The ever changing art of mixology has spread from coast to coast in the last decade. In the year 2015, there are many more drinking options than ever before. It’s unlikely that you want to settle for a simple rum and coke or vodka tonic. You want fresh, unique, tasty drinks made by skilled bartenders who are there more to create magical tonics than solve your relationship problems.
In order to correctly get your proverbial drink on, you must pick select the perfect drink for you. This mixed drink needs to be perfectly suited to you. This is similar to the process of finding a potential mate. She might not want to admit it, but every woman has her flaws as well as her strengths (just like you). The same goes for cocktails.
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You wouldn’t want to date someone who is uncomfortably obsessed with her looks but has no personality. It might seem like fun at first, but it won’t last. You also wouldn’t want to buy a drink that was more flash than substance. It would be no fun spending all of your time with a mate who has a sour outlook on life. Nor would you want to imbibe very many cocktails that make you pucker your lips after every sip.
The best way to pick out your potential drink for the night is to weigh all the positives and negatives of each one individually. Here’s five cocktails to get you started on your quest for your go-to drink.
Mojito
The mojito is like a beautiful, exotic woman with a clouded history. No one is sure where she’s from. It could be Cuba, Miami or any number of warm weather destinations. The only thing you know for sure is that she isn’t from any place that where snow is prevalent. She is sweet and fresh and spends most of her time relaxing at the beach and in cities known more for sun than clouds and rain. She makes no secret that she is extremely unhappy in cold weather and won’t stand for temperatures that dip below sixty degrees.
- Five to six mint leaves
- .50 ounces Simple syrup (one part sugar, one part water)
- .50 ounces Lime juice
- 1.75 ounces White Rum
- 1.75 ounces Club Soda
Lightly muddle the mint in a shaker. To this, add simple syrup, lime juice and rum. Cover this with ice and shake well. Without using a strainer, pour everything into a glass and top it off with club soda.
Irish Coffee
An Irish Coffee is like a sweet, energetic woman who is probably from Ireland or at least has ancestors there. She is always ready for a good time and never gets tired. She is sweet, but also has a bitter side that can pop up randomly. She is most at home in cold weather and spends a lot of her time bundled up in a warm blanket in front of a fireplace. She completely avoids beaches for fear of getting badly sunburned.
- One freshly brewed, hot cup of coffee
- Brown sugar (or brown sugar simple syrup)
- Lightly whipped cream (or Irish Cream such as Bailey’s)
- Irish whiskey (most likely Jameson)
Start with a cup of coffee and add the whiskey and brown sugar (or brown sugar syrup). Top it off with lightly whipped cream or Irish cream.
Caipirinha
The Caipirinha is like a Brazilian beauty. With her, what you see is what you get. She is fun loving, sweet and effervescent. She doesn’t like leaving her home in Sao Paulo, but she will if it means visiting another beach filled destination. Like the mojito, she has no desire to visit (or live) any city where it snows. She loves citrus fruits and a night out at a dance club.
- One half lime, cut into wedges
- One ounces of sugar ot simple syrup (one part sugar, one part water)
- Two ounces of Cachaça
Muddle the sugar and lime in a glass. Fill it with ice and add the Cachaça and stir.
Manhattan
The Manhattan is like a street smart, independent woman. She lives in New York City and doesn’t see the point of moving anywhere else. She drinks whiskey and has a tough exterior, but is actually fairly sweet when you get to know her. She prefers the grittiness and hustle and bustle of “The City That Never Sleeps” to any beach or countryside.
- Two ounces of rye whiskey (I suggest Bulleit)
- .50 ounces of sweet vermouth
- Three dashes of angostura bitters
- Maraschino cherries to garnish
Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth and bitters to a glass. Add ice cubes and stir. Strain it into a cocktail glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Bloody Mary
Bloody Mary is really much like a mystery. Nobody is quite sure how old she is and where she’s from. You also never really know what to expect from her. Sometimes she can have a spicy temper and other times she’s more subdued and sweet. It’s best to just take bloody Mary however she is presented and just go along for the ride. She’s got a lot going on under the surface and sometimes puts a little too much on her plate. She loves breakfast and has no problem eating it morning, noon and night.
- One and a half ounces of vodka
- Three ounces of tomato juice
- Lemon juice
- A half teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
- Three drops of hot sauce (most likely Tobasco or Sriracha)
- Pepper, Salt and Celery Salt
- Horseradish (to taste)
- Lime and lemon wedges
- Celery
Rub lime around the rim of a glass. Dip the rim in margarita salt. Add ice to the glass before mixing in the vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, pepper, celery salt and horseradish.
Photos: Getty
