I very much enjoy making drinks. Finding a drink that fits my or another person’s mood or taste on a given night makes me feel good. It’s like cooking for someone, but with much less work, cleanup, and nearly instant gratification. So here are my favorite drinks to make:

A Classic Manhattan:

I love a good Manhattan on a night when the air isn’t too thick and I want something bold and smooth to complement my evening. I HIGHLY recommend using Templeton Rye for it’s unparalleled smoothness in a nice Manhattan. You’ll also see this in my Martini that I don’t shy away from using Vermouth. Vermouth is part of the cocktail and should be used as such, not tossed to the side as an add-on. I believe in stirring a cocktail like the Manhattan and Martini. Shaking provides an effervescence and edge that I’d rather have in a Margarita. Try stirring, it’s not as sexy as shaking and smiling at the ladies, but it makes for a damn good Manhattan.

Yeah, like that.

2 oz. Templeton Rye Whiskey

1/2 oz. Sweet Vermouth

3 Dashes Bitters (preferably Angostura but Peychaud’s is fine).

Stir with ice, strain into cocktail glass, garnish with maraschino cherry, Enjoy the Good Stuff.

Gin Martini:

I prefer Bombay Sapphire for it’s smoothness, lower acidity, and for its ability to taste good with three olives and Extra Dry Vermouth. Make sure when stirring that you get the drink as cold as possible. A warm Martini is an unfortunate thing. I

Nice.

prefer my Martinis dry, stirred, but with 3 olives. That’s just how I roll.

2 oz. Bombay Sapphire Gin

1/4 oz. Extra Dry Vermouth

Stir over ice until sufficiently cold, strain into cocktail glass, garnish with 3 of your favorite olives, Party.

Gin Rickey:

Sometimes I need something a little lighter and effervescent. The Gin Rickey solves all those problems.

Fill a Collins glass with ice, then add the following:

Refreshing.

2 oz. Gin

1/2 oz. Rose’s Lime Juice

Seltzer to the top.

Stir, garnish with lime, Feel good.

Anybody got any other favorite drinks/recipes?