Jul 21, 20203 min read

Signature Summer Sips

When the heat gets unbearable, it's time to get the cocktail shaker out!

Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy.” ― Frank Sinatra

It was the first Saturday of July, and I made Cosmos for an evening soiree. I have never made Cosmos, nor have I ever ordered one, so when I got the ingredients together, I was shocked to discover the cocktail called for vodka and not gin. With no time to go to the liquor store, I made my version of Cosmos - with gin. My family seemed to enjoy the concoction, so, I would consider them a complete success. The next day, my mom, having liked my spin on a Cosmo, announced that we should try making a different cocktail every week, and I accepted the challenge!

With the goal set for July and August, I set out to find new recipes that no one in the house has tried and ways to make them my own. The drinks I ended up recreating include the Sidecar, a Bourbon Peach Smash and a Limoncello Lady. Each beverage has a distinct taste and requires different liquors and mixers. Of course, many would prefer to have a drink made in its traditional form, but if you don't have a full bar cart and are willing to try something new, there is nothing wrong with tweaking a recipe.

For example, in a recent video where I made each drink, I didn't purchase Bourbon for the Peach Smash, but I did have a bottle of Crown Royal - Canadian Whiskey as a substitute. A Limoncello Lady typically calls for Limoncello, lemonade and Prosecco. Instead, I replaced the sparkling wine for club soda and a splash lime cordial effortlessly, making a refreshing citrus cocktail on a whim.

Watch the full video here and continue reading for tips on stocking a bar cart.

As mentioned in the video, the first thing to invest in is a well-made mixing set. The one we had purchased on Amazon came with the shaker, a strainer, a muddler, ice tongs, a bar spoon, a multi-tool bottle opener, a bottle spout, and a double-side jigger. With a set such as this one, you now have the tools necessary to start bartending and can begin gathering the spirits needed to maintain a well-stocked bar cart.

If you are aiming for a nightclub level of entertaining, at least one bottle of each of the six base liquors will create a well-rounded bar. The six base liquors are Brandy, Gin, Rum, Tequila, Vodka, and Whiskey. Alongside the essential liquors, you should also have a couple of popular liqueurs on hand - Amaretto, Aperol and Cointreau being some of the most versatile. Of course, if it is not your intention to be entertaining, but mainly want to develop a personal selection, your bar cart should be stocked based on individual preferences. Lastly, you will also need a variety of mixers and garnishes. The basic mixers include lemon and lime juice, cranberry juice, tomato juice, tonic water, club soda, cola soda and lemon-lime soda. Also, be sure to have citrus slices, fresh herbs, maraschino cherries salt and sugar for garnish. To help, I prepared a shopping list should you like the suggestions given in the video.