Cocktails, Anyone?
Story and photos by SHARON WHITE
Looking for the perfect aperitif to serve at your next party? Look no further. These three cocktail recipes will positively delight your guests. And might even earn you the nickname “Master Mixologist.” Cheers!
Cosmopolitan
The exact origin of the Cosmopolitan cocktail has been debated since the 1970s and variations of the pink drink abound. But the “Cosmo” skyrocketed to worldwide fame in the late 1990s when it became the signature drink of the fashionable and ultra-trendy characters on the hit television show “Sex in the City.” The drink — traditionally served in a chic martini glass — epitomized the glamorous New York City lifestyle.
Ruby Cosmo
In this modified version of the Cosmo, the key ingredient is 100% cranberry juice combined with its sweeter counterpart, cranberry juice cocktail. The 100% juice gives the drink a richer, less sweet taste and adds to its vibrant “ruby” color.
In a shaker with crushed ice, add:
½ lime, squeezed
2 oz vodka
2 oz cranberry juice cocktail
½ oz 100% cranberry juice
½ oz Grand Marnier
½ oz Grenadine
Shake and enjoy.
Vesper Martini
Gin or Vodka martini? Why not have both? The Vesper martini recipe was first revealed in author Ian Fleming’s 1953 debut novel Casino Royale. James Bond devised the drink while sitting at the casino table. In it, he specifies using gin and vodka — and famously instructs the bartender that it should be shaken, not stirred.
In a shaker with crushed ice, add:
2 oz London Dry Gin
1 oz Vodka
¾ oz Lillet Blanc*
Serve in a martini glass with a lemon twist.
*Lillet Blanc is a French white wine blend combined with macerated fruit liqueurs.
Paper Plane
The relatively unknown Paper Plane cocktail was created in Chicago in 2008 by renowned bartender Sam Ross. The drink is named after a song by M.I.A., titled “Paper Planes,” which he played on repeat in the bar while developing the recipe. Both bitter and sweet, the drink has become an instant classic.
In a shaker with crushed ice, add:
½ lime, squeezed
1½ oz Bourbon Whiskey
1 oz Aperol
1 oz Amaro Nonino*
Best served in a coupe glass.
*Amaron Nonino Quintessentia is an Italian herbal liqueur crafted by the Nonino family in Friuli, Italy.
