A healthy respect for tradition isn’t that common in society nowadays. In music, art, and film, it always seems like we’re looking for a sugar rush, the next big thing, the hot new fad. One place where tradition has never really fallen by the wayside is behind the bar of your local watering hole, where classic drinks like the good ol’ gin and tonic and Bloody Mary are as popular as ever.
Old Favorites
But why go to a bar for the same old, same old, when you can make the old favorites at home? There’s a bunch of drinks, from the Manhattan to the Negroni, that have been mixed to perfection 1,000 times over, and using the magic of the internet you can easily take advantage of mixologist’s delicious attempts at the perfect cocktails at your home bar.
What’s Your Dream Bar ?
Anything from a marble-topped island where you drink from solid gold goblets to the kitchen sink where you sip your scotch counts as a bar. While either end of the spectrum might not be to your liking, you could do a lot worse than checking out the custom options at Dawnvale’s site. Dawnvale is a leader in the UK when it comes to installing amazing bespoke bars, and could be the missing link between you and a dream home bar where even James Bond would shake his martinis.
Three Classic Cocktails
As for fun drinks you could whip up at this dream bar, why not start with the aforementioned Negroni? While it’s not a mild cocktail, this uber-Italian favorite will impress as a continental alternative to more standard fare like the Mojito. You’ll need:
1 oz. London dry gin, 1 oz. Campari, 1 oz. vermouth rosso, and a cocktail glass. Mix in a cocktail shaker and shake firmly with some cracked ice. After, strain the cocktail into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with a small twist of orange peel.
The Manhattan is another long-established classic that has roared back into prominence. It’s not the most difficult cocktail in the world to make but has a strong and bold taste. You’ll need:
2 oz. rye whiskey, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Stir the ingredients with some cracked ice, straining afterward into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a brandied cherry.
A hearty drink, the Dark ‘n’ Stormy is said to have been designed by Royal Navy officers in Bermuda who were looking to make a cocktail included the ginger beer they were brewing to stave off seasickness. Ideal on a boat or dry land. You’ll need:
1 part black rum (Gosling’s Black Seal recommended), 2 parts ginger beer (any brand), and lime. Fill your glass with ice, add the run, then pour the ginger beer over it. Squeeze the lime to mix its juice into the brew, then garnish with the wedge.
