Now it's time for New Year's parties. Well, alcoholic cocktails, as you know, prevail at festive events of any format: cocktails are drunk with pleasure in a nightclub, at home, and in a restaurant.
Today we have selected for you 15 most popular alcoholic cocktailsthat you can easily prepare yourself.
As strange as it may seem, all the cocktails that are so popular today are, in fact, a modern interpretation of classic drinks, or a modified version of medicines. This once again confirms the truth of the expression "Everything new is well forgotten old." However, some changes in the cocktail recipe did not affect their taste or their popularity.
15. Cosmopolitan
For the first time this drink was presented to the public in the 80s of the last century in one of the restaurants in South Florida. He began to gain popularity in the 90s, after the release of the famous TV series "Sex and the City" on the big screens. That is why Cosmopolitan is considered a truly feminine cocktail. Its composition resembles an improved version of the classic Screwdriver: vodka, Triple Sec liqueur, lime juice and cranberry juice. A characteristic feature of a well-prepared Cosmopolitan is astringency, which softens the taste of alcohol.
- plain or lemon-flavored vodka - 45 ml;
- orange liqueur Cointreau - 15 ml;
- fresh lime juice - 7-8 ml;
- cranberry juice - 30 ml.
14. Mojito
The history of this cocktail began back in 1586, when sailors from the expedition of Francis Drake landed in Cuba in search of cures for scurvy and dysentery. The Cubans provided them with such a medicine. It is from the ingredients of this medicine that the famous Mojito is prepared all over the world today. The popularity of this drink can be explained by the fact that the fresh taste of lime and mint perfectly quenches thirst and saves from the summer heat. White rum, sugar, soda, mint and lime in their combination will not leave indifferent lovers of low-alcohol cocktails.
- lime (as a last resort, lemon) - 1 piece;
- white rum - 30 ml;
- soda water (sprite) - 60 ml;
- sugar (preferably cane) - 1 tablespoon.
- fresh mint - 5-6 leaves;
- ice cubes - 100 grams.
13. Mai Tai
There are many versions of who is the “ancestor” of this cocktail. The first person to claim copyright is the owner of a California business. According to him, he prepared Mai Tai for friends who have just arrived from Tahiti. One of them was so impressed with the taste of the drink that he exclaimed "Maita'i" which means "very good." Since then, the name has “stuck” to the cocktail. Mai Tai is a symbol of Tahitian culture. It is a Polynesian fruit drink most popular in the western United States. It contains dark and light rum, lime juice and orange curaçao.
- white rum - 40 ml;
- black rum - 20 ml;
- orange liqueur - 15 ml;
- lime juice - 15 ml;
- almond syrup - 10 ml.
- ice;
- pineapple wedge, mint sprig, and cocktail cherry (optional)
12. Mint julep
Mint julep is considered to be the official drink of the main event in the US racing sport - the Kentucky Derby. This cocktail is a traditional variation on the uses of bourbon, which is produced in huge quantities in the southern United States. In the 18th century, the Mint Julep was a combination of whiskey, gin and brandy in different proportions, and it was only in 1938 that its modern variation appeared - with the addition of bourbon.
- bourbon - 60 ml;
- mint - 12 fresh leaves;
- powdered sugar - 1 teaspoon;
- water (still) - 2 teaspoons;
- crushed ice - 150 grams.
11. Caipirinha
In the early 20th century, the local population of Brazil used a special drink to fight the "Spanish flu". It consisted of cachasa (an alcoholic concentrate from sugar cane), sugar and lime juice. Now this drink is popular all over the world and is called Caipirinha. It is worth remembering that the cocktail is very tricky: the composition of sugar and lime "masks" the taste of alcohol in an amazing way.
- kasha - 50 ml;
- lime - 1 half;
- cane sugar - 2 teaspoons;
- crushed ice.
10. Margarita
Perhaps the most popular cocktail in the United States. In the classic version, Margarita contains tequila, Triple Sec and lime juice. Usually all ingredients are simply mixed in a mixer and served in special glasses with ice cubes. Some hobbyists like to experiment: instead of lime juice, they add any other juice. The story of Margarita is still not exactly known. It is only known that the birthplace of the cocktail is the southern regions of the United States.
- silver tequila - 40 ml;
- orange liqueur - 20 ml;
- lime juice - 40 ml;
- ice - 150 grams.
9. Pina Colada
It is believed that Pina Colada was first made by the bartender of the Caribe Hilton in 1952, just after the introduction of concentrated coconut milk on the market. It is coconut milk in combination with rum and pineapple juice that creates this incomparable original taste and aroma of the cocktail. For a long time, Pina Colada was considered the national Puerto Rican drink, but today it is the property of the whole world.
- light (white) rum - 30 ml;
- pineapple juice - 90 ml;
- coconut milk (Malibu liqueur) - 30 ml;
- ice cubes - 50 grams;
- cream (11-15% fat) - 20 ml (optional);
- a slice of pineapple or a cocktail cherry - 1 piece.
8. California
The California cocktail is one of the strongest of its kind and is another Long Island flavor. It contains vodka, rum, gin, tequila, orange liqueur and any citrus juice. The cocktail is decorated with an orange slice or "serpentine" from its peel. The taste of California is incredibly bright - a mix of sweetness and strength.
7. Long Island Ice Tee
Probably, this cocktail will never go out of style. Every year it is gaining more and more popularity, especially among men. A characteristic feature of Long Island "tea" is that there is no tea in it as such. The taste of cold tea is created by a combination of Triple Sec and Coca-Cola. The main ingredients of the drink are gin, vodka, rum and tequila. The origins of the Long Island Ice Tee are still controversial. This is due to the existence of several interpretations of this cocktail, popular in different parts of America.
- vodka - 20 ml;
- golden rum - 20 ml;
- gin - 20 ml;
- silver tequila - 20 ml;
- orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec) - 20 ml;
- lemon juice - 20 ml;
- cola - 100 ml;
- ice cubes - 150-200 grams.
6. Apple martini
The apple martini is the muse of all gourmets. The cocktail gained its popularity thanks to its bright and modern combination of dry martini and apple Schweppes (which in some cases is replaced with apple juice). A small amount of lime juice and an apple wedge complement the drink very exquisitely.
Fun fact: The apple martini is a favorite cocktail of the famous American comedian Conan O'Brian.
- vodka - 3 parts (30 ml);
- apple schnapps - 1 part (10 ml);
- Cointreau liqueur - 1 part (10 ml).
5. Bloody Mary
The cocktail was supposedly invented in 1939 by the American George Jessel. The author suggested mixing vodka and tomato juice as a remedy for a severe hangover.The modern International Bartenders Association recommends the following recipe:
- 45 ml of vodka (brand does not matter)
- 90 ml tomato juice.
- 2-3 drops of Worcestershire sauce
- 15 ml lemon juice
- Tabasco sauce to taste
- Celery juice to taste
- Black pepper
4. Screwdriver
The mixture of vodka and fruit juice was invented by American oil workers who worked in Saudi Arabia in the middle of the last century. In order to drink with impunity in a Muslim country, one had to be smart, and a screwdriver was born. The cocktail recipe is simple:
- 3/10 vodka
- 7/10 of any fruit juice
- Ice
- Orange slice for decoration
3. Martini Dry
The cocktail is named after its inventor, the famous Martini de Anna de Toggia. The classic recipe is:
- 50% vermouth
- 50% gin
Although today the combination of three parts of gin with one part of vermouth is more common. Decorate the cocktail with olive and lemon peel.
2. Daiquiri
The drink got its name in honor of the Cuban town of Daiquiri. The classic cocktail recipe is as follows:
- 9 parts rum
- 1 part sugar
- 4 parts lime juice
- ice
1. Tequila Sunrise
This extraordinarily beautiful cocktail was invented in the last century at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. The mixture of tequila, grenadine and orange juice got its name "Dawn" thanks to the gradation of colors in the glass, reminiscent of dawn. The Tequila Sunrise recipe is as follows:
- 45 ml tequila
- 15 ml Grenadine syrup
- 90 ml orange juice
Every day bartenders from all over the world come up with more and more new combinations, invent new tastes, each of which will undoubtedly find its own connoisseur. However, most people still choose classic cocktails. Whether it's vibrant California or a gourmet apple martini, they've all left their mark on the world's wine map. They say that you need to know the classics. And indeed it is.