Cocktail ideas

[McKitten84]

I am approaching my 30th birthday and decided to have a big celebration (as couldn't do anything last year due to being pregnant) so I have booked Center Parcs for the weekend and have plans to have a bit of cocktail evening with my friends and family. So, asking everyone out there can you recommend or what is your favourite cocktail (with recipe's please). Thank you xxx

I like a Woo Woo, I don't know the exact recipe but its aboit a dash of vodka, 2 dashes peach schnappes(?), then cranberry juice and I do a splash of orange in mine too, but not everyone does.

Margarita - tequila, Cointreau, lime juice, dash of sugar syrup, salt on rim of glass

Cosmopolitan - vodka, Cointreau, cranberry, lime juice, twist of flamed orange peel

I like 'em strong and citrusy

my faves are

White Lady, equal measures of gin, cointreau or triple sec, and lemonjuice...just shake it together

Sidecar...as above but with brandy instead of gin.

Kir Royal, some sort of fizz...plus a teaspoon (or so) of cassis in the bottom of the glass. You can substitute chambord for a raspberry royale

I made Pimms Royals once...not sure if I made that up, but as for a Kir Royal, pimms in the bottom of the glass, garnish with a fruit bowl and a slice of cucumber.

Best of all is a Dirty Martini, Iprefer gin, a teeny splash of vermouth, and a slightly bigger splash of olive water....shake them all together, there should be a slight oily, salty slick on the top of the gin and garnish with olives.

I love a good Bramble - gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and creme de mure. Garnish with fresh blackberries.

Oh Catsmamma is spot on with a Kir Royale they are gorgeous and very easy to do yourself!

Catsmamma you are a genius!
I have had Kir royale in France and loved it - but Chambord instead of cassis - pure genius. defiantly will be having that thank you x

thankyou! I do adore a nice cocktail! if you like you can put frozen berries in as well...handy if you are making both types...frozen rasp and frozen balckcurrant are in the mixed berries from the freezer :D

If you like Chambord, French Martini. I have tweaked the recipe a little (from memory) 1 part vodka, half part Chambord, 2 to 3 parts pineapple juice. Shake over ice. Serve with a couple of raspberries.

I can send recipes if you are interested. Pink grapefruit margarita has been a big hit with friends lately. The grapefruit makes it not to sweet so you can drink it all night. It always goes first.

Carpe diem is also a fave with strawberries.

I make my own schnapps which is super easy and from one of Nigella's cook books. It might be a nice way to end the night. Her rhubarb schnapps is my fave but I have gone plum, peach and nectarine. All good and if it is a bit string for some they can just add done lemonade to taste.