A mimosa is a popular brunch cocktail made with a blend of orange juice and sparkling wine, typically champagne. Here’s a simple recipe to make a classic mimosa: Ingredients: 2 ounces (60ml) orange juice, freshly squeezed (if possible) 2 ounces (60ml) champagne or other sparkling wine, chilled Optional: orange slice or twist for garnish Instructions: Pour the orange juice into a champagne flute, filling it halfway. Slowly pour the champagne or sparkling wine into the flute, filling it to the top. Gently stir the mixture with a long-handled spoon to combine the orange juice and champagne. Be careful
A Manhattan cocktail is traditionally made with whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. By substituting whiskey with mezcal, you’ll create a smoky and unique twist on the classic Manhattan, called the Distrito Federal. A Distrito Federal, or Federal District, is an administrative division in some countries, similar to a state or province. It typically refers to an area that encompasses a nation’s capital city and its surrounding region. The purpose of a Federal District is to separate the capital city from the influence of any specific state or province, allowing it to function as a neutral territory under the direct
A Hibiscus Margarita with Mezcal offers a delightful twist on the classic margarita, featuring the smoky flavor of mezcal and the tart, floral notes of hibiscus. Ingredients: 2 oz (60 ml) Mezcal Joven (you can also use a mix of tequila and mezcal, 1 oz each, if you prefer a milder smoky flavor) 1 oz (30 ml) hibiscus syrup (see instructions below for homemade hibiscus syrup) 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime juice 1/2 oz (15 ml) Cointreau or triple sec Ice Salt and dried hibiscus flowers for rimming the glass (optional) Lime wheel or wedge for garnish Hibiscus
A Tequila Spritz is a refreshing and effervescent cocktail that combines the bold flavors of tequila with the lightness of sparkling water and a hint of citrus. It is an ideal choice for a warm day or a festive occasion like Cinco de Mayo. Here’s a simple recipe to create a delightful Tequila Spritz: Ingredients: 2 oz (60 ml) blanco or reposado tequila (can swap for Mezcal as well) 1/2 oz (15 ml) fresh lime juice 1/2 oz (15 ml) simple syrup or agave syrup (adjust to your preferred sweetness) 2 oz (60 ml) club soda or sparkling water
Ingredients: 2 oz. red wine 1 oz. whiskey 1/2 oz. simple syrup 2 dashes of Angostura bitters Orange twist, for garnish Instructions: Fill a mixing glass with ice. Add the red wine, whiskey, simple syrup, and bitters to the glass. Stir well for about 30 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with an orange twist. This cocktail is a twist on the classic Old Fashioned, using red wine instead of the traditional water or soda. The bitters add depth and complexity to the flavor, while the orange twist adds a hint of citrus
Ingredients: 1 bottle of red wine 1/2 cup brandy 1/4 cup orange liqueur (such as triple sec) 1/4 cup sugar 1 orange, sliced 1 lemon, sliced 1 lime, sliced 1 apple, sliced 1 cup soda water Instructions: In a large pitcher, combine the red wine, brandy, orange liqueur, and sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the sliced orange, lemon, lime, and apple to the pitcher. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight. Just before serving, add the soda water to the pitcher. Serve over ice and garnish with additional fruit if desired. For additional
To make an Espresso martini, you will need the following ingredients: 1 shot of espresso (1.5 oz) 1.5 oz of vodka 1 oz of Kahlua Ice 3 coffee beans (for garnish) Directions To start, brew a shot of espresso and set it aside to cool. Fill a shaker with ice and add the vodka and Kahlua. Once the espresso has cooled, add it to the shaker as well. Shake the mixture vigorously for 10-15 seconds to ensure everything is well mixed and chilled. Next, strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass. Garnish the cocktail with three coffee
Ingredients: 2 oz mezcal 1 oz fresh lime juice 1/2 oz agave nectar or simple syrup 1/2 oz orange liqueur (such as Cointreau or Triple Sec) Salt for rimming the glass Lime wedge for garnish Instructions: Rim a chilled rocks glass with salt by rubbing a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and dipping it into a small dish of salt. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the mezcal, lime juice, agave nectar or simple syrup, and orange liqueur to the shaker. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. Strain the cocktail into the salt-rimmed glass
The Daiquiri originated in Cuba and was made by pouring a teaspoon of sugar, the juice of two limes and three ounces of white rum, in succession, over ice in a tall glass. This mixture was then stirred and served. Over time, this process has become one of mixing the ingredients, shaking them together and then serving the Daiquiri into a coupe glass. There is some discussion as to who invented the drink and made it popular in the US. Was it created by Jennings Cox, an American living and working in Cuba in the late 1800s? Was it
The Americano cocktail is made of Campari, vermouth and sparkling water. We used Club Soda in this version, but as always, feel free to experiment with mineral water, tonic or sparkling water. According to cocktail history the Americano is a descendent of the Milano-Torino which is a descendent of the Torino-Milano. Each of these is a slightly different blend of Campari, Amaro (or Milano) and vermouth. The Amaro and Milano were dropped to form the Americano. Perhaps the bitterness was dropped so the Americans could enjoy it? The Americano is also the first drink ordered by James Bond in
The Bee’s Knees is a Three Bottle Cocktail dating back to Prohibition when the gin was illegal and generally awful. The honey was likely added in order to cover the taste of the dreaded bathtub gin. With all the different gins on the market today –from the New American style to London dry varieties– it is best to try this cocktail with a variety of them as each one will provide a different experience. This recipe calls for honey syrup which is easily made at home by following this recipe: Combine 1 cup of honey with one cup of
The Grave Digger recipe makes an excellent Bourbon based winter cocktail when it is cold outside and warm inside. This version of the Grave Digger uses Bourbon as the base spirit and red wine as the secondary alcohol. We have mixed up slight variations of this using Rye in place of Bourbon and even hard cider in place of the red wine. Have fun, mix and match the ingredients but most importantly, enjoy the cocktail and stay warm. For more cocktails, check out our recipe page. Photo credit: Patti Glumac, Fancy a Drink Contributor.
August 10 is Skyscraper Appreciation Day To celebrate, we’ll give you a drink called the Skyscraper, but if you’re thinking of the tall Manhattan by that name, we’re throwing you a curve ball. We’ve already covered the Manhattan and several bourbon drinks, so it’s time to mix it up. Too much? You can shake this drink. (photo credit: Tuxyso / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0)
This is a great substitute for Simple Syrup that is also cost effective. Once made this will keep well in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. We here at Fancy A Drink make all our own simple syrup and since we are sugar conscious as well, we make it with 1/2 cup of sugar to one cup of water. Feel free to experiment and let us know what you think on Instagram, Facebook or the comments below.
This is a beer cocktail that combines the lemon and wheat flavor of Sam Adams Summer Ale with the Italian Aperol and some homemade Rosemary syrup. This is a two part recipe in that we need to make the Rosemary Syrup as well as the cocktail itself.
American Dream Punch is easy to make in advance for large groups and parties. If you’re expecting a larger group, consider making a few pitchers ahead of time.
Gimlet. A cocktail for the calorie conscious. Even if you eat right and exercise, you can undo a lot of your hard work when you hit the bar for drinks in the evening. Since it’s summer and we all want to look great at the beach, we thought it would be helpful to recommend a refreshing drink that won’t hit your waistline. Our skinny cocktail of choice is the gimlet. The gimlet was originally made and consumed by British sailors in the 19th century. While they were not particularly concerned with the calorie count, the lime was believed to
Margaritas are a very popular summer choice, however, they contain a lot of sugar. If you don’t want to add a lot of sugar to your daily intake, a Paloma, may be an excellent Margarita modification for you. For further experimentation, trade out the Tequila for Mezcal and enjoy the La Smokey Paloma.
Picture yourself walking in to a Manhattan Club, you are sharply dressed. The bartender notices you. You want a cocktail. Have a Martini. Vodka, martini, of course.
The Leo Street Special was invented in the 1940s in San Diego, California. Less than 20 years removed from the repeal of Prohibition and within a few years of the end of World War II men and women across the country were enjoying their freedom and their cocktails. As the economic boom was expanding, so too was cocktail creativity. In that environment, on a small street in San Diego, the Leo Street Special was born. Thank you to Fran & Ken for this addition to cocktail history.
According to Wikipedia, this drink was invented by none other than James Bond himself (In the 1953 James Bond novel Casino Royale). See for yourself. “A dry martini,” said. “One. In a deep champagne goblet.” “Oui, monsieur.” “Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?” “Certainly, monsieur.” The barman seemed pleased with the idea. “Gosh, that’s certainly a drink,” said Leiter. Bond laughed. “When I’m…er…concentrating,” he explained, “I never have more than
The Highball gets its name from late 1900s bar slang where “ball” meant glass and “high” meant tall. Throw in some Scotch and some soda into a high ball and the Highball was born.
In a cordial glass, pour the grenadine, then layer the crème de cacao, and finally the blue curacao. To layer, slowly pour of the crème de cacao on top of the grenadine and repeat for the blue curacao. Layering takes practice, but you can drink your mistakes and they’ll be delicious too!
The iconic, somewhat bitter, Italian classic. Several variations exist as well. For example try one of the following: –>Replace the Gin with Prosecco or Sparkling White Wine –>Replace the Campari with Aperol –>Replace the Vermouth with Lillet Have fun, enjoy, Salute!
If you are not a fan of Vodka or simply want to try something new, use Bourbon instead of Vodka and garnish with mint. Then, call it the Kentucky Mule.
February 22nd is National Margarita Day (though, any Monday will generally do just fine). The Fancy A Drink staff’s consensus favorite modification to the classic is to substitute in Mezcal for the Tequila. Gives it a nice smokiness and takes away some of the sweetness. Salud!
Aperol, the classic Italian bitter liqueur from Padua, provides the base for this iconic aperitivo drink. A simple combination of three parts Prosecco, two parts Aperol and one splash of soda water, the Aperol Spritz is an outright phenomenon in Italy. It has also made significant inroads in America, where riffs on its bitter, bubbly, low-alcohol formula have proliferated.
If I were committed to silence, this would definitely by my drink of choice. A great balance of Rum and the Aperol make this drink infinitely enjoyable.
The Mint Julep one of the first American cocktails to go global and provide Europeans with some insight into the ways of the American bartender. And it can definitely be enjoyed anytime and not simply at the races. (Photo: Mangomix, Wiki user)
Cold out? Enjoy a Hot Toddy and feel free to experiment with the base spirit. Mix it up and try Irish Whiskey, American Whiskey, Brandy or Rum. (Photo: JPS68, Wiki user)
“I want someone to laugh with me, someone to be grave with me, someone to please me and help my discrimination with his or her own remark, and at times, no doubt, to admire my acuteness and penetration.” -Robert Burns, Scottish poet (1759-1796) (Photo: Armbrust, Wiki user)
Raibert Ruadh MacGriogair of the early 1700s was a Scottish outlaw, folk hero and legend in his own time. In 1894 he finally got some recognition when a bartender at the Waldorf Hotel created and debuted the Rob Roy in his honor. (Photo: Armbrust, Wiki user)
At its core, the Manhattan is a spirit forward cocktail based on Rye, Bourbon or Whiskey. We at Fancy A Drink are partial to one made with Bourbon. .rhebus-responsive-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; } .rhebus-responsive-container iframe { position: absolute; top:0; left: 0; }
Another exquisite cocktail from New Orleans, “vieux carré” is pronounced voo-ca-ray and is French for “old square”, likely referencing the city’s famous French Quarter. (Photo: CocktailStevee, Tumblr)
This drink has been around since at least the 1850s and the base cocktail can be varied. Go ahead and try it with Gin or Mezcal or any spirit for variety. (Photo: Ralf Roletschek)
This drink is based on a novel and movie of the same name in which a poor Matador does good but in the process is caught between his wife and his mistress. Careful out there! (Photo: Ralf Roletschek)
The USS Maine sank in Havana Harbor when Cuba revolted against Spain in 1933 and “Remember the Maine” became the catchphrase of the Spanish-American war that year as well as this now classic cocktail. (Photo credit: Kenn Wilson via flickr.com)
During Prohibition, good Gin was hard to come by. Americans, ever the entrepreneurs, distilled Gin in their own bathtubs. It was not necessarily very good but it was good enough with a bit of lemon thrown in to revive the corpse when necessary. This is the origin story for the Corpse Reviver #2. Salud!
