What is your favourite cocktail to make for friends?

[kefa88]

Hi all,

This is my first message that I've posted here, so forgive me if I stumble along...

It's my birthday on Friday, and I'm having a dozen or so mum-friends around for drinks and food after the kiddos are all tucked up in bed.

I was thinking I'd provide some wine and prosecco as well as some nibbles (non alcoholic drinks like appletizers and soft drinks for those tee total). However, I'd love to do some fun cocktails as well to make things a bit more special. What do you ladies think? I was thinking maybe margaritas? Or bellinis? Or just a big ol jug of Pimms...?
I'm a bartending novice so I may be biting of more than I can chew, but hey! it's a party!

What would be your suggestions?

Thanks! K

[TwentyOneGuns]

I love a good cocktail but my favourites are either tricky to get right (Mojito - you need to get the balance of mint/soda/lime/sugar spot on) or need about 10 different ingredients (Singapore Sling).

I don't think you can go wrong with Pimms at this time of year especially made properly with lots of fruit, cucumber and mint.

Have a nice evening :)

[kefa88]

Wait, wait, I forgot to add:
I was also thinking maybe I'd just buy some bases (vodka, gin, etc?) with some mixers (sprite, seltzer, etc) and garnishes (lemons, limes, mint, strawberries) and let people get creative. What would you recommend in terms of ingredients. Or is this a recipe for disaster.... help. I'm getting stressy.

[deplorabelle]

I second Pimms. I love cocktails but it's a risky strategy. When people don't know quite what they're drinking they either get really hammered or, much more likely, take tiny cautious sips and stay stone cold sober.

Make your own could be fun but expensive and/or messy. You know your friends best. Are they actually cocktail drinkers? If so, brilliant. If not, I'd stick to pimms and prosecco (which will be lovely)

[Whataboutwhathuh]

Woo woo, vodka, peach snaps and cranberry over tonnes of ice.

[deplorabelle]

But if you really want cocktails and are prepared to spend out, get a blender, loads and loads of fruit, limes and rum. Make daiquiris

[VanellopeVonSchweetz99]

Bloody Marys, esp for Halloween.

[MadHattersWineParty]

Aperol Spritz!
2 parts Aperol, 3 parts Prossecco, 2 parts soda water and ice and garnished with a green olive or a big slice of orange. Lovely, very simple and a change from Pimms.

[kefa88]

Good point, deploabelle. No one wants messy drunk and DEFINITELY no one wants stone cold sober.
I think I'll stick with Pimms and Prosecco. Baby steps.
I'll compensate by pushing the boat out on nibbles... is it cheeky to ask for suggestions for fave party food ;)

[Cookingongas]

Sangria? A white and red version.

[Cookingongas]

But to answer the question in the op my favourite cocktail to make friends is a grapefruit or blood orange ( dictated by season) margarita.

[Whataboutwhathuh]

Chips and dip
Smoked salmon blinis
Empanaditas www.lavenderandlovage.com/2015/08/a-secret-recipe-for-parties-empanaditas-de-chorizo.html

Olives

[Cookingongas]

Cross post. My favourite party foods are-

Things on cocktail sticks;

Pear and blue cheese

Mini mozzarella , cherry tomatoes and basil leaf

Chorizo rounds which were fried with a honey glaze

Prawn and avacado

Thinly sliced beef folded with a dot if horseradish in the middle

Smoked salmon, chilli and avocado

Lime and chilli marinated prawns

All of the above can also be served on crostini but I really do have a penchant for snacks on sticks

[shoofly]

Ok Cookingongas, please tell me how to make a grapefruit or blood orange margarita ? No blood oranges in Lidl for about 3 weeks now and I'm suffering withdrawal symptoms, but I could try to recover with a grapefruit one...

[Cookingongas]

Shoo- it's not my recipe it's from a cookbook I own- I've pasted the original below.

Anna Jones Blood orange margaritas (makes 4)

500ml blood orange juice
Juice of 2 limes
2 tablespoons agave syrup
100ml triple sec or cointreau
150ml good tequila (her words!)
1 unwaxed lime

Mix all liquids, pour over ice, finish with slice of lime "

I long ago stopped adding the agave- I like a bitter cocktail, and I substitute grapefruit for the 11 months a year I can't get blood oranges. I prefer white grapefruit (I like bitter) but pink works well too.

In a party I make a large jug with 2x quantity and allow guests to just put over ice. Always, always a hit.

[Cookingongas]

Pour over ice

[CuppaTeaAndAJammieDodger]

A Hugo:

50ml Fiorente (elderflower liqueur)
50ml sparkling water
100ml Prosecco

Over ice, mint & lime

[kefa88]

Mmmm. Snacks on sticks. Fantastic ideas, Cookingongas! My sainsburys order is filling up fast...

[Cookingongas]

Other snacks on sticks include ;
Fried paneer cubes with cumin seeds
garlic mushrooms
Sticky soy cocktail sausages
Bacon wrapped leek rounds ( roasted)
And your classic pigs in blankets

But I avoid things which are better hot.

[kefa88]

How's this:
White, Red, Rose & Prosecco with a big jug of Pimms. Plus, non alcoholic for teetotallers
For food:

• vegetarian spring rolls with chilli dip
  
• Mozzerella, cherry tomatoes & basil skewers
  
• Smoked salmon blinis
  
• Hot stuffed peppers
  
• Parma ham & melon
  
• Pita chips with hummus
  
• Olives, feta cheese and sundried tomatoes
  
• Plus, of course, birthday cake :)

[kefa88]

BTW, Cookingongas, that blood orange margarita sounds amazing. Maybe next time when I'm feeling a bit braver (or one night when I'm alone and feeling decadent... )

[shoofly]

I am definitely vmaking a pink grapefruit margarita later thanks so much!