5 Cocktails Every Man Needs To Know About
Style seems to always dip into the closets of the past, for present inspiration. What was once fashionable, will be again. Today, we’re seeing the same in other, even unlikely areas, such as the cocktail.
Today we’ll look at 5 classic cocktails that every guy should know how to make. If not to entertain, for his own sanity and enjoyment.
There’s nothing quite like sitting down at the desk, late at night, old fashion in hand, working on something you love to do.
The list is comprised of my 5 favorites. I’m a darker liquor fan. I like whiskey, and bourbon. I don’t care much for gin or vodka. So classic cocktails like a Tom Collins, or a martini are missing. In their stead, however, are some wonderful replacements.
Most of the cocktails on this list are simple. A key point when discovering the world of cocktails. The best one’s aren’t the fanciest. You can taste the liquor. The additions are merely complementary points that go well with the base liquor involved: usually a bourbon, whiskey, or scotch.
If you have a personal favorite, or an alteration on one of the cocktails I’ve mentioned, please, leave it in the comments section. I’d love to hear about it.
One of the better Old Fashions I’ve had, at “the bar” downstairs at Andaz, 5th Ave.
1. The Old Fashioned.
When I have a cocktail, it’s almost always an Old Fashioned. It’s the original. It’s also one of the most abused and horribly made cocktails there is. It’s rare to have a true old fashion. I’ve seen lemon juice added. Ounces upon ounces of soda water, even sprite or 7-up!
After today you’ll know the true process of making the world’s finest cocktail. Next time you head to a bar and order one, and the bartender looks at you strange, instruct the man or woman on how to make this fine drink.
A quick note: the picture of me above is taken at a cigar club in New York called the ‘Carnegie Club’. If you’re ever in NY, stop by there on Sinatra night. You’ll hear some great music, sung by a true pro. You’ll have a solid old fashion, a lovely cigar, and a great night.
Preparation:
Put 1 sugar cube in glass.
Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters.
Add 1 splash of water (very minimal). Where some add soda water I think it takes away of the taste from the drink.
Muddle until sugar is dissolved.
Take an orange peel, fold it in your hand. Heating it with a lighter to warm the juices, squeeze some of the juices into the cocktail, then rub the heated peel around the rim of the cocktail glass. Then drop the peel into the cocktail glass (you can muddle the peel if you like a sweeter drink).
Fill glass with ice cubes (traditionally an old fashion calls for a few very large cubes).
Add whiskey or bourbon to the top of the glass, and stir.
Note: for bourbon, I enjoy Maker’s Mark. Canadian whiskey is a great choice for a dryer drink. Or a cheaper scotch.
2. The Manhattan.
Another classic and original. If I’m not having an old fashioned, and I’m drinking a cocktail, it’s usually the Manhattan. It’s as simple a cocktail as you’ll find, but sometimes there’s greatness in simplicity.
Take the following ingredients, putting them in a mixing glass filled with ice, stir until very cold. Then pour into a cocktail glass like the one shown above.
- 3 parts Canadian or Rye Whiskey
- 1 part Sweet (Red) Vermouth
- 1 dash bitters
3. The Whisky Sour
A recent addition to my preferred cocktail list, the whiskey sour is a lighter, sweeter version of the whiskey cocktail. It’s a great intro drink to the one’s above. If you’re just getting started in drinking cocktails, the whiskey sour would be a fine place to start.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz whiskey
- 1 1/2 oz lemon juice
- 3/4 oz sugar syrup
- maraschino cherry for garnish.
4. The Sidecar
A cocktail made with two French liquors. It’s another great into cocktail, like the whiskey sour, due to the strength of the lemon juice that’s added to the two French liquors.
- 3/4 ounce Cointreau
- 3/4 ounce lemon juice
- 1 1/2 ounces cognac
5. The Mint Julep
Just in time for the summer. The mint julep is a wonderful summer cocktail. It takes the heaviness of the other bourbon-based cocktails, and adds a freshness with the mint, sugar, and water combination. It’s a truly refreshing summer cocktail.
Ingredients:
- About 4 mint leaves, plus more for garnish if you like
- 1 tsp. sugar or simple syrup
- 2 to 3 oz. bourbon (Maker’s Mark)
- Plenty of crushed ice
Add the mint and sugar into a glass as shown above. Muddle until the sugar dissolves. The mint leaves and sugar will come together. Add bourbon and stir. Then add plenty of crushed ice and stir.
