjoy!
Whiskey Sour
Ingredients
2 oz Whiskey (Rye or Bourbon)
3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
Orange Slice for Garnish
Maraschino Cherry for Garnish
Instructions
Add the whiskey, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake until well-combined.
Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
Garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.
The Classic Daiquiri
Ingredients
2 oz Rum
3/4 oz Fresh Lime Juice
3/4 oz Simple Syrup
Instructions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add the rum, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
Shake well for about 10-15 seconds.
Strain the mixture into a chilled glass (like a coupe or Nick and Nora glass).
Garnish with a lime wheel and enjoy.
Bar Tools You’ll Need When Making Cocktails
Cocktail Shaker – A cocktail shaker is used to mix and chill ingredients for cocktails. It typically consists of a metal or glass container and a lid with a built-in strainer (known as a cobbler shaker). The Boston shaker has 2 metal tins or one tin and a mixing glass. To use, simply fill the shaker with ice, add your ingredients, and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
Cocktail Jigger – This is a small measuring cup used to measure out the ingredients for a cocktail. It typically has two sides, one measuring up to 1.5 oz or 2 ounces and the other measuring up to .75 oz or 1 ounce. This is used to ensure that ingredients are measured accurately and that the drink is consistent every time.
Bar Spoon – A bar spoon is a long-handled spoon used for stirring cocktails. It is typically made of stainless steel and has a twisted handle to make it easy to spin. It’s used to mix ingredients in a glass or shaker and create a layered effect in layered cocktails and shots.
Muddler – Use this tool to crush fruits, herbs, and other ingredients in the bottom of a glass or shaker. Its purpose is to release flavors and aromas from whatever you’re muddling and is typically made of wood or plastic.
Strainer – This is a super important tool used to remove ice or other solids from a drink after it has been shaken or stirred. It typically has a fine mesh or slotted design and can be used with a shaker or a glass.
Citrus Press – You’ll use a juicer press to extract juice from citrus fruits. It is commonly used to add fresh citrus juice to cocktails, like the lime juice in a Daiquiri.
Zester – A zester is a handy little tool used to create thin strips of citrus zest for garnish. The most versatile one you’ll want to use has a fine grater on one end and a channel knife on the other end.
