Creating new cocktails is part of the fun of being a mixologist. Like most of you, I love revisiting old and new classics. I also seek out new taste experiences when I’m browsing cocktail menus in a bar or restaurant. And sometimes, when I’m not drinking, drinking, I’ll take a photo of the cocktail menu with a view to having a go at making it at home. Admittedly they don’t list the quantities of ingredients but I’ve got a reasonable nose for this sort of thing, so I’m happy to experiment.
Reconstituted old classics
There are many classics which lend themselves to a bit of experimentation. I love the Negroni so I already have many variants of those. Some are brilliant. I’ve also tried the same with the Manhattan (rye whisky, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters.) Not sure I’ve got many excellent alternatives to the original but there are some.
I also want to develop some variants of the classic Sidecar. Ever since I saw the hotel guests sipping on them in an episode of Poirot, I’ve been intrigued. Brandy, Cointreau and lemon juice is such a straightforward combination and versatile for a bit of adaptation.
Legacy cocktails
Over the years of running the Cocktail Shaker Boys business, we have served up many of our own in-house creations. We would usually go out with a cocktail menu consisting of a combination of classics alongside some of our own creations – so that they could try some new cocktails. Our phrase was that “who knows, we might introduce you to your new favourite cocktail.” It happened a few times. It’s always pleasing when guests compare your own creations favourably alongside the classics. I remember on one occasion, a guy came up to us and said “I’ve tried both the Cosmopolitan and the Strawberry Martini and I like the strawberry martini much better.” I’ll take that!
You can read about some of these in-house creations elsewhere on the website. How about these for starters though if you’re looking for some new ideas
- Strawberry Martini – a great gin based cocktail ideal for summer with delicate strawberry vermouth
- Lavender Martini – an unusual lavender twist on a vanilla vodka martini with dry vermouth
- St. Louis – this one is a strongly alcoholic short cocktail based on Southern Comfort and brandy. Plus peach
- Basquezera – a pink, fluffy cocktail with the modern flavour combination of chocolate and chilli.