Five Cool & Fruity Cocktails You Can Make At Home
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Russ_Moore]Russ Moore
Whether you are entertaining friends and family
or you are simply chillin' by the pool, with the TV,
or curled up with a book, a good drink can almost
always make it a more enjoyable experience.
Take it from a trained and practiced intoxicologist,
the true personality steps out from behind the mask
and life comes in as though you were looking through
different eyes.
Before I go on let me say that I do not encourage
alcoholism. I do encourage that everyone drink in
moderation - and NEVER before driving.
That said, let's learn five very easy and delicious
drinks you can make and enjoy in the comfort of your
own home with minimal bar stock and/or equipment.
All of these drinks use vodka as the kicker so you
won't have to spend much time or money at the liquor
store stocking up on a wide variety of ingredients.
Now - let's get started.
Apple Martini - Tasty and refreshing
Ingredients:
1oz Apple Schnapps
1oz Vodka
1oz Apple Juice
Directions:
Pour all ingredients over ice into a mixing glass or
shaker - stir or shake until mixed and cold - strain
into a stemmed cocktail glass.
Kiwi Martini - Delicious and nutritious
Ingredients:
1 kiwi (peeled and sliced)
1/2 teaspoon of sugar
2oz Vodka
Directions:
Put sliced kiwi (save one slice to garnish) and sugar
into the bottom of your mixing glass or shaker and
crush to pulp with a muddler or back of a spoon. Add
ice. Add vodka. Stir or shake until well mixed - strain
into stemmed cocktail glass. Garnish - slice of kiwi.
Strawberry Martini (same as above - replace kiwi
with 3-5 strawberries and mix exactly the same way)
The last two drinks are great for those who do NOT
like the taste of alcohol, as the juices completely
mask it's taste.
Sea Breeze
Ingredients:
2oz Vodka
Cranberry Juice
Grapefruit Juice
Directions:
Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour vodka. Fill 2/3
with cranberry juice. Fill with grapefruit juice.
Garnish with lime. Enjoy.
Madras
Ingredients:
2oz Vodka
Cranberry Juice
Orange Juice
Directions:
Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour vodka. Fill with
equal parts cranberry and orange juice. Garnish with
an orange slice. Yummy.
There you go. Five cool & fruity cocktails you can
make at home. Make a quick stop for supplies then mix
and enjoy them anytime you wish.
Russ Moore: Part-Time Marketer, Part-Time Writer,
Part-Time Bartender and Full-Time Crazy. He's an
information junkie and "jack of all trades" who
shares knowledge with his twisted, loyal readers.
Russ recommends http://www.FeedYourHungryWallet.ws
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Five-Cool-and-Fruity-Cocktails-You-Can-Make-At-Home&id=300119] Five Cool & Fruity Cocktails You Can Make At Home
High Calorie Alcoholic Cocktails - Diet Busting Drinks to Avoid
High Calorie Alcoholic Cocktails - Diet Busting Drinks to Avoid
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shane_Dayton]Shane Dayton
If you enjoy your mixed drinks but are on a diet, finding a tasty low calorie alcoholic drink can be difficult. Many of the most popular mixed drink recipes are high calorie recipes, and it doesn't take many to bust a diet wide open. Many mixed cocktails are high in both calories and sugar, making them a poor choice for anybody who is watching the waistline.
Losing that weight might be important, but plenty of people want to have the diet and still enjoy a couple of great drinks to reward themselves on the weekend. Keeping alcohol and the diet is as much about avoiding the unhealthy high calorie mixed drinks as it is about finding the proper low calorie substitutes.
There are many unhealthy mixed cocktails, but there are several that are the worst offenders. The thing to look for is both calories and sugars. While there is no unbreakable rule of thumb as far as determining the good drinks from the not so good, there are several things to look out for.
What to Watch for:
1. Drinks heavy in sugary colas or sugary juice. These pack on the sugars and the calories.
2. Any frozen/creamy mixed drinks (all of these tend to be extremely heavy in both calories and sugars)
3. Drinks with high calorie mixers (think anything mixed with eggnog)
4. Alcohol high in calories and sugar (anything with Creme de Menthe, for example, is going to be packed)
Each drink needs to be considered separately, as it's not uncommon to have two related drinks with vastly different calorie counts. For example, in the "martini" family you have the appletini, which is a very popular choice for a lower calorie alcoholic mixed drink, but a chocolatini is actually one of the absolute worst drinks out there as far as calories and sugars. Some versions of the chocolatini are bursting at the seams around the 500 calorie mark for just one.
A Long Island Iced Tea is loaded in the same way because of the sheer amount of higher calorie shots mixed into the drink. For large drinks like that, the alcohol calories really add up. Anything added to eggnog, like the holiday favorite of rum & eggnog, is a diet buster, as are tropical drinks like the famous pina coladas.
There are plenty of options for people who want a tasty alcoholic cocktail without busting a diet wide open, but the listed drinks from the articles are some of the mixed drinks that you will want to avoid.
If you would like to learn more about low and high calorie mixed drinks, please feel free to visit my website on [http://hubpages.com/hub/Low-Calorie-Alcoholic-Drinks]low calorie alcohol drinks
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?High-Calorie-Alcoholic-Cocktails---Diet-Busting-Drinks-to-Avoid&id=1445552] High Calorie Alcoholic Cocktails - Diet Busting Drinks to Avoid
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shane_Dayton]Shane Dayton
If you enjoy your mixed drinks but are on a diet, finding a tasty low calorie alcoholic drink can be difficult. Many of the most popular mixed drink recipes are high calorie recipes, and it doesn't take many to bust a diet wide open. Many mixed cocktails are high in both calories and sugar, making them a poor choice for anybody who is watching the waistline.
Losing that weight might be important, but plenty of people want to have the diet and still enjoy a couple of great drinks to reward themselves on the weekend. Keeping alcohol and the diet is as much about avoiding the unhealthy high calorie mixed drinks as it is about finding the proper low calorie substitutes.
There are many unhealthy mixed cocktails, but there are several that are the worst offenders. The thing to look for is both calories and sugars. While there is no unbreakable rule of thumb as far as determining the good drinks from the not so good, there are several things to look out for.
What to Watch for:
1. Drinks heavy in sugary colas or sugary juice. These pack on the sugars and the calories.
2. Any frozen/creamy mixed drinks (all of these tend to be extremely heavy in both calories and sugars)
3. Drinks with high calorie mixers (think anything mixed with eggnog)
4. Alcohol high in calories and sugar (anything with Creme de Menthe, for example, is going to be packed)
Each drink needs to be considered separately, as it's not uncommon to have two related drinks with vastly different calorie counts. For example, in the "martini" family you have the appletini, which is a very popular choice for a lower calorie alcoholic mixed drink, but a chocolatini is actually one of the absolute worst drinks out there as far as calories and sugars. Some versions of the chocolatini are bursting at the seams around the 500 calorie mark for just one.
A Long Island Iced Tea is loaded in the same way because of the sheer amount of higher calorie shots mixed into the drink. For large drinks like that, the alcohol calories really add up. Anything added to eggnog, like the holiday favorite of rum & eggnog, is a diet buster, as are tropical drinks like the famous pina coladas.
There are plenty of options for people who want a tasty alcoholic cocktail without busting a diet wide open, but the listed drinks from the articles are some of the mixed drinks that you will want to avoid.
If you would like to learn more about low and high calorie mixed drinks, please feel free to visit my website on [http://hubpages.com/hub/Low-Calorie-Alcoholic-Drinks]low calorie alcohol drinks
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?High-Calorie-Alcoholic-Cocktails---Diet-Busting-Drinks-to-Avoid&id=1445552] High Calorie Alcoholic Cocktails - Diet Busting Drinks to Avoid
Strange Cocktail Combinations
Strange Cocktail Combinations
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shauna_Hanus]Shauna Hanus
Mixed drinks or cocktails have taken a strange turn in recent years. In the past it was the worm in the bottom of the tequila bottle today it’s combinations that include everything from bubblegum to pickled octopus. If you are adventurous and want to veer from the ordinary here are some combinations to get your evening started.
Liquor Drinks
• Irish Liquor, Amaretto, cream and mint.
• Grand Marnier with horseradish infused vodka with a rare slice of beef tenderloin garnish.
• Frangelico, crème de cocoa blended with peanut butter served over ice.
Rum Drinks
• Dark rum blended with peeled and seeded avocado, cream, lime juice and sugar.
Sake Drinks
• Sake, brown sugar, club soda, pineapple juice and celery garnish.
Vodka Drinks
• Potato vodka with garlic stuffed green olives.
• Vanilla vodka, bourbon, vanilla bean paste and lime juice garnished with fresh rhubarb studded with peppercorns.
Martinis
• Gin martini garnished with a pickled octopus.
• Vodka martini blended with frozen espresso.
• Pepper vodka with a dash of hot pepper sauce and garnished with fresh vegetables.
• Vodka martini that has been infused with bubblegum.
With these cocktail combinations in mind, head out for your evening on the town and venture into the new cocktails of the twenty first century. But if by chance these new cocktail combinations are not in the cards for you remember you can always order a time tested pilsner.
Shauna Hanus is a gourmet cook who specializes in creating gourmet meal plans. She has extensive experience cooking with easy to find grocery items to create delightful gourmet meals. She is also the publisher of a no cost bi-monthly gourmet newsletter. Her newsletter is always fun and informational packed with tips and trivia you can use everyday. http://www.gourmayeats.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Strange-Cocktail-Combinations&id=82612] Strange Cocktail Combinations
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shauna_Hanus]Shauna Hanus
Mixed drinks or cocktails have taken a strange turn in recent years. In the past it was the worm in the bottom of the tequila bottle today it’s combinations that include everything from bubblegum to pickled octopus. If you are adventurous and want to veer from the ordinary here are some combinations to get your evening started.
Liquor Drinks
• Irish Liquor, Amaretto, cream and mint.
• Grand Marnier with horseradish infused vodka with a rare slice of beef tenderloin garnish.
• Frangelico, crème de cocoa blended with peanut butter served over ice.
Rum Drinks
• Dark rum blended with peeled and seeded avocado, cream, lime juice and sugar.
Sake Drinks
• Sake, brown sugar, club soda, pineapple juice and celery garnish.
Vodka Drinks
• Potato vodka with garlic stuffed green olives.
• Vanilla vodka, bourbon, vanilla bean paste and lime juice garnished with fresh rhubarb studded with peppercorns.
Martinis
• Gin martini garnished with a pickled octopus.
• Vodka martini blended with frozen espresso.
• Pepper vodka with a dash of hot pepper sauce and garnished with fresh vegetables.
• Vodka martini that has been infused with bubblegum.
With these cocktail combinations in mind, head out for your evening on the town and venture into the new cocktails of the twenty first century. But if by chance these new cocktail combinations are not in the cards for you remember you can always order a time tested pilsner.
Shauna Hanus is a gourmet cook who specializes in creating gourmet meal plans. She has extensive experience cooking with easy to find grocery items to create delightful gourmet meals. She is also the publisher of a no cost bi-monthly gourmet newsletter. Her newsletter is always fun and informational packed with tips and trivia you can use everyday. http://www.gourmayeats.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Strange-Cocktail-Combinations&id=82612] Strange Cocktail Combinations
Bartending - Creepy Halloween Cocktails
Bartending - Creepy Halloween Cocktails
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell]Michael Russell
Summer is over, but the fun just begins. Autumn brings along, all over the world, holidays to celebrate nature and crops, but there is a certain holiday celebrating the spirits of those who have died: Halloween.
While Halloween is really loved by kids for all that trick-or-treat fun, there's no reason why grownups should not get their own "creepy" treats. You can impress your guests with one of the spine-chilling cocktails listed below, or why not, create a new one in which you'll drop a gummy worm or other weird garnishes.
Halloween does have a few predominant colors: black, red, orange and yellow. Can you master a black cocktail? One that has some devil eyeballs in it? Creepy! Black cocktails are a recent trend. They had an amazing public impact in 2003 when many bars, clubs and luxury restaurants included on their menus some surprisingly flavorsome black drinks, such as Midnight Cosmopolitan, Black Mystique or Blacker Dahlia. Probably one of the most interesting black cocktails is the famous Black Velvet: half Guinness Beer, half Champagne (beer first).
While black cocktails could certainly be creepy and elegant, don't forget the other Halloween colors. Red drinks are as amazing and tasty as the black ones. They lack the soberness of a black drink, but they give a feeling of romance and passion, that's if you need such feelings on Halloween.
The creepy touch comes with a special cocktail such as the Atomic Bomb, our first spine-chilling cocktail recommendation. In a shot glass pour equal parts of Sambuca and Bailey's, then pour over the back of a spoon a dash of grenadine. That's it. Decide for yourself why this cocktail wears its name.
What about a creepy orange cocktail? We've got that too: Passoa Death. Passoa is a sweet liqueur with passion fruit flavor. For this special cocktail, you need vodka, passoa, melon liqueur, orange juice and sprite or 7up. Shake 30 ml vodka with 20 ml passoa and ice. Into a highball glass pour 10 ml melon liqueur over ice and then strain over it the vodka-passoa mix. Fill up with equal amounts of orange juice and sprite and you've got a wonderful cocktail that has nothing to do with death. except its name. But hey, the name itself is creepy enough to get you into the Halloween spirit.
Our third recommendation for Halloween is another drink with a scary name: Red Devil. Shake 20 ml vodka, 5 ml cassis liqueur, pineapple juice and ice and strain the mix into a martini glass. Wow! It's red, it's frightening and with the right garnish it will certainly make the perfect Halloween statement. Your guests will really wonder: is it a trick or a treat?
On place four we have a black cocktail: Black Magic. Shake 30 ml vodka, 30 ml Kahlua and a dash of lemon juice with crushed ice. Strain the mix into a glass and garnish it with a creepy Halloween figure.
Last, but not least, we recommend a very elegant, yet mysterious cocktail: Black Shadow. This is not a black drink, but green. In fact, its color is creepy enough. Shake 20 ml blue Curacao with 5 ml cassis liqueur and ice. Pour into a flute glass and top up with chilled Champagne.
Happy Halloween!
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to [http://bartending-guides.com/]Bartending
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Bartending---Creepy-Halloween-Cocktails&id=273818] Bartending - Creepy Halloween Cocktails
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell]Michael Russell
Summer is over, but the fun just begins. Autumn brings along, all over the world, holidays to celebrate nature and crops, but there is a certain holiday celebrating the spirits of those who have died: Halloween.
While Halloween is really loved by kids for all that trick-or-treat fun, there's no reason why grownups should not get their own "creepy" treats. You can impress your guests with one of the spine-chilling cocktails listed below, or why not, create a new one in which you'll drop a gummy worm or other weird garnishes.
Halloween does have a few predominant colors: black, red, orange and yellow. Can you master a black cocktail? One that has some devil eyeballs in it? Creepy! Black cocktails are a recent trend. They had an amazing public impact in 2003 when many bars, clubs and luxury restaurants included on their menus some surprisingly flavorsome black drinks, such as Midnight Cosmopolitan, Black Mystique or Blacker Dahlia. Probably one of the most interesting black cocktails is the famous Black Velvet: half Guinness Beer, half Champagne (beer first).
While black cocktails could certainly be creepy and elegant, don't forget the other Halloween colors. Red drinks are as amazing and tasty as the black ones. They lack the soberness of a black drink, but they give a feeling of romance and passion, that's if you need such feelings on Halloween.
The creepy touch comes with a special cocktail such as the Atomic Bomb, our first spine-chilling cocktail recommendation. In a shot glass pour equal parts of Sambuca and Bailey's, then pour over the back of a spoon a dash of grenadine. That's it. Decide for yourself why this cocktail wears its name.
What about a creepy orange cocktail? We've got that too: Passoa Death. Passoa is a sweet liqueur with passion fruit flavor. For this special cocktail, you need vodka, passoa, melon liqueur, orange juice and sprite or 7up. Shake 30 ml vodka with 20 ml passoa and ice. Into a highball glass pour 10 ml melon liqueur over ice and then strain over it the vodka-passoa mix. Fill up with equal amounts of orange juice and sprite and you've got a wonderful cocktail that has nothing to do with death. except its name. But hey, the name itself is creepy enough to get you into the Halloween spirit.
Our third recommendation for Halloween is another drink with a scary name: Red Devil. Shake 20 ml vodka, 5 ml cassis liqueur, pineapple juice and ice and strain the mix into a martini glass. Wow! It's red, it's frightening and with the right garnish it will certainly make the perfect Halloween statement. Your guests will really wonder: is it a trick or a treat?
On place four we have a black cocktail: Black Magic. Shake 30 ml vodka, 30 ml Kahlua and a dash of lemon juice with crushed ice. Strain the mix into a glass and garnish it with a creepy Halloween figure.
Last, but not least, we recommend a very elegant, yet mysterious cocktail: Black Shadow. This is not a black drink, but green. In fact, its color is creepy enough. Shake 20 ml blue Curacao with 5 ml cassis liqueur and ice. Pour into a flute glass and top up with chilled Champagne.
Happy Halloween!
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to [http://bartending-guides.com/]Bartending
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Bartending---Creepy-Halloween-Cocktails&id=273818] Bartending - Creepy Halloween Cocktails
5 Ways To Serve A Great Cocktail
5 Ways To Serve A Great Cocktail
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gautamm_Mehra]Gautamm Mehra
Cocktails are a great way of enjoying your favourite spirits and liquors. Here are some tips to help you serve them the right way.
1) Make sure everything is chilled.
This is the thumb rule for a cocktail (exception being warm cocktails). Lots of ice in the glass and as well as in your shaker. Additional Tip: Putting a single ice cube in a glass and chilling it in the freezer 10 minutes before serving, is a great way to get a frosted look and also enhance the taste of the cocktail.
2) Know your garnish.
This is what will differentiate between a good cocktail experience and a great cocktail experience. Cocktails should conjure up images and fantasies and for that they also have to look the part. Make sure you garnish goes well with the drink and is feast for the eyes as well. Additional Tip: Most drinks use one of the ingredients as a garnish. For example drinks containing orange juice are served with a slice of orange.
3) Know your glasses.
This is another important rule. The right glass can enhance the flavour of your cocktail, while the wrong one, will not allow the fullest of experiences. Generally drinks with aerated mixes or juices are served either in a high ball or a Tom Collins. Shots and Shooters are served in shot glasses. Champagne is served in a flute. White and red wine both have specific glasses for each other and a brandy or cognac is best served in a balloon glass.
4) Fresh juices are best.
It is best to prepare and use fresh juice before the evening. They provide more natural and fruitier experience. They are also thinner than their canned or packaged counterparts, making them better and lighter mixers.
5) Build your drink correctly.
It is important to follow the order of a cocktail to get the best flavour out of it. Always put in the hard spirit first, followed by the liquer or enhancer, topped with the mixer and finally add the bitters if needed. Now garnish the drink. This is the basic recipe of any cocktail and should be used whenever applicable. For example while making a Woo Woo. Add the vodka (spirit) first, followed by peach schnapps (enhancer) and topped with cranberry juice (mixer).
And lastly, don't forget to enjoy serving. Serving is a great pleasure only a privileged few can enjoy. So serve with your heart and enjoy yourself.
This article is written by Gautamm Mehra, a certified bartender and enthusiast. You can write to him at gautam [dot] mail [at] gmail [dot] com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Ways-To-Serve-A-Great-Cocktail&id=432262] 5 Ways To Serve A Great Cocktail
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gautamm_Mehra]Gautamm Mehra
Cocktails are a great way of enjoying your favourite spirits and liquors. Here are some tips to help you serve them the right way.
1) Make sure everything is chilled.
This is the thumb rule for a cocktail (exception being warm cocktails). Lots of ice in the glass and as well as in your shaker. Additional Tip: Putting a single ice cube in a glass and chilling it in the freezer 10 minutes before serving, is a great way to get a frosted look and also enhance the taste of the cocktail.
2) Know your garnish.
This is what will differentiate between a good cocktail experience and a great cocktail experience. Cocktails should conjure up images and fantasies and for that they also have to look the part. Make sure you garnish goes well with the drink and is feast for the eyes as well. Additional Tip: Most drinks use one of the ingredients as a garnish. For example drinks containing orange juice are served with a slice of orange.
3) Know your glasses.
This is another important rule. The right glass can enhance the flavour of your cocktail, while the wrong one, will not allow the fullest of experiences. Generally drinks with aerated mixes or juices are served either in a high ball or a Tom Collins. Shots and Shooters are served in shot glasses. Champagne is served in a flute. White and red wine both have specific glasses for each other and a brandy or cognac is best served in a balloon glass.
4) Fresh juices are best.
It is best to prepare and use fresh juice before the evening. They provide more natural and fruitier experience. They are also thinner than their canned or packaged counterparts, making them better and lighter mixers.
5) Build your drink correctly.
It is important to follow the order of a cocktail to get the best flavour out of it. Always put in the hard spirit first, followed by the liquer or enhancer, topped with the mixer and finally add the bitters if needed. Now garnish the drink. This is the basic recipe of any cocktail and should be used whenever applicable. For example while making a Woo Woo. Add the vodka (spirit) first, followed by peach schnapps (enhancer) and topped with cranberry juice (mixer).
And lastly, don't forget to enjoy serving. Serving is a great pleasure only a privileged few can enjoy. So serve with your heart and enjoy yourself.
This article is written by Gautamm Mehra, a certified bartender and enthusiast. You can write to him at gautam [dot] mail [at] gmail [dot] com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?5-Ways-To-Serve-A-Great-Cocktail&id=432262] 5 Ways To Serve A Great Cocktail
Party Themes - Hawaiian Luau Cocktail Recipes
Party Themes - Hawaiian Luau Cocktail Recipes
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Hilary_Basile]Hilary Basile
A luau party seems to naturally conjure up images of fruity drinks with cocktail umbrellas. When planning a luau party, don't forget the flower leis, tropical straws and coconut cups (and cocktail umbrellas, of course!). Get your cocktail shaker and blender out and enjoy some traditional luau cocktails with the following cocktail recipes.
Mai Tai
Ingredients
1 oz (2 tablespoons) dark rum
1 oz (2 tablespoons) amber rum
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1/2 oz (1 tablespoon) Cointreau or triple sec
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon superfine granulated sugar
Dash of grenadine
Garnish with an orange slice
Preparation
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 1 cup ice cubes, then strain into a glass filled with ice cubes. Makes one drink.
Blue Hawaiian
Ingredients
1 oz light rum
1 cherry
2 oz pineapple juice
1 oz Blue Curacao liqueur
1 oz cream of coconut
1 slice pineapple
Preparation
Blend light rum, blue Curacao, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut with one cup ice in an electric blender at high speed. Pour contents into a highball glass. Decorate with the slice of pineapple and a cherry. Makes one drink.
Hawaiian Cocktail
Ingredients
2 oz Gin
1 oz Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz Triple Sec
Preparation
Shake all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into a cocktail glass (an old-fashioned glass). Garnish with cherry. Makes one drink.
Hawaiian Fruit Punch (this one is for the kids!)
Ingredients
1 oz. Lemon Juice
Juice of 1/2 Lime
1 oz. Guava Nector
1 oz. Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz. Passion Fruit Juice
Soda
Preparation
Blend with crushed ice and pour into a chimney glass. Fill glasses with soda. Stir and add fruit you like. Makes one drink.
Use these fun and tasty Hawaiian cocktail recipes to create a fun luau party theme!
Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At [http://www.myguidesusa.com]http://www.myguidesusa.com, you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life's major events. Whether you're planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you'll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.
Find birthday party planning tips and resources at http://birthdays.myguidesusa.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Party-Themes---Hawaiian-Luau-Cocktail-Recipes&id=522368] Party Themes - Hawaiian Luau Cocktail Recipes
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Hilary_Basile]Hilary Basile
A luau party seems to naturally conjure up images of fruity drinks with cocktail umbrellas. When planning a luau party, don't forget the flower leis, tropical straws and coconut cups (and cocktail umbrellas, of course!). Get your cocktail shaker and blender out and enjoy some traditional luau cocktails with the following cocktail recipes.
Mai Tai
Ingredients
1 oz (2 tablespoons) dark rum
1 oz (2 tablespoons) amber rum
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1/2 oz (1 tablespoon) Cointreau or triple sec
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon superfine granulated sugar
Dash of grenadine
Garnish with an orange slice
Preparation
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with 1 cup ice cubes, then strain into a glass filled with ice cubes. Makes one drink.
Blue Hawaiian
Ingredients
1 oz light rum
1 cherry
2 oz pineapple juice
1 oz Blue Curacao liqueur
1 oz cream of coconut
1 slice pineapple
Preparation
Blend light rum, blue Curacao, pineapple juice, and cream of coconut with one cup ice in an electric blender at high speed. Pour contents into a highball glass. Decorate with the slice of pineapple and a cherry. Makes one drink.
Hawaiian Cocktail
Ingredients
2 oz Gin
1 oz Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz Triple Sec
Preparation
Shake all the ingredients in a shaker with ice and strain into a cocktail glass (an old-fashioned glass). Garnish with cherry. Makes one drink.
Hawaiian Fruit Punch (this one is for the kids!)
Ingredients
1 oz. Lemon Juice
Juice of 1/2 Lime
1 oz. Guava Nector
1 oz. Pineapple Juice
1/2 oz. Passion Fruit Juice
Soda
Preparation
Blend with crushed ice and pour into a chimney glass. Fill glasses with soda. Stir and add fruit you like. Makes one drink.
Use these fun and tasty Hawaiian cocktail recipes to create a fun luau party theme!
Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At [http://www.myguidesusa.com]http://www.myguidesusa.com, you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life's major events. Whether you're planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you'll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.
Find birthday party planning tips and resources at http://birthdays.myguidesusa.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Party-Themes---Hawaiian-Luau-Cocktail-Recipes&id=522368] Party Themes - Hawaiian Luau Cocktail Recipes
Cocktail Mixing Techniques - Top 10 Tips For Mixing Fabulous Cocktails Every Time
Cocktail Mixing Techniques - Top 10 Tips For Mixing Fabulous Cocktails Every Time
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Wheatley]Paul Wheatley
Professional bartenders would have you believe that mixing cocktails is a highly trained art and that mere mortals should never be allowed behind a bar. Using the right techniques may be essential for creating great cocktails, but a lifetime of training or magical mixology powers are certainly not required. These top 10 tips for mixing cocktails will ensure you get great results every time.
1) Use Small Glasses
By the time you finish a drink in a large glass it will have warmed up, especially if the drink is served "up" (without ice) in a Martini glass. An ideal Martini glass should comfortably hold about 4 shots (which is around 4 fl oz or 120 ml).
2) Chill Your Glasses
Chill your glasses in advance in a fridge or simply fill them with water and ice to chill while making your cocktail in the mixing tin. A chilled glass will keep your finished cocktail as cool as possible, ensuring it continues to taste fantastic from the first sip until the last.
3) Follow Recommended Recipes
Always use a cocktail recipe from a recommended source. A quality cocktail book, or cocktail website will provide good recipes to work with. For a beginner with a small or growing home bar, cocktails with basic ingredients are a great place to start.
4) Use the Best Ingredients Available
As with many things in life, what you get out depends very much on what you put in. Always use the best ingredients you can get your hands on. That means: quality branded spirits, branded mixers, fresh fruit and freshly squeezed juices. Fresh fruit and fresh juice will make an amazing difference to a mixed drink.
5) Measure Ingredients Carefully
Professional bartenders may be able to free pour their cocktail ingredients straight into the mixing tin. This approach is notoriously hard to get right. It may not look quite as cool, but by measuring your ingredients you'll get a far better result. Use a quality measuring jigger that allows you to pour half, quarter and eighth measures accurately.
6) Hold Bottles by the Neck When Pouring
When pouring your ingredients into the mixing tin, hold the spirit bottle by the neck. You'll find this gives you much greater control of the bottle, making it easier to quickly pour exactly the right measure.
7) Use Lots of Ice
Add lots of fresh ice to the mixing tin immediately before shaking. Putting the ice in at the start, before you add other ingredients, will only give the ice chance to melt and dilute your cocktail.
8) Shake Well
Shake until the mixing tin feels uncomfortably cold to the touch and condensation starts to form on it. As Harry Craddock put it in the Savoy Cocktail Book: "Shake the shaker as hard as you can... you are trying to wake it up, not send it to sleep!"
9) Taste Before Serving
Fresh fruits and juices can vary in sweetness so you may need to fine tune your cocktail with extra citrus juice or sugar syrup to achieve the right balance. Always taste your finished cocktail to check its ready to serve. You can do this quickly and hygienically by using a straw to siphon a little of the drink. Dip the straw in the cocktail, hold a finger over the dry end, move the straw to your mouth and then release a few drops of the cocktail to taste.
10) Garnish With Subtlety
Use fresh fruits and simple cocktail picks to garnish your cocktails. No garnish is far better than a forest of fruit, veg and umbrellas in the top of your drink! Keep it simple and the result will be stunning. Don't forget that some garnishes also add to the flavor of a cocktail, whether it's the wedge of lime in a Gin and Tonic or a flamed lemon zest in a Cosmopolitan.
For a complete guide to [http://www.mixshakeandpour.com/misc/startingredients.html]stocking your home bar and shot by shot guides to mixing the best cocktails, visit: [http://www.mixshakeandpour.com/index.html]http://www.MixShakeAndPour.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Wheatley http://EzineArticles.com/?Cocktail-Mixing-Techniques---Top-10-Tips-For-Mixing-Fabulous-Cocktails-Every-Time&id=1937456
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Wheatley]Paul Wheatley
Professional bartenders would have you believe that mixing cocktails is a highly trained art and that mere mortals should never be allowed behind a bar. Using the right techniques may be essential for creating great cocktails, but a lifetime of training or magical mixology powers are certainly not required. These top 10 tips for mixing cocktails will ensure you get great results every time.
1) Use Small Glasses
By the time you finish a drink in a large glass it will have warmed up, especially if the drink is served "up" (without ice) in a Martini glass. An ideal Martini glass should comfortably hold about 4 shots (which is around 4 fl oz or 120 ml).
2) Chill Your Glasses
Chill your glasses in advance in a fridge or simply fill them with water and ice to chill while making your cocktail in the mixing tin. A chilled glass will keep your finished cocktail as cool as possible, ensuring it continues to taste fantastic from the first sip until the last.
3) Follow Recommended Recipes
Always use a cocktail recipe from a recommended source. A quality cocktail book, or cocktail website will provide good recipes to work with. For a beginner with a small or growing home bar, cocktails with basic ingredients are a great place to start.
4) Use the Best Ingredients Available
As with many things in life, what you get out depends very much on what you put in. Always use the best ingredients you can get your hands on. That means: quality branded spirits, branded mixers, fresh fruit and freshly squeezed juices. Fresh fruit and fresh juice will make an amazing difference to a mixed drink.
5) Measure Ingredients Carefully
Professional bartenders may be able to free pour their cocktail ingredients straight into the mixing tin. This approach is notoriously hard to get right. It may not look quite as cool, but by measuring your ingredients you'll get a far better result. Use a quality measuring jigger that allows you to pour half, quarter and eighth measures accurately.
6) Hold Bottles by the Neck When Pouring
When pouring your ingredients into the mixing tin, hold the spirit bottle by the neck. You'll find this gives you much greater control of the bottle, making it easier to quickly pour exactly the right measure.
7) Use Lots of Ice
Add lots of fresh ice to the mixing tin immediately before shaking. Putting the ice in at the start, before you add other ingredients, will only give the ice chance to melt and dilute your cocktail.
8) Shake Well
Shake until the mixing tin feels uncomfortably cold to the touch and condensation starts to form on it. As Harry Craddock put it in the Savoy Cocktail Book: "Shake the shaker as hard as you can... you are trying to wake it up, not send it to sleep!"
9) Taste Before Serving
Fresh fruits and juices can vary in sweetness so you may need to fine tune your cocktail with extra citrus juice or sugar syrup to achieve the right balance. Always taste your finished cocktail to check its ready to serve. You can do this quickly and hygienically by using a straw to siphon a little of the drink. Dip the straw in the cocktail, hold a finger over the dry end, move the straw to your mouth and then release a few drops of the cocktail to taste.
10) Garnish With Subtlety
Use fresh fruits and simple cocktail picks to garnish your cocktails. No garnish is far better than a forest of fruit, veg and umbrellas in the top of your drink! Keep it simple and the result will be stunning. Don't forget that some garnishes also add to the flavor of a cocktail, whether it's the wedge of lime in a Gin and Tonic or a flamed lemon zest in a Cosmopolitan.
For a complete guide to [http://www.mixshakeandpour.com/misc/startingredients.html]stocking your home bar and shot by shot guides to mixing the best cocktails, visit: [http://www.mixshakeandpour.com/index.html]http://www.MixShakeAndPour.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Wheatley http://EzineArticles.com/?Cocktail-Mixing-Techniques---Top-10-Tips-For-Mixing-Fabulous-Cocktails-Every-Time&id=1937456
10 Top Tips on Making Cocktails
10 Top Tips on Making Cocktails
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers]Derek Rogers
Cocktails are not only savoury to sip but also look exciting and fun to drink; they are perfect for celebrations as they tend to elicit a pleasurable response among drinkers. Fortunately, cocktails can be made at home like a professional.
TIP 1: Be ready with glasses. Cocktails will not look like one if you do not use the appropriate glass. Besides, cocktails are meant to be consumed when they are cold, so using large glasses will take time to finish and you will end up not really enjoying the taste. It is recommended to invest in cocktail glasses such as martini, margarita, and highball glasses.
TIP 2: Keep a collection of cocktail tools and supplies. Jazz up your bar with the basic barware; it is essential that you have the right measuring equipments to create a well-balanced drink. Opting for a jigger or a shot glass is good for measuring the necessary ounces. Also get a durable blender that is safe to use in the dishwasher and do not forget those famous cocktail shakers.
TIP 3: Get equipped with some cocktail recipes. Check out those cocktail books that feature the classic Sidecar and Manhattan. You can also step into the modern world by adding pureed vegetables into the drink instead of pureed fruit, but do not put in too much experimentation though as you might end up with a nasty tasting mix.
TIP 4: Use only the finest ingredients. Don't worry too much about looking for what you need to put in. Use fruits and vegetables that are in season and liquor that will complement its flavour. Having tomatoes or peaches in summer make fantastic cocktail ingredients.
TIP 5: The chilling process. As soon as you are equipped and ready, start by chilling those cocktail glasses. It can be as simple as putting the glass in the freezer for some hours or pouring in water with ice. Take them out only when you are ready to pour the mixed drink, this way the drink is kept smooth and cool for a longer time after it has been served.
TIP 6: Measuring your spirits. Always hold spirit bottles by the neck when pouring. There is nothing really special to this; it is just that by doing so, you are making it easier on yourself to put in exactly the accurate measure.
TIP 7: Adding the ice. Now that you have poured in all the ingredients, add some ice before you start shaking them. This should be fresh ice though so if you need to buy them then do so. Firm ice will prevent it from melting too quickly and will make a crisp cocktail drink.
TIP 8: Shake it well and shake it some more This is probably the grooviest part in cocktail mixing. While you can practice all those impressive stunts, just make sure that you mix the drink well inside the shaker until the cold spreads throughout the shaker.
TIP 9: Dress up that cocktail. Cocktail drinks will kind of look empty without some little garnishing. Ripe limes make the cocktail presentation come alive as well as complementing your mix. They can be cut into wedges, slices, and half-moons for that attractive garnish.
TIP 10: Taste it before you serve it. Take a small sip and see if you have done well, this way you can make sure that your guests will enjoy it as much as you.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For a wide range of recommended [http://www.ahadleigh-wine.com/cocktail-categories/]Cocktail Recipes, he recommends Alexander Hadleigh Wine Merchants & Importers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Top-Tips-on-Making-Cocktails&id=2151289
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers]Derek Rogers
Cocktails are not only savoury to sip but also look exciting and fun to drink; they are perfect for celebrations as they tend to elicit a pleasurable response among drinkers. Fortunately, cocktails can be made at home like a professional.
TIP 1: Be ready with glasses. Cocktails will not look like one if you do not use the appropriate glass. Besides, cocktails are meant to be consumed when they are cold, so using large glasses will take time to finish and you will end up not really enjoying the taste. It is recommended to invest in cocktail glasses such as martini, margarita, and highball glasses.
TIP 2: Keep a collection of cocktail tools and supplies. Jazz up your bar with the basic barware; it is essential that you have the right measuring equipments to create a well-balanced drink. Opting for a jigger or a shot glass is good for measuring the necessary ounces. Also get a durable blender that is safe to use in the dishwasher and do not forget those famous cocktail shakers.
TIP 3: Get equipped with some cocktail recipes. Check out those cocktail books that feature the classic Sidecar and Manhattan. You can also step into the modern world by adding pureed vegetables into the drink instead of pureed fruit, but do not put in too much experimentation though as you might end up with a nasty tasting mix.
TIP 4: Use only the finest ingredients. Don't worry too much about looking for what you need to put in. Use fruits and vegetables that are in season and liquor that will complement its flavour. Having tomatoes or peaches in summer make fantastic cocktail ingredients.
TIP 5: The chilling process. As soon as you are equipped and ready, start by chilling those cocktail glasses. It can be as simple as putting the glass in the freezer for some hours or pouring in water with ice. Take them out only when you are ready to pour the mixed drink, this way the drink is kept smooth and cool for a longer time after it has been served.
TIP 6: Measuring your spirits. Always hold spirit bottles by the neck when pouring. There is nothing really special to this; it is just that by doing so, you are making it easier on yourself to put in exactly the accurate measure.
TIP 7: Adding the ice. Now that you have poured in all the ingredients, add some ice before you start shaking them. This should be fresh ice though so if you need to buy them then do so. Firm ice will prevent it from melting too quickly and will make a crisp cocktail drink.
TIP 8: Shake it well and shake it some more This is probably the grooviest part in cocktail mixing. While you can practice all those impressive stunts, just make sure that you mix the drink well inside the shaker until the cold spreads throughout the shaker.
TIP 9: Dress up that cocktail. Cocktail drinks will kind of look empty without some little garnishing. Ripe limes make the cocktail presentation come alive as well as complementing your mix. They can be cut into wedges, slices, and half-moons for that attractive garnish.
TIP 10: Taste it before you serve it. Take a small sip and see if you have done well, this way you can make sure that your guests will enjoy it as much as you.
Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For a wide range of recommended [http://www.ahadleigh-wine.com/cocktail-categories/]Cocktail Recipes, he recommends Alexander Hadleigh Wine Merchants & Importers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers http://EzineArticles.com/?10-Top-Tips-on-Making-Cocktails&id=2151289
Delicious Cocktails To Please Your Guests
Delicious Cocktails To Please Your Guests
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kadence_Buchanan]Kadence Buchanan
When having a dinner party, a large aspect of its success is determined by the cocktails that you make available. You can really turn your party into a night to remember if you can expose your guests to some delicious drinks that they'll never forget. In this article, we'll relay some cocktail recipes that can surprise and impress your guests.
A commonly-used twist on a classic drink is known as the "Purple Haze". Based off of the Long Island Iced Tea recipe, the drink gets its name from the famous Jimi Hendrix song since it is purple in color. While the drink shares many of the same ingredients as a Long Island, it features a distinct taste that provides a good dose of alcohol while still tasting delicious. To make a Purple Haze, you're going to need the basic liquors that go into a Long Island - tequila, rum, vodka, and gin. In addition, you're going to need the secret ingredient that gives the Purple Haze it's color - Chambord, which is a raspberry-flavored cordial. You'll also need a lemon-lime flavored soda and sweet and sour mix.
To make a single Purple Haze, mix ½ oz of the four Long Island liquors with ½ oz of Chambord. Add in an ounce of sour mix, and top it off with a splash of lemon-lime soda for a little carbonation. That's all you have to do! The result is a drink that packs a punch while still being very delicious.
Are you looking for an adventurous cocktail that can really add some flair to the evening? The Flaming Dr. Pepper can be a great addition to an evening, especially for a Tiki-themed party. Be forewarned - the drink involves lighting a liquor on fire. The end result will shock you and your guests, however - it tastes almost exactly like Dr. Pepper!
To make a Flaming Dr. Pepper, you're going to need a bottle of 151 proof rum as well as a bottle of amaretto and plenty of light beer. The preparation of the drink can be easily ruined, so take heed for the following directions:
Take a shot glass and fill it ¾ full with amaretto. Top the shot with 151 - it should end up layered on top. Fill a pint glass halfway full with light beer. Now comes the showmanship part - using a lighter, carefully light the top of the shot on fire. The 151 will burn off the top of the shot, and once it's lit, you need to drop it into the pint glass. The concoction will fizz up, and you need to down it as soon as you can. By some act of God, the drink actually tastes amazingly like Dr. Pepper - shocking, considering there isn't a single non-alcoholic ingredient in the mix!
These two drinks can add a delicious and exciting aspect to your next get together. Exercise caution when making the Flaming Dr. Peppers, and be sure to take the keys of anyone who has been drinking too much. Enjoy!
Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including [http://wonderfulworldoffood.com/]Food, [http://iwomensinterests.com/]Women, and [http://theoutdoorslifestyle.com/]Outdoors
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kadence_Buchanan http://EzineArticles.com/?Delicious-Cocktails-To-Please-Your-Guests&id=326832
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kadence_Buchanan]Kadence Buchanan
When having a dinner party, a large aspect of its success is determined by the cocktails that you make available. You can really turn your party into a night to remember if you can expose your guests to some delicious drinks that they'll never forget. In this article, we'll relay some cocktail recipes that can surprise and impress your guests.
A commonly-used twist on a classic drink is known as the "Purple Haze". Based off of the Long Island Iced Tea recipe, the drink gets its name from the famous Jimi Hendrix song since it is purple in color. While the drink shares many of the same ingredients as a Long Island, it features a distinct taste that provides a good dose of alcohol while still tasting delicious. To make a Purple Haze, you're going to need the basic liquors that go into a Long Island - tequila, rum, vodka, and gin. In addition, you're going to need the secret ingredient that gives the Purple Haze it's color - Chambord, which is a raspberry-flavored cordial. You'll also need a lemon-lime flavored soda and sweet and sour mix.
To make a single Purple Haze, mix ½ oz of the four Long Island liquors with ½ oz of Chambord. Add in an ounce of sour mix, and top it off with a splash of lemon-lime soda for a little carbonation. That's all you have to do! The result is a drink that packs a punch while still being very delicious.
Are you looking for an adventurous cocktail that can really add some flair to the evening? The Flaming Dr. Pepper can be a great addition to an evening, especially for a Tiki-themed party. Be forewarned - the drink involves lighting a liquor on fire. The end result will shock you and your guests, however - it tastes almost exactly like Dr. Pepper!
To make a Flaming Dr. Pepper, you're going to need a bottle of 151 proof rum as well as a bottle of amaretto and plenty of light beer. The preparation of the drink can be easily ruined, so take heed for the following directions:
Take a shot glass and fill it ¾ full with amaretto. Top the shot with 151 - it should end up layered on top. Fill a pint glass halfway full with light beer. Now comes the showmanship part - using a lighter, carefully light the top of the shot on fire. The 151 will burn off the top of the shot, and once it's lit, you need to drop it into the pint glass. The concoction will fizz up, and you need to down it as soon as you can. By some act of God, the drink actually tastes amazingly like Dr. Pepper - shocking, considering there isn't a single non-alcoholic ingredient in the mix!
These two drinks can add a delicious and exciting aspect to your next get together. Exercise caution when making the Flaming Dr. Peppers, and be sure to take the keys of anyone who has been drinking too much. Enjoy!
Kadence Buchanan writes articles on many topics including [http://wonderfulworldoffood.com/]Food, [http://iwomensinterests.com/]Women, and [http://theoutdoorslifestyle.com/]Outdoors
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kadence_Buchanan http://EzineArticles.com/?Delicious-Cocktails-To-Please-Your-Guests&id=326832
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