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We’ve all probably heard at some point in our lives that there’s nothing worse than drink-mixing. You simply have to stick to one type of drink throughout the evening if you want to be hangover-free in the morning. That is, of course, not true. You can mix all the drinks you like because it’s the amount of alcohol that ultimately counts and not the type. Now that you know this, you’re free to enjoy some of the most popular cocktails in the world and we will tell you how to make them like real professionals do. So, let’s begin.
The Good Old Fashioned
The first cocktail that simply has to be on every list of the most popular cocktails in the world is the old fashioned. This ultra cool-looking drink is easy to make but requires some quality ingredients. But let’s start from the top. The first thing you need to do is get the original old fashioned glass and put a sugar cube in it. Add just a little bit of Angostura bitters and some club soda. Use a wooden kitchen tool like a pestle, for example, to crush the sugar cube and let it dissolve in the liquid completely. Add a couple of ice cubes (or one large cube) and pour some high-quality bourbon over it. You could decorate it with a slice of orange, but it’s not a must.
James Bond’s Favorite Martini
When it comes to movie characters, James Bond is among the coolest ones out there. He travels the world, meets gorgeous but dangerous women and foils evil plans of countless villains while hardly breaking a sweat. That is probably why even the drink he drinks – specially made martini – is among the most popular drinks in the world. Now, making a martini is really not hard, but it’s important that you do it with style. Since Bond predominately drinks a Vesper martini, you’ll need to acquire all the right ingredients. You will need three measures of Gordon’s gin and one of vodka. Now, in some movies, he says that he prefers Russian or Polish vodka, so buy those ones. Add a little bit of Kina Lillet wine to the mix, and some ice. Shake it using a shaker and pour into a proper martini glass. Add just a slice of lemon peel and you have your killer cocktail right there.
The Glamorous Manhattan
If you’re looking for something a bit more glamorous, you’ll probably end up making a Manhattan. Even the name itself sounds incredibly high-class and exclusive. At its heart, however, is yet again a simple mix that depends a lot on the quality of the ingredients and the presentation. The two main components of a Manhattan are whiskey and vermouth. Usually, it’s two measures of whiskey to one measure of vermouth but you can really choose your own proportion and, in a way, personalize your drinking experience some more. You must never shake these two ingredients as it might affect the taste of the whiskey. Instead, add a couple of dashes of Angostura bitters and stir slowly. Pour it all into a pre-chilled tall glass and add ice if you prefer it.
The Southern Delight: Mint Julep
Mint Julep is certainly among the most popular drinks out there because of its tradition. Due to heavy promotion and the special offers, people started associating the drink with the legendary Southern horse racing event – Kentucky Derby. Considering how it first appeared in 1938, many people have fond memories of this drink and often make it themselves. How do you make it? First off, grab a double old fashioned glass and mix some mint leaves with a regular sugar syrup. If you don’t have any syrup, you can also use regular sugar cubes, but the taste might be just a little bit different. Muddle the content forcefully in the glass (this is why a sturdier glass like the old fashioned is necessary) to help the leaves release all the flavors. Choose your favorite bourbon and pour over the mix before adding some crushed ice. You can optionally decorate it any way you want.
The Most Popular Cocktails: Bloody Mary
Finally, here’s one of the most colorfully named cocktails out there – the Bloody Mary. There are numerous stories about the origin of the name but one of our favorite anecdotes is certainly the one about Hemingway. Some say that he was the one who invented this popular drink in order to stop his wife Mary from nagging him about being drunk. Thrilled that this particular cocktail didn’t reveal his drunkness through bad breath, Hemingway apparently told his friend: “Bloody Mary didn’t smell a thing!” It’s a nice story, at least, but how do you make one? Fill your glass with ice about halfway and add some (Russian) vodka. After that, add a pinch of black pepper and some celery salt. Then put some cayenne pepper and Worcestershire sauce to the mix and finish with the fresh lime juice. That’s basically it. Once you taste it, you will be able to tell whether you’ll need more vodka or not.
That was our list of 5 most popular cocktails in the world. Is there anything you’d like to add to the list?
