Shaken or Stirred: What’s Your Poison?

Move over whiskey and tequila shots, this weekend, we’re going for all the fun cocktails.

With the wedding season round the corner, young brides and grooms to-be not only need to look their gorgeous best but also kick off on their first date in style.

We say ditch that glass of beer for a Martini or that peg of whiskey for a whiskey sour, and you’ll send across a suave message.

It’s best to play it chic and find out which cocktail suits you best, lest you’re caught on the wrong foot.

For those planning a get-together at home, it’s time to think out of the ‘glass’ and add an element of fun, flavour and punch to your regular whiskey, beer or vodka. The flavours of this festive season are sure to be accentuated with these superior libations. Lets take a look.

1.Cosmopolitan

Bringing out the Carrie Bradshaw in you, the Cosmopolitan is as urbane as it sounds. Made famous by Sex and the City, this fun, fruity cocktail is made with vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and freshly squeezed lime juice. To add a little drama to your drinking experience, garnish it with a flame that settles on the surface and makes the drink visually appealing. This pungent citrus will give a sophisticated start to your evening and is the perfect number to add a dash of panache to your date night.

2. Martini

Popularised by Bond, ordering a Martini is a fashion statement in itself!

A classy way to drink your gin, the Martini is made with gin and vermouth and garnished with an olive. However, before you order the ‘Bond’ drink, make sure to brace yourself with the Martini terminology.

You may have your Martini ‘dry’ with very little vermouth and more gin or ‘dirty’ with a dash of olive brine to add a salty savoury edge to this classic. Or if you want to bring out the Bond in you, have your Martini shaken (more agitated and diluted) not stirred (ingredients mixed with ice in a shaker).

However, Martini connoisseurs will vouch for the ‘stirred’ not ‘shaken’ Martini.

So whether you like it ‘shaken’ or ‘stirred’, we would just like to warn you, “One Martini is just right, two is too many and three is not enough”.

3. Bloody Mary

Tomato juice soaked in vodka to which a dash of Tobasco and Worcestershire sauce is added, makes for a breakfast drink.

This cocktail is so popular that there is even a Bloody Mary festival to celebrate this beloved drink. The Bloody Mary is an ideal brunch cocktail that is the perfect cure for your hangovers.

So if you are still nursing a hangover from last night, you know what to order.

4. Mai Tai

For all the dark rum fans out there, this Tiki classic is specially for you. The Mai Tai is tropical fruity drink, a cocktail of orange curacao, lime juice, orgeat almond syrup and 15-year-old Appleton. It makes for a perfect afternoon or an evening drink. We think that this variation of the Tahitian word for ‘good’ is great too.

5. Margarita

Move over tequila shots! This one’s for all the tequila-lovers who like to to enjoy their tequila sip by sip.

The classic Margaritas are made with tequila, lime juice and crushed mint. They come in delightful colours and flavours too like passionfruit, raspberry and watermelon margaritas. Quite a choice, isnt it?

When life throws lemons at you, use them to have tequila shots or save the tequila and make yourself some of these fun Margaritas.

6. Whiskey Sour

Made with bourbon, lemon juice, sugar syrup and egg white, the whiskey sour is a great and a refreshing way to drink your bourbon. It is one of the most popular sour drinks but the sweetness of the whiskey and the sugar syrup will complement the tartness.

Best had during dinners, we are sure that the whiskey sour will make you anything but sour.

In conclusion we would only say that whether its a wedding or a get together with friends, we’ve got you covered. There’s a cocktail for every mood and occasion. So just shake the tumbler and churn out some of these fun cocktails. Your favourite is just a shake and stir away.

(A freelance food blogger, Pranjali Bhonde Pethe aims at getting people and their favourite food closer through her blog moipalate. Email her [e-mail] follow her on @moipalate)