For those of us who aren't giving up on alcohol, I thought I'd start a thread on cocktails. I've always been more of a beer/wine guy, but the last year I've been watching a lot of videos on YouTube for making cocktails and have been making a few to try out. For a long time, my go to was a margarita. Delicious drink and quite potent when made with a bit of a heavy pour. Recently, a coworker turned me on to Aperol, as she returned from an overseas trip where Aperol Spritz was a mainstay drink. I tried that and liked it and had always wanted to make a Negroni, so I made one using Aperol instead of Campari and really enjoyed the result. Anyway, thought I'd share some of my recipes.
Margarita
2 ounces (60ml) of Tequila (sometimes I like blanco and sometimes anejo, depends on the mood). Use good 100% agave tequila (Patron, Espolon, whatever your preference is).
1 ounce of orange liqueur (sometimes I use orange curacoa and sometimes I use Gran Marnier
Juice of 1/2 fresh lime
1/2 ounce (15ml) or less depending on taste of agave syrup
Shake with ice for 20 - 25 seconds, dump into margarita glass that either has a salted rim, or sprinkle salt on top of the drink (if you prefer, double strain as you pour into the glass to remove further dilution)
Aperol Spritz
Traditional is a 1-1-1 recipe using Aperol, Prosecco and club soda. I prefer:
2 ounces (60ml) Aperol
1 ounce (30ml) prosecco
1 ounce (30ml) club soda
Juice of 1/4 to 1/2 fresh orange
Add ice to glass, pour in alcohol and lightly stir with bar spoon. Garnish with a fresh orange slice. Enjoy.
Aperol Negroni
The classic Negroni uses Campari, a very bitter and herbaceous citrus liqueur. I sub in Aperol which is slightly sweeter, less herbaceous and less bitter.
2 ounces (60ml of Aperol)
1 ounce (30ml) dry gin
1 ounce (30ml) sweet vermouth
add ice to cocktail mixing glass, add alcohol and stir with a bar spoon until nicely chilled. Strain into a tumbler with one big ice cube. Cut a piece of orange peel and spritz over glass, then drop inside. The oil from the orange peel is essential to this drink.
Okay, those are my favorites. Let's see what you got
Margarita
2 ounces (60ml) of Tequila (sometimes I like blanco and sometimes anejo, depends on the mood). Use good 100% agave tequila (Patron, Espolon, whatever your preference is).
1 ounce of orange liqueur (sometimes I use orange curacoa and sometimes I use Gran Marnier
Juice of 1/2 fresh lime
1/2 ounce (15ml) or less depending on taste of agave syrup
Shake with ice for 20 - 25 seconds, dump into margarita glass that either has a salted rim, or sprinkle salt on top of the drink (if you prefer, double strain as you pour into the glass to remove further dilution)
Aperol Spritz
Traditional is a 1-1-1 recipe using Aperol, Prosecco and club soda. I prefer:
2 ounces (60ml) Aperol
1 ounce (30ml) prosecco
1 ounce (30ml) club soda
Juice of 1/4 to 1/2 fresh orange
Add ice to glass, pour in alcohol and lightly stir with bar spoon. Garnish with a fresh orange slice. Enjoy.
Aperol Negroni
The classic Negroni uses Campari, a very bitter and herbaceous citrus liqueur. I sub in Aperol which is slightly sweeter, less herbaceous and less bitter.
2 ounces (60ml of Aperol)
1 ounce (30ml) dry gin
1 ounce (30ml) sweet vermouth
add ice to cocktail mixing glass, add alcohol and stir with a bar spoon until nicely chilled. Strain into a tumbler with one big ice cube. Cut a piece of orange peel and spritz over glass, then drop inside. The oil from the orange peel is essential to this drink.
Okay, those are my favorites. Let's see what you got