The 30-Day Challenge: 30 Days of Cocktails

Well, we have at last reached the very end of the 30-Day Challenge. A special shout-out to my roommates, Kelly and Annamarie, for enduring the not-so-tasty drinks and "catch-up nights" where we would get a little tipsy. : )

This was a great experience, and I would recommend it to anyone looking to expand their horizons. Thanks for reading!

Day 30: "The Mimosa"

This next cocktail is one of sophistication and class: the Mimosa. Often served at brunches, this is one of the only drinks that’s okay to drink before noon!

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

2 oz orange juice (Minute Maid Concentrated Orange Juice)
Champagne (Korbel Champagne Brut)

Pour orange juice into a glass over two ice cubes. Fill with chilled champagne, stir very gently, and serve.

This cocktail generally served in a Champagne flute, and garnish with an orange slice or peel, or go without.

Personal tasting notes: I’m so glad I decided to end this 30-Day Challenge with this one! It was so refreshing and delicious, and it was a little surprising. I thought it would be more of an orange juice flavor with a hint of bubbly Champagne, but it was actually reversed, with the overwhelming flavor of Champagne and the orange juice a little more subtle. It blended well, but next time I will be sure to get a high-quality Champagne to ensure this drink comes out top-notch.

Day 29: "Bone Crusher"

The Bone Crusher was created by Tom Baron at T.G.I. Friday’s in Washington D.C. in the early 90s. Although it sounds scary, the use of champagne gave the drink an air of sophistication.

Here’s the recipe I used (take from DrinksMixer.com):

1/2 oz gin (Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin)
1/2 oz vodka (Vitali Vodka)
1/2 oz triple sec (J. Brandt Triple Sec)
1/2 oz rum (Bacardi Puerto Rican Rum)
1/4 oz grenadine syrup (Rose’s Grenadine Syrup)
1/4 oz lime juice (Tantillo Sicilian Lime Juice)
2 oz sweet and sour mix (Cocktail Classics Sweet and Sour Mix)
1 oz Champagne (Korbel Champagne Brut)

Combine all ingredients (except Champagne) in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Pour into a glass with ice, and float the champagne on top.

Can be served in any type of glassware, but a large brandy snifter is ideal. Garnishing is unnecessary, but feel free to experiment.

Personal tasting notes: I really liked this drink, but it was a tad sugary. I think next time I make this drink I’ll axe the grenadine. I also enjoy learning my new bartending technique: floating. You can actually float any number of alcohols to make interesting patterns, but for this I simply poured the Champagne slowly over an inverted spoon. I will be doing this drink again. : )

Day 28: "Bronx Cocktail"

This next cocktail, the Bronx Cocktail, is a close cousin of the Martini, and it was ranked #3 in “The World’s 10 Most Famous Cocktails in 1934.”

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1 1/2 oz gin (Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin)
1/4 oz dry vermouth (Gallo Extra Dry Vermouth)
1 oz orange juice (Minute Maid Concentrated Orange Juice)

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a glass and serve.

This classic is almost always served in a cocktail glass (or Martini glass) and garnished with an orange slice.

Personal tasting notes: To be honest, it tasted exactly like the Dry Martini with orange juice. Since I didn’t really like the Dry Martini, I didn’t really care for this cocktail, either. Unfortunately, the orange juice just couldn’t mask the dry taste of the Martini. The original recipe also called for sweet vermouth, which I did not have, but I don’t think it would have helped. Not a repeat for me.

Day 27: "Long Island Iced Tea"

A tough act to follow, we have another classic to follow up the Martini…the Long Island Iced Tea. Let’s see how these two traditions stack up against one another. Although not as old as the Martini, the LIIT has been around since the 1970s, where it was first served as a summertime drink on Long Island.

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1 part vodka (Vitali Vodka)
1 part tequila (Sauza Tequila Silver)
1 part rum (Bacardi Superior Light Rum)
1 part gin (Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin)
1 part triple sec (J. Brandt Triple Sec)
1 1/2 parts sweet and sour mix (Cocktail Classics Sweet and Sour Mix)
1 splash cola (Coca-Cola)

Mix ingredients together over ice in a glass. Pour into a shaker and give one brisk shake. Pour back into the glass and make sure there is a touch of fizz at the top.

This classic is almost always served in a highball glass with a lemon garnish.

Personal tasting notes: This is definitely a drink I’ll be having again soon! Like the Bay City Bomber, all the ingredients in this complex recipe come together quite well and make for a very refreshing beverage. I would definitely recommend this recipe to Coca-Cola fans, like me, but next time I might take the sour mix down a notch, since it was a little too prominent for my taste.

Day 26: "The Dry Martini"

This next classic is perhaps the most famous cocktail known…the Martini. Although its exact origins are still unclear, its popularity grew during Prohibition when illegal gin was relatively easy to obtain.

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1 2/3 oz gin (Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin)
1/3 oz dry vermouth (Gallo Extra Dry Vermouth)

Stir gin and vermouth with ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a cocktail glass, add an olive, and serve.

As indicated above, martinis should always be served in a cocktail glass, otherwise known as a Martini Glass. Try chilling the glassware before pouring the drink and serving. Also, it is always garnished with an olive.

Personal tasting notes: This was definitely too strong for me. I’m not sure if it was the gin or the vermouth, but it burned a little on the way down. I will probably not be doing this one again, but I can see the appeal to others.

Day 25: "Alabama Fizz"

This next drink is a spin on the famous Alabama Slammer…the Alabama Fizz. Perfect for a hot, summer day on the porch.

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1/2 oz lemon juice (Tantillo Sicilian Lemon Juice)
1 tsp powdered sugar
2 oz gin (Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin)
club soda (Canada Dry Club Soda)
2 mint sprigs

Shake lemon juice, sugar, and gin with ice and strain into a glass over two ice cubes. Fill with club soda and garnish mint.

Can be served in any type of glassware, but it is always garnished with mint. Try rubbing the rim of the glass with a mint sprig for an extra mint taste with every sip!

Personal tasting notes: It was very similar to the Tom Collins, but slightly better, in my opinion. Since the ingredients are essentially the same, I would say the powdered sugar had something to do with it rather than the regular sugar in the Tom Collins. It made it a bit smoother, I think. Try it for yourself!

Day 24: "Bacardi Special"

This next drink is named after the famous rum brand. Next up on the 30-Day Challenge: the Bacardi Special!

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

2 oz light rum (Bacardi Superior Rum)
3/4 oz gin (Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin)
1/2 oz lime juice (Tantillo Lime Juice)
1 dash grenadine syrup (Rose’s Grenadine Syrup)
1 tsp sugar

Shake all ingredients with ice until cold. Strain into a cocktail glass.

Serve in any type of glassware. It’s usually served with a lime peel, or a cherry, if desired.

Personal tasting notes: This drink was WAY too strong! It tasted like rubbing alcohol, since there isn’t anything to mix the alcohol with really except, lime juice, grenadine, and sugar. I took one taste, and I was DONE. Never again. Yuck!

Day 23: "Bay City Bomber"

This next drink has just about every type of clear spirit in it! Vodka, rum, tequila, and gin make up the foundation of this drink. Get ready to get messed up with the Bay City Bomber, or also known as a "Bang Your Head On The Beadpost."

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from BarNoneDrinks.com):

1/2 oz vodka (Vitali Vodka)
1/2 oz light rum (Bacardi Superior Rum)
1/2 oz tequila (Sauza Tequila Silver)
1/2 oz gin (Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin)
1/2 oz triple sec (J. Brandt Triple Sec)
1 oz orange juice (Simply Natural Orange Juice)
1 oz pineapple juice (Dole Concentrated Pineapple Juice)
1 oz cranberry juice (Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice)
1 oz sour mix (Cocktail Classics Sweet and Sour Mix)
1/4 oz gold rum (Bacardi Puerto Rican Rum)

Shake all ingredients except the dark rum with ice in cocktail shaker until smooth. Pour into a glass. Float the dark rum.

Serve in any type of glassware, but like the Tom Collins, garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.

Personal tasting notes: This drink was delicious, and it was so different from many of the island-inspired creations that I’m so drawn to. Yes, you can taste the alcohol, which isn’t a bad thing for me, but it blends perfectly with the juices. I was expecting a cocktail with so many ingredients to taste bad, but this drink will definitely be repeated in the near future. I may avoid ordering this at a bar, since it would probably be pretty expensive, but it is a perfect drink to enjoy at home! However, beware of this drink. After one of these I got a little dizzy…and it was my first drink of the evening!

Day 22: "Tom Collins"

This next drink is very famous: the Tom Collins. This drink actually has a very interesting history. In the late 1800s, a hoax began to grow nationally in the U.S. A person would ask another, “Where is Tom Collins?” When the listener would react that they did not know, the initiator of the conversation would assert that this “Tom Collins” was saying bad things about the listener, and then the listener would go out to find Tom Collins and confront him, but would never find him because he didn’t exist! After newspapers began to perpetuate the hoax by reporting sightings of Tom, a new drink was soon named after him.

Here’s the famous recipe (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

2 oz gin (Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin)
1 oz lemon juice (Tantillo Sicilian Lemon Juice)
1 tsp superfine sugar
3 oz club soda (Canada Dry Club Soda)
1 maraschino cherry
1 slice orange

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the gin, lemon juice, and sugar. Shake well. Strain into a Collins glass almost filled with ice cubes. Add the club soda. Stir and garnish with the cherry and the orange slice.

The Collins glass, named after this drink, is the perfect glass for this cocktail. It is also garnished traditionally with a cherry and an orange slice.

Personal tasting notes: After the overwhelming club soda taste of the Mojito, I was really nervous to try this drink. I was actually pleasantly surprised, and the ingredients mixed together nicely. I think because the gin flavor was so strong that I might need a couple drinks in me first before I take this one, but this is something I think I’ll try again in the future.

Day 21: "Blood on the Rocks"

This next drink sounds like something you’d order at a goth club…a Blood on the Rocks.

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from BarNoneDrinks.com):

1 oz tequila (Sauza Tequila Silver)
3/4 oz triple sec (J. Brandt Triple Sec)
Lemon-lime soda (7-Up)
1 splash grenadine (Rose’s Grenadine Syrup)

Shake tequila and Triple Sec over ice. Strain into a highball glass and fill with lemon line soda. Splash in the grenadine and stir.

Feel free to use any kind of glass, but a blood orange might be a good choice for a garnish. ; )

Personal tasting notes: Since I’ve been having such poor luck with the tequila-based drinks, I thought this would taste a little strange. This was actually really tasty, and I think I’ll be trying it again! It tasted like 7-Up with a hint of orange, and the tequila flavor wasn’t strong at all. The only problem I had with this drink was its name; mine came out more of a light pink color than a blood red. I think a more “frilly” name would be more suited to this drink.

Day 20: "Alamo Splash"

This next drink is called an Alamo Splash. I don’t have much background information on this, and I can’t really tell from the name what to expect. So, without further ado, here is the recipe for the Alamo splash (taken from the American Bartenders School website):

1 oz tequila (Sauza Tequila Silver)
1 oz pineapple juice (Dole Pineapple Juice)
1 oz orange juice (Simply Natural Orange Juice)
Splash of lemon-lime soda (7-Up)

Add all ingredients to a glass and stir.

Like many of the drinks in this blog, this drink is not classic enough to have its own specific glassware. Feel free to use any type of glass and garnishing you so choose.

Personal tasting notes: Not terrible, but it didn’t stand out among the other drinks. A little on the bland side for my taste. I wouldn’t recommend this to a friend, but not because I just didn’t like it flat out. Just because there are better juice-based drinks out there. Try a Tequila Sunrise instead.

Day 19: "Passion Cocktail"

This next cocktail is supposedly ideal for a romantic night. Even the name, Passion Cocktail, hints at a romantic evening with a lover…

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from About.com):

2 oz tequila (Sauza Tequila Silver)
3 oz cranberry juice (Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice)
1/2 oz lime juice (Tantillo Lime Juice)
2 oz triple sec (J. Brandt Triple Sec)

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a glass and serve.

Since this is a drink with a little island flavor, feel free to use any type of glassware, and get a little crazy with the garnishing.

Personal tasting notes: I couldn’t get past the overwhelming tequila taste. Maybe vodka would have been a better alcohol to use? I probably won’t be trying this drink again, unless I can find a completely different spin.

Day 18: "$2 Fish"

This somewhat obscure drink is called the $2 Fish, but let’s hope it doesn’t taste as cheap!

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from BarNoneDrinks.com):

1 oz vodka (Vitali Vodka)
1 oz tequila (Sauza Tequila Silver)
1/2 oz grenadine (Rose’s Grenadine Syrup)
3 tbsp Tang (Tang Powdered Drink Mix)

Mix up a single, 1 cup serving of Tang (use 3 tbsp powder mix). Add the vodka, tequila, and the grenadine and stir. Add ice and serve.

This can be served in any type of glassware. The original drink that this cocktail is linked to in name, the Swedish Fish cocktail, is garnished with a Swedish Fish gummy candy.

Personal tasting notes: I liked it, but I think next time I’ll make it a little simpler. Maybe I’ll take out the grenadine and tequila and just mix the Tang and vodka together. Now that I have a whole container of Tang mix, I need to do something with it, right? : ) I think I’ll call it an “Orange Gummy Bear” and garnish it with a gummy bear instead of a Swedish Fish…

Day 17: Kati's Original Hot Chocolate with Orange

This next drink is actually an original recipe that I came up with. After getting into a discussion with my roommates about what kind of alcohol would go well with hot chocolate, I decided to mix the sweet orange liqueur, Triple Sec, with my Godiva hot chocolate mix to create a delicious orange-chocolate flavor. After searching for alcoholic hot chocolate recipes, I couldn’t find anything that was simply hot chocolate with orange liqueur, so let’s see how this original idea will pan out…

Here’s my original recipe:

1 cup milk
3 tbsp Godiva Hot Chocolate mix
2 tbsp J. Brandt Triple Sec

Heat a cup of milk in the microwave. Stir in the hot chocolate mix and triple sec, then sprinkle with marshmallows.

Feel free to have fun with the garnishing! My marshmallows were snowman-shaped to give it more of a holiday feel (despite the fact that it is June right now in Arizona). Try sprinkling the top with cinnamon powder as well.

You can also try a combination of other liqueurs instead. Some popular ones I found online were peppermint schnapps, Kahlua, white chocolate liqueur, Amaretto, and butterscotch schnapps.

Personal tasting notes: This is definitely a hit! The orange was a little subtle, so I might bump it up to 3 tablespoons next time. I can’t wait until Christmas to share this recipe with all my friends! I feel like I’m becoming a mixologist already! So sit back, relax by the fireplace, and enjoy!

Day 16: "Bloody Hurricane"

This next drink is called the Bloody Hurricane. Very easy drink to make, but will it live up to the name?

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1 oz tequila (Sauza Tequila Silver)
12 oz lemon-lime soda (7-Up)
1/2 oz grenadine syrup (Rose’s Grenadine Syrup)

Pour tequila into a glass. Add 7-Up and splash grenadine. Add ice and serve.

This more obscure cocktail can be served in any type of glassware and is usually garnished with a cherry.

Personal tasting notes: I want to give this drink a second chance. It was a little bland, but I feel using maraschino cherry juice instead of the grenadine, and maybe vodka instead, would make for a really tasty alcoholic Shirley Temple. Definitely some potential, but I wouldn’t recommend the recipe as it stands.

Day 15: "The Margarita"

This next drink is probably the only one on this list that I’ve tried before. But I needed to try some more tequila-based drinks, so of course the classic Margarita! Without further ado, here is my analysis of the Margarita from scratch. No mixes, just the basics.

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1 shot tequila (Sauza Tequila Silver)
1 1/2 oz sweet and sour mix (Cocktail Classics Sweet and Sour Mix)
1 tbsp lime juice (Tantillo Lime Juice)
1/2 oz triple sec (J. Brandt Triple Sec)

Add salt around the rim of a margarita glass. Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, and pour them through a strainer into the glass.

This classic drink even has its own glass named after it. Can be served either in liquid or frozen form, but generally with salt around the rim of the glass.

Personal tasting notes: I think the basic recipe did pretty well for itself, but I think I went a little overboard with the salt. I also think it is best served as cold as possible, with every ingredient straight from the fridge. I’d definitely be interested to try some of the endless twists on this cocktail soon!

Day 14: "Caribou Boogalou"

The next drink I decided to do was a spin on the “Caribou Lou” cocktail, made famous by rapper Tech N9ne. The “Caribou Boogalou” is my excuse to use my Malibu Passion Fruit Liqueur. : )

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1 part rum (Bacardi Gold Puerto Rican Rum)
1 part passion fruit rum (Malibu Passion Fruit Liqueur)
1 part pineapple juice (Dole Pineapple Juice)

Pour ingredients into a glass in any order, stir, enjoy.

Feel free to take liberties in serving this drink. Garnish with a variety of fruits or embellishments, and serve in just about any type of glass.

Personal tasting notes: Like many of the other cocktails in this blog, the problem with this cocktail is that the ingredients didn’t blend well. It was almost uncanny how each ingredient had its own “feature” for a moment, at least until the next took over. I wouldn’t recommend this cocktail, but I would be interested to try the original “Caribou Lou.”

Day 13: "The Painkiller"

Again, I’m sorry I haven’t updated in a while; I’ve been out of town. But I’m back, and I’m ready to introduce you to the Painkiller! Quite an interesting name...let's see if it lives up to it.

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

2 oz rum (Bacardi Gold Puerto Rican Rum)
1 oz cream of coconut (Simply Squeeze Coco Real Cream of Coconut)
4 oz pineapple juice (Dole Concentrated Pineapple Juice)
1 oz orange juice (Simply Natural Orange Juice)

Shake or stir ingredients, and pour over ice in a tall glass and serve.

Although the original recipe calls for dark rum, the gold rum will do just fine. The Painkiller is considered the official drink of the British Virgin Islands, and can be served in any type of tall glassware. Most commonly served with nutmeg sprinkled on top.

Personal tasting notes: This cocktail was actually pretty decent. I think the nutmeg would be a great garnish for this particular drink. However, I would prefer the more simple Screwdriver, since there was a little more work that went into this drink. I would also prefer the flavor of more orange juice than pineapple juice. I’d like to try this drink again with the nutmeg, but otherwise I don’t think I’ll be doing this drink again.

Day 12: "Jamaican Rum Punch"

Although this recipe is intended for serving larger numbers of people at parties, I scaled the original recipe down a bit for a single serving.

Here’s the recipe I used (inspired by DrinksMixer.com):

1.5 oz light rum (Bacardi Superior Light Rum)
0.5 oz coconut rum (Malibu Coconut Rum)
2.5 oz pineapple juice (Dole Concentrated Pineapple Juice)
2.5 oz orange juice (Simply Natural Orange Juice)
Splash of lime juice
Splash of grenadine syrup (Rose’s Grenadine Syrup)

Mix all ingredients together in a glass and serve.

Although Jamaican Appleton Rum is traditionally used in this punch (hence its name), the Bacardi will do the trick. Since it is usually served in a punch bowl, feel free to add some pineapple bits to the bowl for people to scoop into their drink.

Personal tasting notes: To be honest, this drink tasted similar to a Tequila Sunrise or a Screwdriver. I would put more effort into one of these signature cocktails rather than this. If you’re looking to serve punch, I think Jungle Juice (or “Monkey Juice”) will go over a lot better with the crowd. It didn’t taste bad at all, I think I’ll just go for a more popular cocktail or punch with a similar taste next time.

Day 11: "Lava Flow"

This was my first blended drink, and since I didn’t have an actual blender I used a hand mixer! Despite this minor setback, I was definitely looking forward to this smoothie-with-rum concoction!

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1 oz light rum (Bacardi Superior Light Rum)
1 oz coconut rum (Malibu Coconut Rum)
2 oz strawberries
1 banana
2 oz pineapple juice (Dole Concentrated Pineapple Juice)
2 oz coconut cream (Simply Squeeze Coco Real Cream of Coconut)

Blend strawberries, banana, pineapple juice, and coconut cream and set aside. Pour all rum into a glass and add the blended fruit/juice/coconut cream mix. Stir well and serve.

This island-inspired cocktail can be served in almost any type of glassware, but is commonly served with a pineapple slice for garnishing.

Personal tasting notes: This drink was one of my favorites so far! Despite the problems with my lack of blender, it ended up tasting absolutely delicious, and I actually enjoyed the chunks of strawberry that were left behind. I would change nothing about this recipe, and I will definitely be having this drink again soon! : )

Day 10: "The Mojito"

I was looking forward to trying this classic cocktail: the Mojito. A traditional drink from Cuba.

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1.25 oz rum (Bacardi Puerto Rican Rum)
12 mint leaves
1 tbsp sugar
0.5 oz lime juice
2 oz soda (Canadian Dry Club Soda)

Place mint leaves in bottom of glass. Add crushed ice, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, sugar, and lime juice, and muddle. Add soda water and garnish with mint leaves.

Almost always served in a highball glass with a lime slice and mint leaves for garnishing. Try rubbing the rim of the glass with a mint sprig!

Personal tasting notes: Honestly, I was a bit disappointed with this drink. I was expecting something refreshing, but instead the bitter taste of the club soda overpowered the other flavors and didn’t blend well with them. I’m curious to substitute the club soda with Sprite instead, but this is a recipe that I will not be using again.

Day 09: "Mai Tai"

I was very excited to finally try the Mai Tai! When I was younger, my family and I took a trip to Hawaii and went to a beach luau. The adults got the alcoholic Mai Tais, but the children got the virgin ones. Since I liked my virgin Mai Tai so much, I could only imagine how it would taste with some alcohol in it.

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1 1/2 oz dark rum (Bacardi Puerto Rican Rum)
1 1/2 oz white rum (Bacardi Superior Light Rum)
3/4 oz triple sec (J. Brandt Triple Sec)
1/2 oz orange juice (Sunny D)
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/4 oz lime juice
2 oz pineapple juice (Dole Concentrated Pineapple Juice)
1 tsp sugar (C&H Pure Cane Sugar)

Combine all ingredients in a glass filled with ice cubes. Stir well, and serve.

Like many of the island-inspired drinks, this can be served in a wide variety of glassware, but it is most commonly served in a hurricane glass. You can also feel free to garnish with a wide variety of fruits, but be sure to include some pineapple!

Personal tasting notes: Like the Bahama Mama, I felt that the flavors in this drink didn’t blend very well. There is quite a bit going on in this cocktail, so perhaps it could benefit from simplifying the recipe. Also, the alcohol was a bit strong, even for me, so I would personally care for more juice next time. I still have some mixed feelings on this drink, so maybe I’ll try another recipe for the Mai Tai some other time.

Day 08: "Bloody Mary"

The next drink on my list is a classic: the Bloody Mary. I wasn’t really looking forward to trying this drink, since it just sounds so weird, but I thought I needed to give it a try.

Here’s the recipe I used:

3 parts Bloody Mary mix (Dr. Swami & Bone Daddy’s Bloody Mary Mix)
1 part vodka (Vitali Vodka)

Pour ingredients over ice and serve.

This is a very standard drink. It can be served in almost any type of glass, but most often garnished with celery and sometimes a lemon.

Personal tasting notes: This was a little to strange for me. Drinking cold, liquid tomato juice was not a sensation I enjoyed. I’m not sure what I was thinking, since I hate tomato soup, but I will not be trying this one again. Gross!

Day 07: "The Lemon Drop"

So, I’ve been really excited to try the Lemon Drop ever since I heard it mentioned in the song “Shots” by LMFAO ft. Lil’ Jon. I know I’ve been doing more full-sized cocktails rather than shots, but it’s very simple to make (IF you have bottled lemon juice or a juicer).

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1/2 oz vodka (Vitali Vodka)
1/2 oz lemon juice
1 sugar cube (C&H Pure Cane Sugar sugar cubes)

Using a lemon slice, wet the rim of a shot glass and coat with sugar. Place a sugar cube or a sugar packet at the bottom of the glass. Pour the vodka and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker over ice. Pour into the prepared shot glass and serve.

There are quite a few variations on this drink. You can make it into a fuller-sized cocktail and serve in almost any kind of glass, depending on the recipe. Some shots are taken similar to tequila shots, where you lick sugar off your hand, take the shot, and bite a lemon.

Personal tasting notes: Since I didn’t have a juicer, squeezing enough lemon juice by hand from fresh lemons was an interesting experience. But once that was finished, and the drink was all prepared, I suddenly got a little skeptical, like it would taste really bad. Actually, it was just fine, especially for a shot, and I didn’t even have to bite into my “emergency lemon slice” that I had on hand. Definitely something I will try at parties. : )

Day 06: "Bahama Mama"

The next drink I tried was a Bahama Mama. I’m starting into the rum-based drinks and moving away from the vodka-based drinks to broaden my horizons this week.

Here’s the recipe I used:

1 oz light rum (Bacardi Superior Rum)
1 oz passion fruit liqueur (Malibu Passion Fruit Liqueur)
1 oz coconut rum (Malibu Coconut Rum)
3 oz orange juice (Sunny D)
1 dash grenadine syrup (Rose’s Grenadine Syrup)

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker, and shake well. Pour into a glass filled with crushed or cubed ice, and serve.

There are so many variations on this drink, so feel free to get creative with this cocktail. Can be served in a variety of glasses, but most normally a hurricane glass. Have some fun with the garnishing.

Personal tasting notes: I made a few changes from the original recipe I took from DrinksMixer.com. Instead of the banana liqueur, as the original called for, I substituted passion fruit liqueur, since that was what I had available to me. I also messed with the juice ratios, since the original recipe called for pineapple juice (this was an accident since I didn’t read the directions properly).

Since I took a few too many liberties with this drink, it ended up a little strange. I think that if I had used the banana liqueur it would have been perfect, but the passion fruit didn’t blend so well with the other flavors. I would maybe keep the pineapple out of it, but I’m a big fan of orange flavorings, so that’s a personal preference.

I feel with some tweaking (and following directions), this drink could be pretty delicious. Definitely has potential. :)

Day 05: "Ruby Relaxer"

Sorry it’s been a few days since I updated! I’ve been camping for the last few days, but now I’m back and ready to relax with a couple drinks. I decided to start off with a Ruby Relaxer.

Here’s the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1 shot peach schnapps (Deykuyper "Peachtree" Peach Schnapps)
1 shot vodka (Vitali Vodka)
1 shot coconut rum (Malibu Coconut Rum)
2 oz. pineapple juice (Dole Concentrated Pineapple Juice)
1 splash cranberry juice (Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice)

Combine peach schnapps, vodka and Malibu rum in a cocktail glass. Almost fill with pineapple juice, add a splash of cranberry juice, and serve.

There is really only one recipe for the Ruby Relaxer, but there are many variations under different names. Normally served in a cocktail glass, and feel free to garnish with a pineapple slice.

Personal tasting notes: Honestly, despite the high ratio of alcohol to juice, it was a little bland. Usually the drinks with the concentrated juice have packed a bit of a punch when it comes to flavor, but this one fell a little flat. It didn’t taste bad; it just didn’t have much taste to it at all. But it’s probably not something I’ll put out the effort to make again.

Day 04: "Sex on the Beach"

I've been looking forward to tasting this drink for a very long time: the famous Sex on the Beach!

Here's the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1 1/2 oz vodka (Vitali Vodka)
1/2 oz peach schnapps (Deykuyper "Peachtree" Peach Schnapps)
2 oz cranberry juice (Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice)
2 oz orange juice (Sunny D)

Add vodka and peach schnapps to a highball glass over ice. Fill with equal measures of cranberry juice and orange juice, and stir.

This drink is often served in a hurricane glass as well. Have fun with the garnishes; use little plastic umbrellas and toothpick swords to skewer fruits of all sorts. Make it your own!

Personal tasting notes: I love this drink! I like to be able to taste the alcohol, and this ratio wasn't too strong or too light on the vodka. Also, the juice flavors blended together very well, making a tropical liquid delight! ;) Definitely a drink I will be making again in the near future.

Enjoy!

Day 03: "Hawaiian Sea Breeze"

After a long, LONG day at work, I came home, I felt I needed a bit of a vacation. I mixed up a Hawaiian Sea Breeze cocktail, drew up a warm bath, and played exotic Balinese Gamelan music. I was instantly relaxed as I was whisked away to my imaginary tropical paradise.

Here's the recipe I used (taken from DrinksMixer.com):

1 1/2 oz vodka (Vitali Vodka)
1 splash cranberry juice (Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice)
4 1/2 oz pineapple juice (Dole Concentrated Pineapple Juice)

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake well and serve.

A very easy cocktail to make for when you need that island escape. It's typically served in a highball glass with a lime wedge as a garnish, but feel free to take creative liberties with this drink.

Personal tasting notes: Honestly, this drink could be a lot stronger, and there could have been more than a "splash" of cranberry juice. Honestly, it felt like I was just drinking pineapple juice. Maybe I need to dilute the pineapple juice with more water to help it mix better, but I couldn't even taste the alcohol. But this is definitely a drink that I'm willing to work on improving for next time.

Day 02: "Vodka Sour"

So, for my second day of my 30-Day Challenge, I decided to do a very simple drink: the Vodka Sour. Here's the recipe I used:

1 oz. Vitali Vodka
4 oz. Cocktail Classics Sweet and Sour mix
Ice

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake well. Strain into a glass and serve.

Simple, yes? Generally it is served in a whisky sour glass or a martini glass. You can garnish it with a cherry or a small lemon or lime peel.

Personal tasting notes: Not my favorite drink, unfortunately. I didn't really care for the strong taste of the sweet and sour mix. It sort of tasted like Lemon Lime Gatorade, but more sour. I suppose that's the point of a Vodka "Sour," but this one just didn't do it for me. Not something I plan on making or ordering again. :)

Day 01: "The Dreamsicle"

For my first drink of the 30-Day Challenge, I decided to do a cocktail after one of my favorite ice cream treats: the Dreamsicle!

Here's the recipe I used:

1 oz Vitali Vodka
1 oz Rose's Grenadine Syrup
1/2 Sunny D orange juice
1/2 Dole concentrated pineapple juice
1 oz Reddi-Whip

Pour orange juice, pineapple juice, and vodka into a cocktail shaker. Shake well. Strain out into a glass. Pour the grenadine around the rim and top with Reddi-Whip.

This is a great drink since there are so many recipes and ingredients to be used, and there are different glasses and garnishes that can be used to serve it.

Personal tasting notes: The first sip was amazing! The whipped cream mixed with the citrus tasted just like a real Dreamsicle. However, as I got further into the drink, I felt there were some things that I could have done differently. Since the pineapple overpowered the orange flavor (it should taste like an orange Dreamsicle), perhaps 2/3 orange juice and 1/3 pineapple juice should be the ratio. Also, use concentrated orange juice if you're going to use concentrated pineapple juice. And another thing: maybe more whipped cream could have been used to make every sip as wonderful as that first taste.

I didn't taste the vodka at all, so this is a great drink for people that don't like that alcohol taste to their drinks.

Enjoy!

The 30-Day Challenge: 30 Days of Cocktails

Hello, everyone! My name is Kati, and I just turned 21! I decided to do this 30-Day Challenge to try out a few new drinks and broaden my horizons. When I walked into the bar on my birthday, to be honest, I felt a little overwhelmed and my mind blanked when I walked up to the counter to order a drink. I'm hoping this challenge will help me become a little more confident, and adventurous, about ordering a drink in a bar without a menu.

Okay, so you may be thinking that this is just an excuse for me to drink everyday for a month, and that I'm a 21-year-old gone wild. Haha, no, that's not the case. One, I've already had the experience of being "of-age" when I studied abroad in China, so I've already been through the "Yay-I-can-buy-my-own-alcohol!" phase. Actually, I find mixology a very interesting subject, and I have begun to respect it as an art form.

Okay, so maybe that's a little over-the-top. Cocktails are about having fun, and I'm looking forward to having a little fun over the next 30 days. Maybe you'll even be tempted to try some of these recipes with me! Since I'm a college student on a budget, I've planned to do cocktails that require similar basic ingredients, so I don't have to spend money on an entire bottle of some obscure liquor that I'll only use for one drink.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy!