Happy Fridayyyy! Today I'm wrapping up EXTENDING my birthday week by sharing five of my all-time favorite cocktail recipes. You may recognize most of these from the blog because I've shared four of them in the past, and two of them are my original recipes!
These all contain easy-to-find ingredients that you may already have on hand. I hate when a cocktail looks so good and then it has some random, expensive ingredient that you know you're never gonna use again. The most "random" ingredients I'm including today are Chambord and St. Germain, both of which are liqueurs that are staples for me - they elevate a lot of drinks, and there are a lot of fun and simple cocktail recipes that include them!
I reference honey simple syrup in a few of these recipes which is just simple syrup made of honey instead of cane sugar, like traditional simple syrup. It's easier to make, too. Just combine equal parts honey and boiling water (you pick the amounts depending on how much you want to make) in a glass container and whisk until all of the honey is dissolved. I also love using this ingredient in tea and coffees! It's great for iced drinks because there's nothing to dissolve.
Without any further ado, let's make some cocktails!
 |
| image via Liquor.com |
Bramble
This is probably my all-time favorite, tried and true cocktail. It's low in volume and high in flavor. Like a grown up raspberry lemonade! Plus, it presents beautifully.
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed (I juice half a lemon)
- 2 teaspoons simple syrup (I use honey simple syrup)
- 1/2 ounce Chambord black raspberry liqueur
- Lemon slice and fresh blackberry to garnish
Shake gin, lemon juice, and syrup with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over ice and top with Chambord. Garnish with lemon and blackberry.
 |
| image via Waiting on Martha |
Pretty in Pink
This is the first cocktail I ever made that made me go WOW this is good! I made it for my family on my birthday a few years ago and everyone loved it.
- 2 ounces vodka (I use gin)
- 1 ounce St. Germain elderflower liqueur
- Juice of half a grapefruit
- Juice of half a lemon
- Sprig of rosemary to garnish (I skip this)
Shake vodka (or gin), St. Germain, and juices over ice. Strain into a glass over ice and garnish with rosemary (you could also use thyme, or a lemon slice).
Honey Basil Grapefruit Fresca
This is my own version of my favorite cocktail from a local restaurant, Clementine. I think I hit the nail on the head! It's a refreshing cocktail for summertime when basil is abundant, and everyone loves drinking out of a martini glass.
- 2 ounces vodka (you could also use gin)
- Juice of 1/2 grapefruit
- 1/2 ounce honey simple syrup
- 2 large, or 3 small basil leaves, plus extra to garnish
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until cold. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a small basil leaf.
Poinsettia
This cocktail looks innocent and pretty, but it's for real - so strong! I tell this story on my blog post about it, but this ish got me the most drunk I've ever been, and knocked my brother out at family Thanksgiving too. 😂 That being said, it's a super refreshing and festive cocktail - just don't have more than one or two.
- 1/2 ounce citrus vodka (or plain)
- 1/2 ounce triple sec
- 1 ounce 100% cranberry juice
- Prosecco
- Cranberries and orange slices to garnish
Make sure that all ingredients are thoroughly chilled before making your cocktail. Combine vodka, triple sec, and cranberry juice in a champagne flute. Top with prosecco and stir gently to combine. Garnish with cranberries and an orange slice.
 |
| image via Town and Country |
Morse Code
This cocktail is the newest one to me on this list, but it truly impressed me! I debated making it because I'm not always a fan of rum, but it's seriously like a beach vacation in a glass!
- 1 1/2 ounces light rum
- 1/2 ounce pineapple rum
- .1 ounce lime juice (I use the juice of half a lime)
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup (I use honey simple syrup, usually more around 1/2 an ounce)
- 1 muddled strawberry, plus another to garnish
In a cocktail shaker, muddle a strawberry. Add rums, lime juice, and simple syrup and shake to combine. Strain into a chilled Nick and Nora, Martini, or coupe glass. Garnish with a strawberry.
xoxx, Laura
Shop my favorite glassware:
This post contains affiliate links.
No comments