Craft cocktails have become an essential part of any home bar. Whether you’re an aspiring mixologist or a cocktail enthusiast, learning the basics of crafting cocktails at home can elevate your entertaining and impress guests. From classics to creative new concoctions, these recipes will make you feel like a pro in your kitchen. Here are essential craft cocktail recipes every home bartender should master!
1. Old-fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a timeless cocktail with deep flavours, ideal for whisky lovers.
- Ingredients:
- 2 oz Bourbon or rye whisky
- 1 sugar cube
- 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel (for garnish)
- Instructions: Muddle the sugar cube and bitters in a glass. Add whisky and a large ice cube, stirring until well-chilled. Garnish with an orange peel twist.
2. Classic Martini
A Martini is a staple for any home bar, with options to personalise it with gin or vodka.
- Ingredients:
- 2 oz. gin or vodka
- 1 oz dry vermouth
- Lemon twist or olive (for garnish)
- Instructions: Stir gin and vermouth with ice until chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist or olive.
3. Margarita
Perfect for any occasion, the Margarita is a refreshing blend of tequila, lime, and orange liqueur.
- Ingredients:
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1 oz Cointreau or triple sec
- Salt for rim (optional)
- Lime wheel (for garnish)
- Instructions: Run a lime wedge around the glass rim and dip in salt. Shake tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau with ice, strain into the glass, and garnish with a lime wheel.
4. Negroni
A sophisticated Italian cocktail, the Negroni is a mix of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth.
- Ingredients:
- 1 oz gin
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz. sweet vermouth
- Orange twist (for garnish)
- Instructions: Stir all ingredients with ice, strain into a glass with a large ice cube, and garnish with an orange twist.
5. Whisky Sour
The Whisky Sour is a sweet and tangy cocktail with optional egg white for a creamy texture.
- Ingredients:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Egg white (optional)
- Lemon wheel or cherry (for garnish)
- Instructions: Shake all ingredients without ice to combine, then add ice and shake again. Strain into a glass and garnish with a lemon wheel or cherry.
6. French 75
The French 75 combines gin and Champagne for a refreshing, bubbly cocktail.
- Ingredients:
- 1 oz gin
- ½ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Champagne (to top)
- Lemon twist (for garnish)
- Instructions: Shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice, strain into a flute, top with Champagne, and garnish with a lemon twist.
7. Mojito
The Mojito is a refreshing cocktail with mint, lime, and rum, perfect for hot summer days.
- Ingredients:
- 2 oz white rum
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Mint leaves
- Club soda (to top)
- Mint sprig (for garnish)
- Instructions: Muddle mint with lime juice and simple syrup in a glass. Add rum and ice, top with club soda, and garnish with a mint sprig.
8. Cosmopolitan
The Cosmopolitan, popularised in the 90s, remains a chic, tart cocktail made with vodka and cranberry.
- Ingredients:
- 1½ oz vodka
- 1 oz. cranberry juice
- ½ oz triple sec
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- Lime twist or wedge (for garnish)
- Instructions: Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with a lime twist.
9. Moscow Mule
A Moscow Mule is crisp and refreshing, typically served in a copper mug.
- Ingredients:
- 2 oz vodka
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- Ginger beer (to top)
- Lime wheel (for garnish)
- Instructions: Pour vodka and lime juice over ice in a copper mug. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a lime wheel.
10. Pina Colada
Bring tropical vibes to your home bar with this creamy coconut and pineapple cocktail.
- Ingredients:
- 2 oz white rum
- 1 oz. coconut cream
- 3 oz pineapple juice
- Pineapple wedge (for garnish)
- Instructions: Blend all ingredients with ice until smooth. Pour into a glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge.
Elevate Your Home Bar with These Cocktail-Making Essentials
Investing in quality bar tools is essential for any home mixologist. Equip yourself with a shaker, muddler, jigger, and strainer to make the cocktail-making process seamless. Don’t forget fresh ingredients and quality spirits to ensure that each cocktail tastes its best. With these classic recipes and a well-stocked bar, you’ll be ready to create impressive drinks for any occasion.
