We want to encourage people to have more fun with drinkmixing at home. To try, to dare and to know that truly great doesn’t neccessarily mean truly complicated.
Don't you have all the bartender tools at home? Don’t worry, there are always good alternatives that you probably will have at home.
No shaker? Use an empty glass can and a lid. Works for both shaken and stirred drinks.
No bar strainer or fine-strain? Use a tea strainer. Just as efficient.
No zest iron? Use your potatoe-peeler.
No barspoon? Then use a teaspoon with a longer shaft for measuring and stirring.
Impress your friends by starting with these simple and delicious drinks signed by visionary bartender Joe McCanta.
A VERANDA MOMENT
4 PARTS ABSOLUT VODKA
6 PARTS LEMONADE
3 BLACKBERRIES
Shake all ingredients with ice and pour (without straining) into a long drink glass. Garnish with fresh blackberries and a lavender sprig.
TWISTS
For a more complex drink try substituting 2 parts ABSOLUT CITRON and 2 parts ABSOLUT KURANT for the 4 parts ABSOLUT VODKA.
For a great citrus twist, try with limeade (like lemonade but with lime) and shake with 2 sprigs fresh lavender.
LA MANGA
5 PARTS ABSOLUT VODKA
1 PARTS SWEET VERMOUTH
2 PARTS CHERRY BRANDY
(OR ALTERNATIVELY SWEET CHERRY JUICE)
Stir all ingredients with ice in a shaker and strain into a well-chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a piece of orange peel.
TWISTS
Try substituting any number of berry liqueurs for the cherry brandy.
For a spicy and layered version, add a dash of angostura bitters.
SWINGING ORIENTAL
5 PARTS ABSOLUT VODKA
3 PARTS BREWED JASMINE GREEN TEA
3 PEACH JUICE
SPLASH OF LEMON
DASH OF SIMPLE SYRUP
Build over ice in a long drink glass. Garnish with a bit of fresh peach peel.
TWISTS
For a straight up version, substitute fresh peach for peach juice and muddle with the rest of ingredients. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
For a more aromatic version, substitute ABSOLUT APEACH for the ABSOLUT VODKA.
CONEY ISLAND
5 PARTS ABSOLUT VODKA
3 PARTS SIMPLE SYRUP
2 PARTS LEMON
½ PARTS RICARD
5 BaSIL LEAVES
SPLASH OF SODA WATER
Place the basil, syrup and ricard in the bottom of a rocks glass and crush the basil with the back of a tea spoon. add the rest of the ingredients and build over ice. Top up with soda water. Garnish with fresh basil and a lemon twist.
TWISTS
For a beautifully citrus version, substitute ABSOLUT RUBY RED for ABSOLUT VODKA.
For a dryer (and more classic) flavour, substitute your favourite absinthe for Pernod.
RAZZLE DAZZLE
5 PARTS ABSOLUT VODKA
3 PARTS CRANBERRY OR POMEGRANATE JUICE
1 PART LIME JUICE
2 BAR SPOONS OF SUGAR
8 FRESH MINT LEAVES
8 FRESH BLUEBERRIES
(*OPTIONAL ADD 1 DASH OF ORANGE BITTERS)
Muddle the mint and blueberries with the juices and sugar in a shaker. Add the vodka and shake. Strain over ice into a rocks glass and garnish with seasonal berries/fresh pomegranate seeds and a mint sprig.
TWISTS
For a deeply berry version try with ABSOLUT KURRANT.
Experiment with any seasonal berries for different tastes.
