Favorite cocktails

[jasn]

Hey @CJ, I see a negroni on your original list, which is my go-to cocktail starter when out to dinner. I also make them at home. You might want to try shaking it with ice beforehand if you haven't tried, It really smooths out that first sip.

I recently tried a tequilla-variation for a negroni called a Rosita. Just as easy to make and it uses both sweet and dry vermouth! Quite tasty and a bit more summer-like. Give it a try of you have tequilla in the house...

[Edit] I made a couple of Rosita's last evening and decided I did not like the bitters being added. YRMV

[CJ]

Hey @CJ, I see a negroni on your original list, which is my go-to cocktail starter when out to dinner. I also make them at home. You might want to try shaking it with ice beforehand if you haven't tried, It really smooths out that first sip.

I recently tried a tequilla-variation for a negroni called a Rosita. Just as easy to make and it uses both sweet and dry vermouth! Quite tasty and a bit more summer-like. Give it a try of you have tequilla in the house...

[Edit] I made a couple of Rosita's last evening and decided I did not like the bitters being added. YRMV

I'm not a big tequila guy. Try a white negroni if you get a chance. I don't ever shake a negroni but I will sometimes stir it in a mixing glass and then strain it over ice so its pre-diluted a little and colder. I try not to be a cocktail snob but only drinks with dairy or juices should be shaken.

[jasn]

I don't ever shake a negroni but I will sometimes stir it in a mixing glass and then strain it over ice so its pre-diluted a little and colder. I try not to be a cocktail snob but only drinks with dairy or juices should be shaken.

Understood. I use the same rule, i.e., when to shake and when to stir, but on occasion I do shake a negroni to give it a little, icy froth with the first couple of sips.

White negroni's are pretty good too, but I miss the campari. I like Lillet as well, lightly mixed with some gin and vodka over ice with a lemon peel.

[CJ]

Speaking of mixing gin and vodka, I had a martini once (I think in Vegas?) that on the menu was called The Rat Pack and it was a traditional martini made with 50/50 gin and vodka. It was quite good.

[jasn]

Speaking of mixing gin and vodka, I had a martini once (I think in Vegas?) that on the menu was called The Rat Pack and it was a traditional martini made with 50/50 gin and vodka. It was quite good.

Sounds good. Maybe try a Vesper Martini? It's Mixologist choice whether it is shaken or stirred. I regularly make these simply poured over some ice in a rocks glass (don't forget the lemon twist). They're powerful, but the melted ice helps keep me on the barstool a little longer...

[DYohn]

Last week we went to dinner and my wife ordered an espresso martini. She really liked it and asked me yesterday if I could make one for her. I looked it up online, sounded easy, so I tried. I failed, according to her. My taste buds were also not impressed. So we went out for a drink. Pro tip guys: If your wife wants a specific drink, fail when making it and you get to go out.

[CJ]

Last week we went to dinner and my wife ordered an espresso martini. She really liked it and asked me yesterday if I could make one for her. I looked it up online, sounded easy, so I tried. I failed, according to her. My taste buds were also not impressed. So we went out for a drink. Pro tip guys: If your wife wants a specific drink, fail when making it and you get to go out.