Cocktail
Black-Tie Martinis
By Ian Knauer
French 75’s for a Crowd
Rumor has it that this cocktail was named in honor of the famous French 75 light field gun of World War I. Quick and potent, the drink was popularized by Harry's New York Bar, in Paris.
By Melissa Roberts
Satan's Whiskers
This recipe is from University of Georgia fan Thomas Lanford Jr., who says: "Satan's Whiskers is in honor of University of South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier, who most University of Georgia fans believe is Satan incarnate." Ah, the rivalry!
By Debbie Moose
Bazooka Bubblegum Cocktail
Eben Freeman, bartender of Tailor Restaurant in New York City, developed this bubblegum-infused vodka cocktail. The drink gets its name from Bazooka bubblegum, but Freeman prefers to use Double Bubble because it gives the vodka better color and flavor. This recipe makes enough bubblegum-infused vodka for eight cocktails. If stored in an airtight container, the leftover vodka will last indefinitely.
At Tailor, Freeman makes this cocktail with a house-made sour mix, but for the home kitchen, he recommends this combination of lemon and lime juices, simple syrup, and egg white. The egg white adds a nice frothy head to the cocktail, but is optional. If salmonella is a problem in your area, omit the egg white or use pasteurized liquid egg whites.
By Eben Freeman
Green-Grape Sangria
Surely you've had one too many supersweet sangrias whose fruit chunks overpower the (usually mediocre) wine. This version couldn't be more of a contrast, with a refreshing mintiness and subtly aromatic fruit that still allow the crispness of the white wine to come through.
By Shelley Wiseman
Kumquat Caipirinha
Eben Freeman, bartender of Tailor Restaurant in New York City, developed this version of a classic Brazilian cocktail made with cachaca (sugarcane rum). Freeman's adaptations include substituting kumquats for the usual limes and sweetening the drink with turbinado sugar, whose rough crystals help break up the kumquats. He also adds a soy-caramel sauce—which gives the drink a salty-sweet depth—but it can be omitted. If you do opt to make the sauce, note that you'll end up with more than you need for the drink, but it keeps in the refrigerator for up to a month.
By Eben Freeman
Reposado Margarita
Eben Freeman, bartender of Tailor Restaurant in New York City, developed this adaptation of a classic cocktail. Reposado tequila, aged in oak for at least two months but less than a year, gives the drink a smooth smokiness. If you prefer a more vegetal flavor, you could substitute blanco (unaged) tequila; it's probably best to steer clear of añejo (aged in oak for at least a year but less than three years), which could darken the hue and add unwanted oak, vanilla, or caramel flavors.
To sweeten his Margarita, Freeman trades the traditional sugar syrup for superfine sugar, which gives the drink a slightly grainy texture. Freeman's final signature touch: Only half the glass gets a salted rim.
By Eben Freeman
Daiquiri
Eben Freeman, bartender of Tailor Restaurant in New York City, developed this adaptation of the classic rum-lime-sugar cocktail.
By Eben Freeman
Lavender and Peach Bellini
Editor's note: The recipe below is from Perfect Parties by Linnea Johansson.
By Linnea Johansson
Creamy Limoncello
A bit more decadent, and dare we say subtle, than standard limoncello, this smooth, rich "cream" version (though made with only 1 % milk) will wow your guests every time.
By Lucia Erriquez Castellana
Paris's Crimson Champagne Cocktail
By Lara Shriftman and Elizabeth Harrison
Mint Julep
Moonlight-and-magnolia myths aside, this is one of the world's great libations.
By Edna Lewis
Ginger Champagne Cocktail
Bubbly with benefits? Ginger may help prevent cancer by halting abnormal cell growth. (We'll take two!)
By Adeena Sussman
Bloody Mary Shrimp
Shrimp cocktail meets everyone's favorite Sunday-morning drink. In other words, this is a vodka-infused shrimp cocktail in a spoon.
By Shelley Wiseman
Perfect Bourbon Manhattans
When this classic cocktail was invented, in the late 1800s, it called for rye. Here, bourbon gets to be the star, and the combination of sweet and dry vermouth makes our version "perfect."
By Shelley Wiseman
Sparkling Ginger Cocktails
By Maggie Ruggiero
Rosy Peach & Ripe Melon Sangria
Rosé wine with fresh fruit adds the right touch to this spiced-up menu.
By Sheila Lukins