Cocktails Recipe

Gather tools

Gather a shaker, mixing glass, jigger or measuring spoons, strainer, muddler or spoon, julep strainer (optional), four rocks or coupe glasses, and a small plate for rimming.

Chill the glasses in the freezer for 5–10 minutes while preparing ingredients.

Dry Martini (makes 2 servings)

Add 4 oz gin and 1 oz dry vermouth into a mixing glass filled with large ice cubes. Stir gently with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted. Strain into two chilled coupe or martini glasses. Garnish each with a green olive or an expressed lemon twist. Serve immediately.

Vodka Martini variation (makes 1 serving)

Fill a mixing glass with ice, add 2 oz vodka and 0.5 oz dry vermouth. Stir 20 seconds and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon wheel or olive.

Classic Sidecar (makes 2 servings)

Combine 2 oz brandy (substitute: use 2 oz of the vodka/gin split from the listed spirits if you prefer), 1 oz triple sec, and 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice per serving in a shaker with ice. For the two-serving batch, add 4 oz spirit total, 2 oz triple sec, and 1.5 oz lemon juice plus 1 oz simple syrup if you want a slightly sweeter sidecar. Shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds. Optional: rim the coupe glass by moistening with lemon, then dip into coarse sugar. Strain into two chilled coupes and garnish with an orange peel twist.

Whiskey Sour-style (Happy Hour Sour — makes 2 servings)

In a shaker, add 3 oz bourbon (not listed — optional add), 1.5 oz fresh lemon juice, 1 oz simple syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Add ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds, then strain into rocks glasses over fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Gin & Soda (makes 2 servings)

In two highball glasses filled halfway with ice, divide 4 oz gin (2 oz each). Add 4 oz club soda divided (2 oz each), stir gently once to combine. Add a squeeze of fresh lime to each, drop in a lemon wheel, and serve.

Tom Collins-style (makes 2 servings)

In a shaker filled with ice combine 3 oz gin, 1.5 oz fresh lemon juice, and 1 oz simple syrup. Shake briefly, then strain into two tall glasses over ice. Top each with 2 oz club soda, stir gently, and garnish with a lemon wheel.

For citrus twists: hold an orange peel over the glass and give a quick twist to express oils, then rub the rim and drop it in. For rimming glasses: wet rim with lemon, then dip in coarse salt or sugar as desired.

Taste and adjust: if a cocktail tastes too strong, add 0.25–0.5 oz simple syrup or a splash more citrus. If too sweet, add a dash more bitters or a small squeeze of lemon/lime.

Serve: present cocktails immediately while chilled. Keep extra club soda on hand to top highballs and fizzes.