Traditional Cocktails

After the Golden Age of the Cocktail during the 1940's and 50's (picture the Rat Pack) the classic drink fell on hard times during the 60's, 70's and into the 80's. Prepackaged mixes and bottled juices let to most people thinking of the cocktail as an inferior drink.

The late 80's and early 90's saw a resurgence of the drink as serious bartenders went back to the roots and started making the drinks the way they were meant to be made -- with fresh ingredients and the best alcohol.

One of the leaders of the Cocktail Revolution is New York's Pegu Club and their "Bar Chef", Audrey Saunders. This is her recipe for the Classic Martini. You can't do any better than this.

The Classic Martini

Ingredients
1 ounce Tamqueray (94.6 proof)
1 ounce Noilly Prat Vermouth
1 dash Bitters
1 Lemon Twist

Directions
1. Mix the liquors.
2. Dash the bitter.
3. Twist the lemon.
4. Enjoy the drink.

The Zombie was created by the legendary bartender, Don the Beachcomber, in 1934, just after the repeal of prohibition. It was exactly what the country was looking for coming out of the "dry years", combining no less than three types of that new favorite liquor, Rum, from that mysterious Caribbean hotspot, Havana with festive, easy to drink fruit juices.

There are 100's of different recipes for the Zombie out there and perhaps you have had some good ones. This is the original and turns out a smooth and fruity blend when made with fresh juices.

Remember Don's hard and fast houserule when you start making, serving and drinking Zombies -- "Only two per customer."

Zombie

Ingredients
1 ounce Puerto Rican Light Rum
1 ounce Gold Rum
1 ounce Jamaican Dark Rum
1 ounce Passion Fruit Syrup
1 ounce Creme de Banana
1 ounce Pineapple Juice
1 ounce fresh Lemon Juice
1 ounce fresh Lime Juice
1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
1/2 ounce Grenadine
1/2 ounce 151-proof Demerara Rum

Directions
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and all the ingredients except the 151-proof rum.
2. Shake vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds.
3. Pour the mixture, with ice, into a tall glass.
4. Float the 151-proof rum on top of the drink.
5. Add pineapple wedges, lime wedges, kiwi wheels and/or cherries to garnish if desired.

CLICK HERE to see a picture of the Legendary Don the Beachcomber.

Bite of the Iguana

Certainly calling this cocktail a "Classic" is jumping the gun a bit. But it is a Traditional Cocktail made with real ingredients. And when you finish one of these fusions of the Bloody Mary and the Margarita you'll know something just "bit ya" --but you won't care.

Bite of the Iguana

Ingredients
1 1/2 ounces Pepper Tequila (see below)
3/4 ounce Triple Sec or Orange Liqueur
1 1/2 ounce Sweet & Sour
1/2 cup stemmed and halved Orange Cherry Tomatoes
1 clove Garlic, finely minced
1 Green Onion, chopped
2 or 3 dashes of Worchestershire sauce
2 or 3 dashes of hot sauce
Lime wedges and Orange Cherry Tomatoes to garnish
Ice

Directions
1. Coat the rim of a 6-ounce glass with salt.
2. In a blender combine all the ingredients except the ice (and garnishes, of course) and blend until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture over ice you've put in the salted glass.
4. Put a couple of tomatoes and a lime wedge or two on a toothpick or cocktail pick and balance it on the rim of the glass for a cool effect and serve.

We have a very good recipe for Pepper Vodka -- written by someone you know -- on our website at The Weekend Grillers' Weekend Party Drinks -- Bite of the Iguana. Click HERE to read it now.

The Pina Colada was invented in Puerto Rico. The name means "strained pineapple" and with its delicate pineapple-coconut flavor, is is one of perinial favorites at all parties, especially during the hot days of summer.

When it is blended correctly it is a consistent, creamy white.

Pina Colada

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces light Rum
1 1/2 ounces Cream of Coconut (like Coco Lopez)
3 ounces Fresh Pineapple Juice
1/2 ounce Simple Syrup (Click Here to see how to easily make simple syrup)
1 ounce fresh Lime Juice
Ice

Directions

1. Place all ingredients except ice into a blender and blend until smooth.
   
2. Add ice and blend until smooth for frozen or pour over ice for "on the rocks".
   

For more recipes for Tradional Cocktails, head over to The Weekend Grillers and visit the Weekend Drinks Section.

If you enjoy Barbeque, The Weekend Grillers is THE site on the web for you. The masters of the pit show the Weekend Grillers all their tips and tricks to make you a master of the flame.

The Weekend Grillers

Most of you probably don't need us to tell you how to make a Margarita. But as your "one-stop-shop" for Parties, there's no way Everyday Parties could not include it.

Next to beer, the Margarita is probably the favorite party and cookout drink today. At least by those prefering their drinks with an alcohol kick.

Be sure to buy 100% agave tequila if you can. It is more expensive, but it ensures that your drinks will be of the highest quality and minimizes the risk of headache the next day. Although if you drink enough, or too many, of these -- nothing will help you the next day.

One last thing -- There's no need to EVER make one Margarita. The world's most popular drink is not made to be drank alone. Nor are you meant to drink only one. So go ahead and make a pitcher full right off the bat. You'll need to soon anyway.

Classic Margarita

Ingredients

Ingedients
1 Lime cut into wedges
1 cup 100% Agave Tequila
1 cup Orange Liqueur, such as Cointreau
1 cup fresh Lime Juice
5 tablespoons Sugar
coarse Salt
Ice

Direction

1. Scatter salt on a plate
   
2. Rub the rims of each glass with a lime wedge
   
3. Dip each glass into the salt to coat the rim
   
4. Pour the liquid incredients into a blender or shaker, depending on if you want frozen or on the rocks
   
5. Blend or shake well
   
6. Pour into glasses, add lime wedge to rim and enjoy

Note - You traditionally see the Margarita in a stemmed glass. Unlike certain drinks, there's no real reason for this and it's absurd for a picnic or barbeque. Use a real glass or a plastic one.