Cocktail Recipes: Discover New Delicious Drinks!

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The discussion centers around cocktail recipes and personal preferences for drinks, with participants sharing their experiences and favorite cocktails. A beginner cocktail, the "Last Word," is highlighted for its strong flavor and high cost due to Chartreuse. Various cocktails are mentioned, including the Moscow Mule, Dirty Martini, and Elderflower Collins, with a focus on avoiding overly sweet drinks. Participants also discuss the definition of cocktails, debating whether certain drinks like bourbon and water qualify. Overall, the conversation emphasizes a shared interest in exploring new cocktails while maintaining personal taste preferences.
lisab
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I recently have started to appreciate a good cocktail!

I'm a "beginner", so I don't know much more than the basic ones (screwdriver, martini, rum and coke (which is atrocious!), tequila sunrise, etc.).

My step-son introduced me to this one, it's very nice. It's a "Last Word".

Equal parts:
Gin
Chartreuse
Maraschino liqueur
Fresh lime juice

Shake with ice, serve with no ice.

Be forewarned, it's pretty strong. And expensive (Chartreuse in the US is $$$!).

The common ones mentioned above are OK (except the rum and coke ), but do you like any that are not commonly known?
 
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Green or yellow Chartreuse?

(And it's not cheap anywhere. )
 
Vanadium 50 said:
Green or yellow Chartreuse?

(And it's not cheap anywhere. )

Green. Have you had yellow? It's not available in my little town.
 
Lisa that sounds amazing! I'll have to try it out! My staple summer drink is a Moscow mule and a White Russian for winter. Hmmm just realized the link between the two lol :D
 
Oh, chartruese. We called it swamp water. I won't buy it. Nasty stuff!
 
Lisab, this isn't really a cocktail, but if you will buy a pint of decent bourbon you can try this. Get out a tall water glass, and put in 3-4 ice cubes. Splash a little bourbon over the ice, leaving 1/4" or less in the bottom of the glass, then top it off with water. Once you have a feel for the proportions, you can adjust. It's a great way to enjoy bourbon, IMO.

I hate drinking anything sweet or heavy, and this is my go-to.
 
turbo said:
Lisab, this isn't really a cocktail, but if you will buy a pint of decent bourbon you can try this. Get out a tall water glass, and put in 3-4 ice cubes. Splash a little bourbon over the ice, leaving 1/4" or less in the bottom of the glass, then top it off with water. Once you have a feel for the proportions, you can adjust. It's a great way to enjoy bourbon, IMO.

I hate drinking anything sweet or heavy, and this is my go-to.
Does that qualify as a cocktail? It's just bourbon and water.
 
Evo said:
Does that qualify as a cocktail? It's just bourbon and water.
I said that at the top of my post. Did you read it?
 
  • #10
turbo said:
I said that at the top of my post. Did you read it?
Then why post it in a cocktail thread?
 
  • #11
The only cocktail I care for is a dirty martini. But I also like black martinis.

Dirty martini

2 1/2 ounces gin
1/2 ounce dry vermouth (I prefer to skip the vermouth)
1/4-1/2 ounce olive juice, to taste
Olive for garnish

Black martini

Ingredients:

3 ounces gin or vodka
1/2 ounce blackberry brandy or black raspberry liqueur
Lemon twist for garnish

Oh, but frozen peach bellinis!

Ingredients:

2 ounces peach juice or peach puree
4 ounces Champagne
 
  • #12
Evo said:
Then why post it in a cocktail thread?
Because if someone is transitioning from wine, beer, etc, it might be nice to give some guidance. Just trying to be helpful.
 
  • #13
turbo said:
Because if someone is transitioning from wine, beer, etc, it might be nice to give some guidance. Just trying to be helpful.
OK, but it's just adding water, like adding ice... It's not a cocktail.
 
  • #14
I don't like drinks that are too sweet, btw. Orange or apple juice is about as sweet as I can stand.

I might make an exception at a swim-up bar, on a pristine sunny day, in a tropical location, if the drink is served in a pineapple with an umbrella :biggrin:.
 
  • #15
lisab said:
I don't like drinks that are too sweet, btw. Orange or apple juice is about as sweet as I can stand.

I might make an exception at a swim-up bar, on a pristine sunny day, in a tropical location, if the drink is served in a pineapple with an umbrella :biggrin:.
I'm the same, too sweet froo froo cocktails are not for me. Have you had a bellini? Those are really good. A perfect summer drink.
 
  • #16
Evo said:
I'm the same, too sweet froo froo cocktails are not for me. Have you had a bellini? Those are really good. A perfect summer drink.

I haven't, but as peaches come available I definitely will. I think it wouldn't be the same with canned peaches :rolleyes:.
 
  • #17
lisab said:
Green. Have you had yellow? It's not available in my little town.

Yes, in Grenoble, not far from where they make it. It's..um...different.
 
  • #18
Vanadium 50 said:
Yes, in Grenoble, not far from where they make it. It's..um...different.

I like the green. It, too, is...different. A bit sweet but I like the spiciness. There's a lot going on there, I can't quite grasp what I'm tasting. I can understand why it invokes memories of cough syrup in some people though.
 
  • #19
Chartreuse would gag a maggot. In the bar that I worked at, we had the same bottle on the shelf for 15 years. The only time that it was ordered, the woman spit it out on the floor rather than swallow it.
Our signature Canuck cocktail was invented here in Calgary. The proper name is "Bloody Caesar", but it's just called a Caesar. It is made with vodka on the rocks and clamato juice, seasoned with Worstershire and Tobasco sauces, with a salted or celery-salted rim and a celery stalk, asparagus spear, or spiced bean pod as garnish, with a lime wedge clamped onto the rim. It's the only vegetable that I'll consume.
By the bye, the term "cocktail" came from the garnish of coloured feathers that were used in fancy drinks in days of yore. Things like rye and Dry or bourbon () and water are just highballs.
 
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  • #20
Danger said:
Chartreuse would gag a maggot. In the bar that I worked at, we had the same bottle on the shelf for 15 years. The only time that it was ordered, the woman spit it out on the floor rather than swallow it.
Our signature Canuck cocktail was invented here in Calgary. The proper name is "Bloody Caesar", but it's just called a Caesar. It is made with vodka on the rocks and clamato juice, seasoned with Worstershire and Tobasco sauces, with a salted or celery-salted rim and a celery stalk, asparagus spear, or spiced bean pod as garnish, with a lime wedge clamped onto the rim. It's the only vegetable that I'll consume.
By the bye, the term "cocktail" came from the garnish of coloured feathers that were used in fancy drinks is days of yore. Things like rye and Dry or bourbon () and water are just highballs.
Absolutely agree!
 
  • #21
I do enjoy a good cocktail, and also dislike them being too sweet. I went to a bar a few nights ago that has a list of 209 different types of gin (my current spirit of choice) and had an Elderflower Collins. I don't really know all that much about different cocktails, so I'm not sure if it is very well known, but I really enjoyed the flavours (although it was made a tad too sweet for my liking). It contained Gin, elderflower liquor, lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda.
 
  • #22
danago said:
I do enjoy a good cocktail, and also dislike them being too sweet. I went to a bar a few nights ago that has a list of 209 different types of gin (my current spirit of choice) and had an Elderflower Collins. I don't really know all that much about different cocktails, so I'm not sure if it is very well known, but I really enjoyed the flavours (although it was made a tad too sweet for my liking). It contained Gin, elderflower liquor, lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda.
Now that does sound nice, I'm also a gin lover.
 
  • #23
Evo said:
Then why post it in a cocktail thread?

This isn't really a cocktail, more of solid 'morning after' bloody mary drink... if you're with friends or family and it's going that way.

A cup or two of spicy V-8, or bloody-mary mix of your choice,
at least two ozers of Grey Goose,
a couple of good stuffed olives (garlic or jelepeno for me)
celery sticks packed with cream cheese, stuffed with bacon like ants on a log
an extra stick of bacon, thick enough such that you can fish the olives.
 
  • #24
How about a Mojito: Soda, rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves :smile:

The other day I bought a bottle of premium handmade limoncello (di Fiorito), I'd like to try making a Scroppino: Limoncello, Prosecco, Lemon ice cream (I just hope the ice cream will last long enough to make a drink out of it).

Liquor stores.. after 16 years I still get carded :rolleyes: solution: an easy "cocktail" that doesn't require strong alcohol: beer with 7 Up, a Shandy :!)
 
  • #25
Evo said:
OK, but it's just adding water, like adding ice... It's not a cocktail.

Technically, neither is a clean extra dry martini, if you go by that strict logic.

I agree, technically, but I doubt Lisab was looking only for the technical definition of cocktails. I'm sure she doesn't mind suggestions like that one.

If you want to expand on Bourbon. Try the Old Fashioned (this is how I make them):

--In a Rocks or aptly named Old-Fashioned glass (some people prefer other types, I like a rocks glass) add 1 sugar cube and maybe 2 tsp of water. Mix sugarcube and water (alternatively, if you have it, pour in about .25-.5 oz simple syrup; to taste) I prefer to use the sugar cube method. Also note, others will use a splash of club soda in place of the still water. I've made it like that before and like it (it's a lighter mouthfeel) but I'll usually use just water.

--Add a couple dashes of Angostura Bitters (I like the stuff, so I add usually 4-5 dashes)

--Add maraschino cherry and muddle with sugar and water. I'll also add a bit of the cherry juice as well. About 1 tsp.

--Add 2 large ice cubes (we don't want too much water diluting the bourbon)

--Stir to coat ice cubes and glass in syrup mixture.

--Pour 2-3 oz of Bourbon over the ice and stir again. (I've been using Bulleit as it's tasty and relatively cheap, but use a bourbon you like the taste of, this is a drink which emphasizes the taste of the spirit) Obviously the more bourbon you put in the more pronounced the bourbon flavor will be. I tend to stick to about 2 oz with some over-pouring when I make them, so probably about 2.5 oz.

--If you want, add an orange slice and/or lemon peel (or slice, give it a try and see what you like). I typically forgo these garnishes.
 
  • #26
ryan albery said:
This isn't really a cocktail, more of solid 'morning after' bloody mary drink... if you're with friends or family and it's going that way.

A cup or two of spicy V-8, or bloody-mary mix of your choice,
at least two ozers of Grey Goose,
a couple of good stuffed olives (garlic or jelepeno for me)
celery sticks packed with cream cheese, stuffed with bacon like ants on a log
an extra stick of bacon, thick enough such that you can fish the olives.

Bacon? :smile:!

Travis_King said:
Technically, neither is a clean extra dry martini, if you go by that strict logic.

I agree, technically, but I doubt Lisab was looking only for the technical definition of cocktails. I'm sure she doesn't mind suggestions like that one.

If you want to expand on Bourbon. Try the Old Fashioned (this is how I make them):

--In a Rocks or aptly named Old-Fashioned glass (some people prefer other types, I like a rocks glass) add 1 sugar cube and maybe 2 tsp of water. Mix sugarcube and water (alternatively, if you have it, pour in about .25-.5 oz simple syrup; to taste) I prefer to use the sugar cube method. Also note, others will use a splash of club soda in place of the still water. I've made it like that before and like it (it's a lighter mouthfeel) but I'll usually use just water.

--Add a couple dashes of Angostura Bitters (I like the stuff, so I add usually 4-5 dashes)

--Add maraschino cherry and muddle with sugar and water. I'll also add a bit of the cherry juice as well. About 1 tsp.

--Add 2 large ice cubes (we don't want too much water diluting the bourbon)

--Stir to coat ice cubes and glass in syrup mixture.

--Pour 2-3 oz of Bourbon over the ice and stir again. (I've been using Bulleit as it's tasty and relatively cheap, but use a bourbon you like the taste of, this is a drink which emphasizes the taste of the spirit) Obviously the more bourbon you put in the more pronounced the bourbon flavor will be. I tend to stick to about 2 oz with some over-pouring when I make them, so probably about 2.5 oz.

--If you want, add an orange slice and/or lemon peel (or slice, give it a try and see what you like). I typically forgo these garnishes.

I'd have to start with not much Bourbon, but this one's a classic and I'll definitely try it.

danago said:
I do enjoy a good cocktail, and also dislike them being too sweet. I went to a bar a few nights ago that has a list of 209 different types of gin (my current spirit of choice) and had an Elderflower Collins. I don't really know all that much about different cocktails, so I'm not sure if it is very well known, but I really enjoyed the flavours (although it was made a tad too sweet for my liking). It contained Gin, elderflower liquor, lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda.

That sounds very similar to the recipe I mentioned in the OP: gin, spicy liqueur, citrus juice, and something sweet. Elderflower liquor - never heard of it, I'll have to look into it!
 
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  • #27
Bacon? :smile:!

Yeah, a tumbler of vodka with a crushed up stick of bacon in it, a pickle on the side, that's a good drink too. Not really a cocktail in that foofy sort of way, more Russian I guess, but a good drink all the same.
 
  • #28
Travis_King said:
If you want to expand on Bourbon. Try the Old Fashioned (this is how I make them):
A friend and I made these for New Years Eve this year, inspired by Don Draper.

 
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  • #29
The most disgusting that I ever made was an "Over-the-Shoulder Abortion". It was technically a shooter, since it was downed in one gulp, but the exotic ingredients made it a cocktail for pricing purposes. The inventor, a friend, who was at the time the world women's heavy-weight arm wrestling champion, and her sister, drank 3 each within half an hour.
Made in a rocks glass, it consists of 3 oz. of tequila plus Tobasco, ketchup, cream, and a raw egg. I damned nearly puked just from making them.
 
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