Cocktails

[Lifesariotwithspyvspy]

I've been given a cocktail set for Christmas (early as it came from abroad and we opened it as they hadn't told me!) and I was wondering what your go to cocktails are?

We have a few friends coming over a few days before the big day and I'd like to offer them a cocktail as well as other drinks.

This will be the first time making them not pre bought, so quite excited about it!!
Tia.

Oh it's GREAT making your own cocktails! You can make them exactly how you like them, and try new recipes all the time 😉

My favourites are:

Negroni (gin, Campari, red vermouth)
Negroni sbagliato (where you use prosecco instead of the gin)
Gin martini with green olives
Manhattan (bourbon, red vermouth, bitters)
Bicycletta (Campari, white wine, soda water)

Enjoy!

We love negronis, manhattans, and my personal favourite is an old fashioned.

If you've got a blender that can take ice, margaritas are always a winner.

Thanks so much for those suggestions. I'm hoping to try a few out this evening, for research purposes obviously 😀😂

I love a Margarita, a Tequila Sunrise and a Pina Colada but maybe more in summer.
For winter a Negroni or an Espresso Martini are my go to drinks. Nigella has some nice ideas for cocktails on her website though.

Love all of these. If you are hosting and want a good long drink the Laverstoke is nice. https://www.bombaysapphire.com/distillery/gin-cocktails/the-laverstoke/

I like the El Diablo with the cassis replaced by Cointreau but DP loves the blackcurrant version. https://www.patrontequila.com/en-gb/cocktails/patron-silver/el-diablo.html?&maas=maasadggapi21238427708022macro111&ref=aaamaas&aacampaignid=19926748537&aaaadgroupid=149074920421&aacreativeid=ad-6691498410877dsa-2176803590280dev-mmext-&utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=Always+OnnUKPatronnSearchGoogleeGeneric+CocktailCocktaillMixedN%2FAAPhraseN%2FA&utmmterm=&gclid=CjwKCAiAg9urBhBEiwAgw88mR3PP8gSGqBYGg1qHgiwYvEiHqUb9ObfSReubjwAX60I68FJgz26RxoCT1MQAvDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

You can also top up a Negroni with ginger ale for a longer drink, which is slightly less nice than a proper Negroni but is still good.

This is the standard reference for cocktails:

https://www.diffordsguide.com/

My favourites are
Pina Coladas ( I make them with vegan ice cream )
Strawberry Daiquiris
WinkyPops and Flora Dora's

Bramble
Mojito
Aviation
Oaxacan old fashioned
Cosmopolitan
White Russian (my version of this is very different from standard - 1 part caramel vodka, 1 part white chocolate liqueur, 1 part kaluha, 3 part milk)

Do a grinch
Rim of glasses covered in crushed candy cane
Middori
Vodka
Prosecco
Soda
With a cherry on top

I'd never heard of this. Loving the Christmas recipes.
Thanks so much

Our traditional Christmas Eve cocktail is a Raffles Singapore Sling. It takes a lot of different types of alcohol. If you are interested in the quantities - as follows:
dash angostura bitters, 30ml gin, 15ml triple sec, 15ml Benedictine, 15 ml cherry brandy, 15ml fresh lime juice, 30ml orange juice, 30ml pineapple juice. Garnish with a cherry and orange slice.

If you are looking to use a cocktail shaker then something like a margarita would be great as it is a shaken drink. Some of the others mentioned on here are drinks you build in the glass or would normally stir (like a Negroni, Manhattan or Old Fashioned), so perhaps not quite as fun in terms of cocktail “theatre” with your new set! Also remember not to shake anything that fizzes up!!!

Sours are a good bet, Whisky Sour, Pisco Sour or a Gin Sour. A White Lady is a good gin based cocktail, and a Clover Club looks pretty (uses grenadine and has a nice pink colour).