Make your own drinks

Video: 10 Easy Cocktails To Make At Home

Content

To step
Method 1 of 5: Make alcoholic mixed drinks
Method 2 of 5: Serve alcoholic drinks pure
Method 3 of 5: Make your own cocktails
Method 4 of 5: Frozen cocktails
Method 5 of 5: Alcohol-free cocktails
Tips
Warning
Necessities

Imagine: the next time your friends come to your house for a fun night out, you can amaze them with your knowledge of drinks! Whether you want them to taste a special drink, completely pure or with ice, a mixed drink, a classic cocktail, a frozen cocktail or an alcohol-free variant, on wikiHow you will find all the recipes and tips for an unforgettable evening.

To step

Method 1 of 5: Make alcoholic mixed drinks

Mixed drinks are alcoholic drinks with only two ingredients (and possibly one or two other ingredients to decorate the glass with).

Gin tonic. Gin Tonic is one of the most popular drinks of all time, probably because it is wonderfully refreshing and surprisingly simple at the same time. To make a perfect Gin Tonic you need the following: a large, tall glass, lots of well-frozen, clear ice cubes, a lime, a chilled bottle of tonic and the best quality gin available. You make the drink like this:
- Roll the lime over the counter or table top with the palm of your hand to release the juice. Cut the lime in half with a sharp knife. Place one of the halves flat side down and cut into four equal parts.
- Take one of the lime pieces and squeeze the juice into the tall glass. Then drop the piece of lime into the glass. Now take the bottle of gin and pour two sizes (50 ml) into the glass. If you don't have a measuring cup, you can use the bottle cap. In that case, use three full caps and an extra dash.
- Now put as many ice cubes in the glass as will fit and mix the drink with a long spoon for a few seconds. Open the bottle of chilled tonic and pour 100 ml of tonic into the glass. Stir again to mix well the gin, tonic and lime juice.
- You can add more ice if necessary, until there is about 1 centimeter between the surface of the drink and the rim of the glass - do not add more tonic. Take another slice of lime and stick it on the rim of the glass as a garnish. Serve the drink with a straw if necessary.
Rum Cola. Another well-known mixed drink is of course Rum Cola. The taste can vary greatly depending on the type of rum you use. You can use plain dark rum, spiced rum, coconut rum, just whatever you feel like! The classic Rum Cola is prepared with light rum. And with a few drops of lime juice and a slice of lime for garnish you can make a Cuba Libre! How to make the perfect Rum Cola:
- Fill a tall glass with well-frozen, clear ice cubes. Measure out more than 50 ml of rum of your choice and pour the rum over the ice.
- Measure out 120 ml of cola from a brand of your choice and pour the soft drink into the glass. While pouring in the cola, stir the drink with a long spoon.
- If you want to make a Cuba Libre, add a few more drops of lime juice and garnish the glass with a slice of lime. If you used spiced rum or coconut rum, you can decorate the drink with a candied cherry.
Vodka Cranberry. A Vodka Cranberry is a delicious alcoholic snack. Its flashy color makes it a much sought after drink in bars around the world. Often it is made with nothing more than vodka and cranberry juice, but the original recipe also includes a splash of concentrated lime juice or lime syrup and a squeeze of orange juice, enhancing the flavor of the cranberry. This is how you make this drink:
- Half fill a whiskey glass with clear, well-frozen ice. Measure out 30 ml (or 50 or 60 ml, for a stronger drink) of vodka and pour it over the ice.
- Add 125 ml of cranberry juice and, if desired, a squeeze of lime syrup and a squeeze of good quality orange juice.
- Serve the drink with one or two straws and decorate the glass with a slice of lemon or lime.
Whiskey Ginger Ale. True whiskey aficionados may like you whiskey at most mixed with ice, but this drink is becoming increasingly popular thanks to its refreshing and at the same time rich taste. It usually uses Jameson Irish whiskey, but Bourbon or Rye whiskeys are also fine. This is how you make this drink:
- Fill a tall glass with clear, well-frozen ice cubes. Measure out 45 ml of whiskey of your choice and pour this over the ice.
- Open a chilled can of ginger ale and pour the contents into the glass. The glass should be filled to about one centimeter below the rim.
- Squeeze a lime wedge into the drink and then throw the lime wedge into the glass. Mix the drink with a long spoon and serve the Whiskey Ginger Ale immediately.

Method 2 of 5: Serve alcoholic drinks pure

Sometimes it is best to serve alcoholic drinks as pure and simple as possible. That way, the natural flavor and properties of the drink itself are best emphasized and you don't need any other ingredients at all.

Serve pure gin. Gin can be a difficult drink to drink neat, unless the gin is of exceptionally good quality. Still, good gin, served chilled with lots of ice cubes, can taste great on a hot summer day. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes and pour over some of the best quality gin you can get (Bombay Sapphire and Tanqueray are good choices, for example). Drip some fresh lime juice into the glass if you like.
Serve pure whiskey. The best way to drink whiskey strongly depends on the alcohol content of the whiskey and your personal preference. Whiskey with an alcohol content of more than 50% usually tastes better with a splash of water or a few ice cubes to dilute the alcohol a little so that the flavors stand out better. Whiskeys with an alcohol content of between 45 and 50% can be diluted with a little water or ice, or you can drink them neat - it all depends on what you prefer.
- Whiskeys with less than 40% alcohol are in principle intended to be drunk completely pure (undiluted, so without water or ice, and uncooled). Such types of whiskey are already distilled in the factory to a lower alcohol percentage and you do not need to dilute them further.
Serve pure vodka. Always place a bottle of vodka in the freezer for a few hours, or rather overnight, before serving. Freezing the vodka brings out the best flavor and texture of the drink. If possible, also put the glasses in which you want to serve the vodka (preferably with a capacity of 60 or 90 ml) in the freezer about an hour in advance so that they are nice and cold. Pour a shot of freeze-cold vodka (45 ml) into the chilled glasses. Do not add ice cubes. Before drinking the vodka, warm the glass in your hand for about two minutes. The vodka is then just right on temperature.
Serve pure rum. Really good quality rum is considered a great after-dinner digestif. Rum can be served neat, just like whiskey, with a splash of water (5 or 6 drops), or with ice - it really depends on your own preference. Rum is best served in a brandy glass - a brandy glass is a convex glass that tapers at the top, bringing the vapor, aroma and scents of the rum together at the top of the glass.
Serve pure tequila. Lower quality tequila is usually served in a glass that is specially designed for shots, but good tequila is best served in a brandy glass or in a similar glass that tapers at the top. To drink tequila neat, it is important that you first "preheat your mouth." A long gulp of tequila in one go is quite intense and the flavor of the drink is partially lost as a result. Therefore, warm your mouth first by taking a very small sip of tequila and slowly letting the moisture go through your entire mouth - including along your gums, over your tongue and down the inside of your cheeks. By preheating your mouth first, you will taste the subtle flavors of the tequila much better and enjoy it more.

Method 3 of 5: Make your own cocktails

A cocktail is an alcoholic drink of a slightly higher level - to make a cocktail you always need more than two ingredients, as well as a number of aids. With the right tools, you too will soon be able to mix the most flashy and professional drinks in an instant. Below you can read briefly the history of a number of classic cocktails that are now world famous.

Cosmopolitan. A Cosmopolitan is an ideal drink for a night out (or at home!) With your friends. This fiery colored cocktail became famous in the 90s for being the drink of choice for Carrie Bradshaw and the other actresses from Sex in the City.
Dirty Martini. The dirty martini as we know it today (gin or vodka, dry vermouth and olive juice) has been drunk since the beginning of the last century, but the cocktail only became known thanks to one man, and its name is of course Bond - James Bond. The spy has already ordered the cocktail (from the shaker, and not stirred with a spoon!) In many of his books and films. Make one yourself, for a swinging evening full of action! #Tequila Sunrise. The Tequila Sunrise gets its name from the beautiful layering effect created by the yellow color of the juice and the bright red color of the grenadine syrup. Making a Tequila Sunrise is not difficult at all and you are guaranteed to impress at a party!
Long Island Iced Tea. A Long Island Iced Tea is a fairly strong cocktail that is prepared with various alcoholic drinks. The cocktail was probably invented in the 1970s by a bartender in Long Island, New York. Wherever it comes from, the Long Island Iced Tea is now one of the top five most ordered cocktails in the world.
Sex on the Beach. A Sex on the Beach is a sweet, fruity drink with an intriguing, bold name.
Old Fashioned. The Old Fashioned is said to be the most classic American cocktail and that several versions of this drink have been served since the early 1800s. In recent years, the cocktail has made a sort of “comeback” as the default choice of the character Don Draper from the American drama series Mad Men. There are many variations of the Old Fashioned. Often pureed fruit or other unnecessary additional ingredients are added, but the classic version is characterized by its simplicity and elegance.
Mojito. Originally from Cuba, the Mojito is said to be one of the favorite cocktails of American writer and journalist Ernest Hemingway. A mojito is an ideal summer drink thanks to the spicy and refreshing combination of peppermint leaves and lime. The drink is therefore suitable for drinking during the day, for example during a summer barbecue, or during an evening dancing to sultry music until the small hours.
Margarita. A margarita is a refreshing tequila-based cocktail. The drink originally comes from Mexico, of course, but it is now drunk all over the world. The margarita is the most famous tequila-based cocktail and a Mexican night is not complete without a round of margaritas.
White Russian. A White Russian is a creamy, coffee-flavored, vodka-based cocktail, making it an ideal drink to end a dinner party. If you omit the whipped cream you get a so-called Black Russian; a somewhat lighter alternative.
Singapore Sling. The Singapore Sling was created in 1915, and the cocktail has been a topic of debate and a source of mystery ever since. It is said that the cocktail was first made at the Raffles hotel in Singapore, but even there they don't know exactly what the original recipe is, except that it is a kind of Gin Sling with one extra ingredient - and which ingredient that is. a mystery that has still not been solved. Today, there are many more ingredients in this drink, and it is still intriguingly delicious anyway.
Lemon Drop. Like the lemony liquid of this cocktail, the drink's history is a bit murky. Some say the cocktail has gained popularity in San Francisco, where it was promoted as a thriving new creation nicknamed "the girls' drink." Girlish or not, this flavorful cocktail is popular among both men and women today.
Tom Collins. There are several stories circulating about how this cocktail got its name. One thing is certainly true - the Tom Collins has his own rhyme, about the man who invented the cocktail. Below is a free translation:"My name is John Collins, chief at Limmer's café / on the corner of Conduitstraat and Hanoverplein. / My main task is to fill glasses / for all the young, handsome gentlemen who always come to visit us." But wait, you will say, the cocktail is called after allTom Collins - and not John! The explanation for this is that sometime around the turn of the century bartenders started using gin from the Old Tom brand for the cocktail and that is how the Tom Collins was born.
Daiquiri. The Daiquiri comes from the island known for its cigars, dancing and of course rum - Cuba. It seems that one evening a man by the name of Jenning Cox ran out of gin to serve his guests and then took refuge in the island's own heart-warming drink, the well-known rum. Let this drink take you to the paradisiacal white Cuban sandy beaches.

Method 4 of 5: Frozen cocktails

If you mix a classic cocktail in a mixing cup with ice, you get a so-called frozen cocktail. A frozen cocktails have the look and texture of a smoothy, but are of course much better!

Piña Colada. You've probably heard that song in English about a man who responds to a personals ad and then finds that the mysterious person who attracts him so much is his own wife. It is sung by Jimmy Buffet and below we have translated the most famous part of the chorus for you:"If you like Piña Colada, and like to get wet in the rain ..." Now you can conquer your own love again by enjoying this delicious cocktail together.
Strawberry daiquiri. A daiquiri with mashed strawberries will do very well at the edge of the pool, especially if you like sweeter, pink or red drinks. Get rid of that watery mess from the store. This summer you can make your own frozen daiquiri for the pool.
Frozen margarita. The first official machine to make frozen margarita dates back to the early 1970s. And now you don't have to leave the house for this drink either. You can just make it yourself at home!
Frozen Mudslide. If you like to eat ice cream and love alcohol, then a frozen mudslide (literally "frozen mud") is probably the best choice for you. This drink is called a "trio" cocktail because it is made with three different types of alcohol - Malibu rum, Kahlua and Bailey's. Lately, however, many bartenders prefer to use vodka instead of the traditional rum.

Method 5 of 5: Alcohol-free cocktails

An alcohol-free cocktail (also called a "mocktail" in English) is usually the non-alcoholic version of an existing cocktail, but there are also non-alcoholic cocktails that are created on their own, and therefore not according to a classic recipe but without the alcohol.

Before you start making an alcohol-free cocktail, read the tips below. A mocktail may not contain alcohol, but that is more than compensated for by the full flavors and the colorful and often funny appearance. Just making an alcohol-free cocktail doesn't mean you don't have to pay less attention to the rest of the ingredients or the garnish. When making a non-alcoholic cocktail, it is actually even more important to use good quality fresh fruit and juice (instead of juice prepared with thickened fruit juice), because the fruit is the basic ingredient in these cocktails.
- Use good quality fruit and juice. For a delicious non-alcoholic cocktail it is important that the quality and taste of the ingredients are as good as possible. Buy fresh fruit from a local vegetable specialist or market, and preferably fruit grown near you, rather than imported fruit. The juice must also be of good quality, with as few added ingredients as possible and preferably not based on frozen and / or concentrated fruit juice.
- Don't forget the garnish. The garnish makes a cocktail, and certainly an alcohol-free cocktail, complete, everyone agrees. Choose a garnish that matches the ingredients and use the embellishment to personalize your drink. Go crazy - everyone will envy you for your umbrella, your pineapple slice or your candied cherry!
Create a good basis for homemade cocktails. When coming up with your own recipe, always start with a solid foundation. An alcohol-free cocktail that is too sweet can easily be too much of a good thing. A good base for almost any non-alcoholic cocktail is 30 ml of lemon or lime juice mixed with just under 10 ml of “simple syrup”. After this you can let your creativity run free. Or add some spa red for a simple yet effervescent cocktail!
Try the non-alcoholic versions of some classic cocktails. If you are not really in a creative mood and would prefer to make a cocktail that you already know, but without the alcohol, there are many different recipes available. Cocktails with vodka in particular can be easily converted into an alcohol-free cocktail - vodka has a neutral taste in itself so you won't miss it that much if you leave it out of the cocktail. For example, the classic cocktails below are very easy to make without the alcohol:
- Safe Sex on the Beach. Just as tasty as the original drink, but so safe!
- Non-alcoholic Mojito. Mint, slices of lime and sparkling spring water ... doesn't that sound great?
- Non-alcoholic strawberry margarita. Try making strawberry margarita but without the tequila. You get all in the mood with it but don't get tipsy.
Virgin Piña Colada. Try making an alcohol-free piña colada. There's nothing like a poolside piña colada - and now your kids can drink their own piña colada while you enjoy the classic version.

Tips

If you are crushing ice in a pitcher, crush the ice first and add the other ingredients through the opening at the top of the pitcher. You can add more ice if necessary until the drink is the right consistency.
When mixing a drink, add the ice first, then the alcoholic drink (vodka, tequila, etc.) and then the other ingredients (such as the orange, cranberry, or lime juice).