Retro Cocktails You Need to Know How to Make
Once you’ve earned your culinary academy certificate, you’ll likely begin delving deeper into the dinner experience. You’ll not only want to craft the perfect meal for your guests, but make sure they have a delicious cocktail to go along with it too. While anyone can mix some whiskey and cola or pop a beer open, there’s an art to a wonderfully crafted classic cocktail. Here are a few retro cocktails that everyone should know how to mix:
Tom Collins
A Tom Collins is a refreshing drink made of fresh lemon juice, tonic or soda water, simple syrup and gin. While you can use any type of gin you have on hand, a classic Tom Collins is made with Old Tom gin. This variety is less floral tasting than most other gins and has a hint of sweetness. However, it’s tougher to find than your run-of-the-mill London Dry or even a Genever. Serve it in a highball glass, and garnish it with a lemon twist or a maraschino cherry.
Manhattan
Manhattans are best for people who genuinely love the taste of whiskey, because there’s not a whole lot else to it! This cocktail is made up of whiskey and vermouth, with just a dash of Angostura bitters and a lemon or cherry. Shake it up and serve in a chilled cocktail or rocks glass, as a proper Manhattan is served neat!
Martini
The martini has become a symbol of class and stature, but a surprisingly small amount of people actually know how to make a proper martini! A classic martini was made up of gin and vermouth, but a vodka martini is a popular alternative. Rather than serving this on the rocks, it’s either shaken in a cocktail shaker – a la James Bond – or stirred in a mixing glass with ice and strained into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist or olive.
Old Fashioned
Old Fashioneds are one of the most traditional cocktails, and are very similar to a Manhattan. This cocktail contains whiskey and bitters, just like a Manhattan, but is sweetened up a bit with a sugar cube and water or simple syrup. You still get the flavor of the bourbon or rye, but the harshness is mellowed out by being cut with the sugar. Serve Old Fashioneds in a rocks glass with a garnish of orange and cherry.
