When you get 10 people in a room with a shelf full of open tasting bottles, a selection of bitters and mixes, watch out! That's what happened last night at at the Mad Scientist Cocktail Class.
Following a demonstration by Connor Daren of 6 different cocktails ( see recipes below), and sample tastes of each one, everyone got inspired. Five empty glasses sat in front of them, a shelf full of open spirits, and a plethora of other ingredients just waiting for imagination to kick in. Within minutes, it was a frenzy as everyone selected a couple of spirits to then mix with a liqueur, a syrup, some bitters, a vermouth or a soda. Wow! Such creativity! And colours!
We all set to work experimenting, using recipes on iphones as guides, replacing and embellishing standard drink ideas. Chris decided to experiment with various gins and different tonics, amazed at how different they were. Jack Daniel's fans blended whisky with several different liqueurs including Chambord and Peach Schnapps (not together!!) and came up with some unusual and tasty concoctions. Chocolate vodka and Creme de Menthe made for a sweet cocktail that we all decided would be best served over ice cream or a slice of chocolate cake. A good time was had by all!
Sarah and Connor came up with this Bourbon Cocktail that received rave reviews. It's called "Good Thing I'm Standing - I Pulled this outta my A*!#%!" I think it needs to renamed - Southern Belle, pehaps....
1 oz. Russell's Bourbon
1/2 oz. Vermuccho Vermouth
1/2 oz Chambord
1 Dash Black Walnut Bitters
Stir with Ice, strain into a rocks glass. Serve with a large ice cube and an orange twist. Cheers!
Here are the other Cocktail recipes we tried.
All recipes are for one drink
- Have the right tools on hand at home - Cocktail Shaker, strainer, muddler, squeezer etc.
- Use pretty glasses. Presentation is important!
- Serve a Signature Cocktail to welcome guests at a party, or serve a sweet style cocktail instead of a heavy dessert after a meal.
- Keep it fun and experiment!
The St Germain and Bubbles
In a champagne flute or any pretty glass, pour an ounce of St Germain Elderflower Liqueur in, top with Prosecco, Cava, Champagne and serve. You can always add a cranberry for extra colour.
You can do this with any of your favourite liqueurs – like black currant, apricot, raspberry liqueur, or Chambord, Hypnotiq, etc.
The Pumpkin King
1 1/2 oz scotch
1/2 oz lime juice
1/2 oz pumpkin spice syrup
Dash of Angostura bitters
Top with ginger beer and garnished with a lime slice
Pour ingredients into a cocktail sharer. Shake all ingredients except ginger beer, strain then top with the ginger beer
The Bamboo
1 1/2 oz dry vermouth
1 1/2 oz dry sherry
Dash of Angostura bitters
Dash of orange bitters,
Orange twist.
Pour all ingredients into a Mixing Cup, Stir and Strain into a Glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
The (warm) Bourbon Milk Punch
1 1/2 oz bourbon
1 tsp simple syrup
2 dashes vanilla extract
4 oz half and half
**If making this cold, pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and garnish with grated nutmeg
For the warm version, heat over a candle ( Like a Spanish Coffee) gently rolling the glass.
The Holiday Stinger
1 1/2 oz Cognac
1/2 oz green Creme de Menthe,
Rim the glass with crushed candy cane
Pour ingredients into a Mixing Cup with ice, Stir and Strain into a Glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
The Oaxacan Old Fashioned
1 1/2 oz Reposado Tequila
1/2 oz Mezcal
1 tsp Agave Syrup
Dash of chocolate bitters
Garnish with a grapefruit peel
Pour ingredients into a Mixing Cup with ice, Stir and Strain into a Glass. Garnish with a grapefruit peel
The Improved Bees Knees
3/4 oz Hendrick sGin
3/4 oz Cointreau
3/4 oz honey syrup
1 oz lemon juice
3 dashes Angostura bitters
Garnish with a lemon twist and sprig of Rosemary
Pour ingredients into a Cocktail Shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a pretty glass. Garnish with a lemon twist and a spring of Rosemary
There’s Soooooo Many Cocktail Ideas out there! Find ideas online and in drinks magazines.
Have fun!