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“Cocktails have evolved from a fashion phenomenon into simply a type of alcoholic beverage, available not only in restaurants and cafes but also in specialized bars,” he said. Cult Cocktails: 100 recipe Tips for bartending at home.
“But what’s even more remarkable is how cocktails have made their way into homes,” author Liquid Liquid writes.
“Today, novices and connoisseurs alike feel free to offer their guests a cocktail as a pre-dinner drink. It’s a playful ritual that inspires novices to recreate their favorite restaurant or bar cocktails at home.”
That’s where Cult Cocktails comes in, say the mixology experts at Liquid Liquid: “Cult Cocktails is aimed at both beginners who want to start their cocktail ‘practice’ without feeling overwhelmed.”
“And it’s perfect for the experienced enthusiast who will find tips and ideas to take their cocktail practice to the next level.”
Here are three classics that will liven up any summer party.
1. The French Martini – Not So French After All
origin: “This fruity cocktail was created at Keith McNally’s restaurant in New York in the 1980s. It belongs to the martini category of cocktails and its name comes from the shape of the martini glass in which it is served.”
“Therefore, there is no relation to the Dry Martini, whose flavour is at the other end of the spectrum. The French Martini, along with other drinks such as the Espresso Martini, are part of a more modern approach that represents the tastes of that decade.”
material: 50ml vodka, 15ml Chambolle liqueur, 25ml pineapple juice, 1 small slice of pineapple to garnish.
MethodChill a martini glass. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add ingredients, shake for 15 seconds, pour into a glass through a double strainer and garnish.
2. Negroni – Proud Bitterness
origin: “The story goes that Count Camillo Negroni was a regular at Caffè Casoni in Florence. This was in 1919, and the aristocrat would often drink an Americano as an aperitif.
“But when he returned from a trip to England and discovered gin, he asked the bartender, Fosco Scarselli, to adapt his usual cocktail by substituting a bottle of the English spirit he had brought back with him in place of soda water.
“The cocktail was an instant hit, and Scarcelli decided to honor the Count by naming the cocktail after him.”
material: 30ml red vermouth, 30ml Campari, 30ml gin, 1 orange slice to garnish.
Method: Fill an old fashioned glass with ice. Add ingredients. Stir with a bar spoon for 10 seconds. Garnish.
3. Pimm’s Cup – Quintessentially British
origin: “It’s the quintessential English summer drink, enjoyed at picnics and outdoor sporting events. The story begins in 1840, when a man named James Pym created Pimm’s No. 1, a refreshing digestive drink, for patrons in his London bar.
“The drink was so popular that Pimm’s decided to bottle and sell the base mix. Customers simply add some fresh fruit and lemonade, pour it into a cup, and voila! Pimm’s Cup!”
material: 60ml Pimm’s No.1, 100ml lemonade, 3 cucumbers, ½ orange, ½ lemon, ½ strawberry, 1 sprig of fresh mint to garnish.
MethodFill a highball halfway with ice. Add cucumber slices and fruit. Add Pimm’s and lemonade. Stir gently from top to bottom with a bar spoon. Garnish.
Extracted from Cult Cocktails, 100 recipes and tricks for the home bartender, by Liquid Liquid (Murdoch Books, £14.99).
