Drink recipes: Paradise

As one of the most fluently acquired drinks of the modern mixed drink persuasion, the Paradise cocktail is considered to be as unique as the individual that enjoys it and appreciates it, as a result. On the same wavelength as the classic “martini” the Paradise has proved to be a hit with cocktail drinkers around the globe. Although it’s origin is unknown, this amazingly diverse drink has been estimated by modern mixed drink theorists to have been innovated in the post 40s era.

The traditional drink consists of an array of ingredients which include: Apricot Brandy, Gin, and Orange Juice. The drink is very much prepared like the classic martini drink except it more subjective and may or may not be combined with the ice.

I decided to create my own original spin on the recipe without changing it dramatically, as a result.

Persian Paradise

4 oz. Gin

3 oz. Apricot Brandy

2 oz. Amaretto Liqueur

1 oz. Raspberry Liqueur

3 oz. Orange Juice

Combine the Gin, Apricot Brandy, Amaretto Liqueur, Raspberry Liqueur, and Orange Juice into a chilled cocktail glass and serve on the rocks with a maraschino cherry.

Drink recipes: Pegu

The Pegu is a cocktail which contains gin, cointreu, lime juice and angostura bitters. It was a signature drink of a social club written by the likes of Rudyard Kipling called Burma’s Pegu Club. This club was located just outside Rangoon – the former capital of Burma.

The Savoy Cocktail Book of 1930 by Harry Craddock featured the Pegu but was called The Pegu Club Cocktail.

The Pegu is considered to be a drink for days when the weather is hot and it is best served in a chilled glass.

The taste of Pegu is similar to grapefruit and some bartenders will use a twist of grapefruit peel or a slice of fresh grapefruit. It is more commonly served with a slice of lime in order to compliment the lime juice in the drink.

This cocktail features three of the five basic tastes: sweet. Sour and bitter.

Ingredients:

3 parts gin

1 part cointreau

1 part lime juice

Dash angostura bitters

Method:

Place ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake well and drain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Garnish with a grapefruit or slice of lime.

Drink recipes: Tom Collins – Part 2

The Tom Collins cocktail is an American cocktail that is not to strong and not to weak. there are many different variations of the drink and there is even a glass named after the drink. (Collin’s Glass) It is a glass tumbler that holds more then the normal highball glass, about 12-16 ounces.

The drinks that are variations of the drink Tom Collins all have a different first name but all contain Collins as well, such as ~

Brandy Collins

Phil Collins

Pedro Collins

Vodka Collins

Sandy Collins

Ron Collins

Michael Collins

John Collins

Jack Collins

Jose Collins

They all have their own recipes and ingredients that are used in them. Here is a recipe for the Tom Collins that is excellent ~

Tom Collins ~

2 oz gin

1 oz lemon juice

1 tsp superfine sugar

3 oz club soda

1 oz grenadine

In a shaker half full of ice add all the ingredients together, except the club soda.

Shake well.

Pour into a Collins glass filled with ice.

Add the club soda.

Garnish with a cherry and slice or orange.

Enjoy!

Drink recipes: Brandy Alexander

The Brandy Alexander is a cocktail with a sweet, strong punch. It is luxurious and creamy. It is a comforting drink due to the harmony between the chocolate and the brandy and the cream tones down the edginess of the liquors.

The Brandy Alexander became popular during the 20th century. It was supposedly created in 1922 during the wedding of Princess Mary and Lord Lascelles in London and is based upon an earlier gin-based cocktail which is simply called an “Alexander.”

The Brandy Alexander uses dark creme de cacao which is why it is sometimes confused with another cocktail called a “Panama” which uses light creme de cacao.

John Lennon was said to be a fan of this cocktail. When he was seperated from Yoko Ono in October 1973, he took off to Los Angeles to embark on what he called his “lost weekend.” This was eighteen months of wild partying with Keith Moon, Ringo Starr, Klaus Voorman and Harry Nilsson. Ringo Starr and Harry Nilsson also shared his love for the Brandy Alexander.

Ingredients:

1 oz brandy

1 oz dark creme de cacao

1 oz creme

Ground nutmeg for garnish

Method:

Pour ingredients and ice cubes into a cocktail shaker and shake well.

Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a dusting of nutmeg.

Drink recipes: Vesper martini

“Shaken not stirred, please.” was the line from Bond movie…why i mention that? of course the martini has its place today so popular due to our own Mr. James bond. and in-case if u haven’t still seen Casino Royale, then probably this wont make much sense to you.

you ask me the origin of this drink? i will say, The drink was invented and named by fictional secret agent James Bond in the 1953 novel Casino Royale.

so what is Vesper martini? of course its a cocktail. so lets start preparing one.

Ingredients

6 Parts Gin

2 Parts Vodka

1 Part Lillet blanc

Lemon Twist

Shake gin, vodka and Lillet with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

and there you go….you have the bond favorite martini on your lips.

The thing about serving the perfect martini even if its our classic martini, is that it should be chilled. its said by someone describing my above line as ” martini should be chilled to the point of anesthesia” and your serving glass has to be pre-chilled before straining the martini.

But regarding our dear vesper martini, the name vesper is just created by Mr. bond. And after getting its share of popularity along with females of Mr. Bond, its actually quiet become popular drink.

So, in Bond way:

“Three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it’s ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?”

-Casino Royale, Chapter 7

Enjoy your vesper martini!

Drink recipes: Chocolate soldier

The traditional recipe for the chocolate soldier is :-

1 oz gin

oz dubonnet

juice of lime.

You take the ingredients and put them in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Then you need to strain it into a martini glass to serve. This is a very strong drink.

Now for the people who aren’t keen on gin there are other variations on this recipe. At the billybubbles website they have a recipe as follows:-

1 part kahlua

1 part brandy

1 part dry vermouth.

Pop all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Now strain into a martini glass to serve.

If you don’t mind the gin, but dubonnet’s not your thing, then the people at bardrinks.com have the recipe for you:-

1 oz gin

1 oz chocolate liquor

oz lime juice.

Place all of the ingredients into a shaker with ice, do the “hippy shake” and strain into a martini glass.

Yet another version was found at hintsandthings.com, for this one you take:-

1 part brandy

1 part dry vermouth

1 part crme de cacao

a couple of dashes of orange bitters

Once again pop all of the ingredients into a shaker and shake well then strain into a martini glass.

Another recipe for people who don’t like their cocktails quite so strong, or just want to be able to walk out of the room in a straight line is as follows:-

2 oz dark rum

1 oz kahlua

cup of milk

No shaker required for this one, just put ice in a highball glass, add the ingredients and stir voila!

Drink recipes: Vodka martini – Part 1

There is nothing quite like enjoying a cool, crisp martini after a long hard day of espionage. At least this is what we learn from James Bond, the man who made vodka martinis famous. The martini is traditionally made with gin, and while that is my favorite way to enjoy a martini I also appreciate the crispness and versatility of vodka.

While vodka and gin martinis are quite similar, aside from their main ingredient, you should definitely not treat them as equals. The first thing to remember is that a vodka martini should be shaken, not stirred as gin should be, and served ice cold. When in doubt, remember Mr. Bond.

To make a vodka martini you will need:

1 1/2 oz of vodka

3/4 oz of dry vermouth

1 – 3 olives or lemon peel

Add the vodka and vermouth to a shaker filled with ice. Shake it until it chills your hand and smoothly pour into a martini glass. Garnish with olives or lemon peel and enjoy.

Once you get the hang of the basic recipe you can feel free to experiment with flavoured liqueurs and/or fruit juices. You can create your own signature martini or stick to the classic. A word of warning, the martini may soon become your drink of choice. Soon you will be saddling up at the bar ordering a martini like a pro with your very own set of instructions for the bartender. Just don’t become a snob about it, unless of course you are James Bond.

Great cocktails – Part 1

Not for the weak of heart the ‘3 Mile Island Iced Tea’ packs a punch but serves it purpose of being both delicious and intoxicating. Make it as follows:

1 part tequila

1 part citrus vodka (reg vodka will work as well)

1 part citrus gin

1 part triple sec

1 part Bicardi 151

1 part everclear

2 parts sweet and sour mix

Mix together and as you either strain/pour out (over ice), mix in your coke/pepsi. Top with lemon and/or lime wedge.

The obvious difference between this drink and the classic ‘Long Island Iced Tea’ is the substitution of Bicardi 151 for regular clear rum and the shot of everclear. Obviously, this is what gives the drink it’s kick. The citrus flavored vodka/gin help offset the 151 and Everclear. When mixed properly this drink is VERY GOOD but VERY STRONG so drink with caution and remember, bottoms up!

Drink recipes: Vesper martini – Part 2

Expand your cocktail horizons and try a Vesper Martini before dinner tonight! This is the drink the James Bond enjoyed in the novel and film, Casino Royale. Here is what you need:

1. 3 oz Gin

2. 1 oz Vodka

0.5 oz Lillet Blanc

Shake the ingredients in an iced cocktail strainer and pour into a cocktail glass. A proper martini is always shaken, not stirred. The Vesper Martini is best enjoyed ice cold. If not served ice cold, it may taste a bit like lighter fluid. The Lillet adds a bit more sweetness than a typical wine flavored vermouth, and the Vodka reduces the herbalness of the 3 ounces of gin. Add a twist of lemon (a strip of the peel squeezed to put citric oils on the surface of the martini) for the perfect garnish.

The Vesper Martini originated in the 1953 novel, Casino Royale about the fictional secret agent James Bond. the signature cocktail was only mentioned in the 2006 film Casino Royale when James Bond states that he named the drink the Vesper, because once he tasted it, it was all he wanted to drink. Bond originally named the drink afer his love interest, Vesper Lynd. The original recipe calls for Kina Lillet, but the usual replacement is Lillet Blanc, since Kina Lillet is no longer available for purchase.

How to Make Jello Shots That They Will Rave About