Cocktail Recipes

Anthony Tripp asked:




This summer, the mojito seemed to be the most talked about cocktail making it’s rounds on the home cocktail party circuit. I recently tried a mojito for the first time and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I would have thought that all that mint would make the drink taste like toothpaste but it’s actually quite refreshing.

Putting mint leaves in a glass and crushing them sounds more like something that a gardener would do to kill weeds. But after you mix those crushed mint leaves with sugar, lime juice and rum you can tell the gardener to take a hike. This way there will be more mojito for you.

I enjoyed my first mojito so much that I decided to experiment with some of the variations too. It seems like the easiest way to add different flavors to a mojito is to use flavored rums. The rum industry has taken its cue from the vodka makers of the world and now offers all types of new and interesting flavors. Take Bacardi Rums for example. If you limited yourself to use only Bacardi (not a bad limit), you’d still have lots of varieties to choose from. There’s Limon, Razz, Bacardi O, Bacardi 8, Grand Melon, Big Apple and I’m sure they’re doing market research on a bunch of new flavors as you sit here and read this.

When you go out to a bar, they’re usually stocked with all these latest and greatest flavors but it might be impractical for a home mixologist to buy more than a few varieties. I’m sure using any of those would taste great but who wants to spend all that money on a home bar. If you’re having a big party, then sure that makes sense. But for regular home consumption it’s probably best to try just one at a time and make sure you like them. I chose Bacardi Limon. Everyone likes lemony flavored alcohol so it made sense.

And I also decided to go the martini route. It seems like martinis are made from just about anything now a days. So why not try a Mojito Martini?

Mix the following in a half filled shaker of crushed ice:

1.5 measures Bacardi Limon

0.5 measure Absolute Citron

1/2 of a Lime, sliced

8 Mint Leaves

Shake well and pour into a chilled martini glass.

Garnish with some fresh mint leaves. And don’t fish the used mint leaves out of the cocktail shaker for the garnish.

The mojito is so versatile that even the Mojito Martini has a few variations as well. A great way to add a touch of class is to add a splash of Grand Mariner. This is a called a Grand Mojito Martini and it truly does taste grand.

The mojito is a great summertime drink that can add a little international zest to any of your cocktail parties. If you’re the type of host that goes that extra mile for his or her guests, then why not plant some mint in your herb garden in the spring. It’s an easy plant to grow and it’ll help you serve the freshest Mojitos, Mojito Martinis and Grand Mojitos Martinis and your guests will truly appreciate it.

Louis Gervais asked:




All too often newly married couples heave a sigh of relief when the reception is over. The feeling of being on display and the pressure of keeping to a rigid schedule of photographs, toasts, menu courses and speeches can be a stressful and unpleasant experience.

This generation of newlyweds is much less concerned with the “show”. They want to be able to mingle with family and friends, spend time with each other and above all, enjoy their party. As a result, many are opting for alternative and even unconventional ways to celebrate their nuptials.

In keeping with this trend, cocktail wedding receptions are gaining in popularity. The cocktail reception offers many advantages. The atmosphere is more relaxed and provides greater opportunity to circulate and mingle with guests. While the cost of food can be comparable to a dinner reception, rental and staff charges for cocktail parties are considerably less than for a sit-down dinner. There is also greater flexibility and more selection when choosing a venue. Heritage Inns, private homes and flower gardens are popular choices among those preferring the charm and intimacy of these venues to the formal elegance of halls and hotel ballrooms.

A cocktail menu also leaves much more room for creativity. Food can set the tone for the entire event and a selection of interesting and unusual bite-sized morsels and artfully presented platters is always sure to delight. The menu can treat guests to a culinary tour by starting in one corner of the world and ending in another. Or a themed menu can be carried right through to the drinks and decorations. Port glasses filled with fresh oysters, red wine vinegar and shallots, mini crepes stuffed with Thai chicken curry and fresh basil, warm squash dumplings with cranberry syrup - the options are endless and every guest is sure to enjoy something on the menu.

Tiny cupcakes decorated with pastel frosting are another popular item at weddings. Arranged on tiered silver tea trays with white lace doilies, they are a perfect cocktail alternative to a traditional wedding cake. Other ideas could include small chocolate cups filled with mousse and fresh raspberries, mini French pastries or profiteroles stuffed with caramelized bananas.

Clearly the advantages of a cocktail reception are abundant. But overwhelmingly couples report that what they appreciate most is being able to relax and enjoy the party… and each other.

Sarah Martin asked:




Cocktail coasters are used for more than just protecting your coffee table from rings and stains they are used to promote businesses, services, and causes of all sorts. Many people also have custom cocktail coasters made up to celebrate something like an anniversary or a wedding. They are an amusing type of business card that is also quite practical.

Cocktail coasters (http://www.thirstycoasters.com/servlet/-strse-Hope%20For%20The%20Cure/Categories) come in all kinds of materials. The diversity of materials is quite amazing. They have come a long way since they were made only out of wood. One of the most familiar materials is glossy board. These are heat resistant because they are covered with a glossy coating. You can print anything on this type of coaster - even a photograph. These come in square shapes or round cut out shapes. You can even get them in the shape of stars.

Another old standby is the cork coaster. These are cheap, classic and are usually small cut out circles. The advertisement is usually sealed on to the cork in some way. They can also be made out of thin rubber and the promotional message can be stamped on it. These are sometimes called no slip coasters.

Another popular type of coaster is the promotional 3D aluminum coaster. These are made of gold, silver or copper and are very cheap. They come in all kinds of shapes including round or circular as well. These can be quite elegant and classy looking.

Leather coasters can also be quite elegant looking especially if you want to stamp or print them with some type of seal. The seal is usually in gold or silver printing. You can also usually get these in all kinds of different colors as well with black and green being the most popular.

Even more elegant are the promotional ceramic coasters. These are round white coasters that will last a long time. They make a good gift because they do not get ruined easily so if you want the message on your coaster to persist then choose the porcelain materials.

A more casual choice is PVC. These are floppy non stick coasters that have an image or message imprinted on them. They also usually last a very long time and are easy to clean. Be careful not to spill alcohol on these types of beverage coasters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSoAwLgfwn0) as that can lead to the imprint sliding off. You can get these in many different colors as well. Gold imprints look good on a dark PVC coaster.

If you really want a unique look then try for coasters that are made from see through acrylic. These can be etched with the logo that you have in mind or you can have your logo or business card sandwiched in between layers of acrylic. The insert can be printed in full color and the effect can be very impressive.

Most promotional companies can give you the very latest graphic computer technology in order to make these coasters look as professional as possible. They do not cost a lot and they are a good way to get your word out about your business.

Paul Lopez asked:




Taps originated in Spain many years ago. Tapa literally means lid and it started as a bit of bread placed over a glass of wine or beer to keep the flies at bay. Later little bit is food were placed on the bread as a way of making it appear a little brighter and this is how tapas as we know it today was born.

If you have never been in a tapas bar or restaurant then you may need some tips on some of the more famous and popular dishes that you will see.

There are usually three different sized portions, tapas which is a small portion, media racion which is a half of a main portion and racion which is a full portion.

Gambas Pil Pil – This is a very popular dish and is basically sizzling prawns in a dish of hot olive oil, dried chillies and garlic slices.

Albondigas – This means meatballs and there are two ways you will see this served either with an almond based sauce or with a spicy tomato sauce.

Queso Manchego – This a Spanish sheep’s cheese with a unique flavour and you can usually get semi-cured which is a little lighter in flavour or cured which had a good deep favour.

Calamares – This is a very popular dish, usually eaten at lunchtime but always available throughout the day. It is squid rings deep fried in batter and served with lemon wedges and garlic mayonnaise.

Boquerones – These are usually pickled anchovies which are served on their own as they have a distinct and tangy flavour.

Croquetas – These are what we know as croquettes and are filled with either cheese, potato and ham or with seafood.

Hopefully the above has given you some tips on what to order if it is your first time eating tapas. But be warned this type of food quickly becomes addictive and you will find yourself missing it when you return home.