A few nights ago, we visited friends for a BBQ, and when we arrived, she had tequila shooters standing ready. I am not the biggest fan of tequila. But this was some decent tequila añejo.

I realised I had done very little exploring around tequila and tequila-based cocktails. The most famous tequila cocktail is the Margarita, and what better place to learn more about tequila when making cocktails at home?

The Margarita recipe comprises tequila, triple sec, and lime juice shaken and strained into a stepped-diameter martini-shaped glass rimmed with salt. The name conjures up images of tacos, guacamole, and enchiladas, as the Margarita is associated with Mexican cuisine.

Exactly where the margarita cocktail is from and who invented it is unknown. A cocktail recipe with similar ingredients was included in the Cafe Royal cocktail book published in 1937. This cocktail was called Picador.

Other sources claim that it was invented by a bartender for a dancer who was allergic to other alcohols but not tequila.

I have seen recipes with different ingredient ratios. From 2:1:1 (tequila, triple sec, lime juice) to 10:4:3. Personally, the best margarita recipe is the sweeter version where the triple sec is slightly more than the lime juice.

Also Read: Cosmopolitan Cocktail

However, looking around, you will find good Margarita recipes in various flavours and variations beyond the classic lime version. I have seen different fruit flavours, like strawberry, mango, and watermelon. Today, I am staying with the classic Margarita recipe and investigate how to make a good margarita at home.

Like all alcohol-forward cocktails, using only the best ingredients is essential. But let’s start at the most important ingredient; the tequila.

What is Tequila?

Tequila is a Mexican distilled spirit distilled from the blue agave plant (agave tequiliana). Tequila is a type of Mezcal, a spirits category made from various agave plants.

Different types of tequila 

1. Tequila blanco (silver tequila): Tequila that is not aged. This typically has notes of pepper and citrus with a spicy finish. This is the perfect tequila to use for Margaritas.
2. Tequila reposado: Tequila aged between 2 to 12 months in oak barrels. It has a smooth flavour and typical oak, vanilla, and caramel notes.
3. Tequila añejo: aged between 1 to 4 years in oak barrels. It is richer, with typical notes of vanilla and cinnamon. A good sipping tequila.
4. Tequila joven  is a blend of unaged and aged tequila.
5. Tequila cristalino is a clear spirit as the tequila añejo is filtered to remove tannins.

Other variations on the theme

Frozen Margarita: When the ingredients are slushed together with ice to create the perfect summer drink.

Paloma Margarita: When you replace the lime juice with grapefruit juice. A soft pink version of the classic.

Tequila Sours: When the whiskey in a sour is replaced by tequila.

Mexican Mule: Where the tequila replaces the vodka in the classic Moscow Mule. The spicy ginger beer and lime juice are the perfect pairing for tequila.

Why do you rim a Margarita cocktail with salt?

According to some research, salt changes the way our taste buds process the bitterness of the tequila and the lime. By adding a few grains to each sip, the alcohol and bitterness are balanced and additional flavours can come through.

How to make a good Margarita at home

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz blanco tequila
• 1 oz triple sec (Cointreau)
• 3/4 oz lime juice
• lime wedge and wheel
• salt
• ice

Instructions

• Sprinkle some salt on a small plate. Rub the wedge of lime along the rim of a glass and then dip it into the salt.
• Add tequila, triple sec and lime juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well-chilled.
• Carefully strain into the cocktail glass with a few blocks of ice.
• Decorate the Margarita with a lime wheel and enjoy.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Blue vs Black Label Whisky

Today I look at a cocktail that is sophisticated and elegant. The gin martini rose to popularity during the 1950s and 1960s when having a martini during lunch was seen as the height of social sophistication. This classic cocktail is making a current-day comeback. It was one of the most googled cocktails in 2022.

The martini is a cocktail made with gin and vermouth. It is served in a martini glass and garnished with an olive or a lemon twist.

Also Read: Negroni Cocktail 

Cocktail aficionados dispute the origin of the cocktail. Some people suggest that it was named after the vermouth brand Martini. Another theory suggests that a bartender in San Francisco made it for a miner on his way to Martinez.

The cocktail was mentioned in an old bartenders manual from the 1800s, and it gave the gin to vermouth ratio at 1:1. So 1/2 glass of gin and 1/2 a glass of vermouth. Then the recipe included some bitters added as well. As people’s tastes changed, the ratio of gin to vermouth changed. Over time, the gin to vermouth ratio went up and down from 3:1 to 6:1.

Variations of Martini cocktails

Dirty Martini: The recipe for a dirty martini has a dash of olive brine is added for a salty kick. This should be made with classic London dry gin to ensure the drink balances the added salty notes.

Vodka Martini: In this version, high-quality vodka replaces the gin in this version. James Bond might have requested it “shaken, not stirred” but according to barkeepers, it is better to stir it for a smoother mouth feel.

Vesper Martini: in this recipe, there are both gin, vodka and vermouth in a ratio 3:1:1/2. This was the first drink James Bond ordered in Casino Royale.

Dry Martini: In the recipe for the dry martini, the gin to vermouth ratio becomes bigger. An extra dry martini will have only a drop of vermouth in it.

Perfect Martini: this recipe uses equal amounts of dry and sweet vermouth.

Wet Martini: A wet martini has an equal volume of vermouth to the gin.

Burnt Martini: Similar to the wet version above, but uses vermouth and peaty Scottish whisky. The ratio will be 1:1/2:1/2.

Also Read: Johnnie Walker Blue vs Black Label Whisky

The Ingredients

Gin: because there is no mix to hide lousy quality gin, it is crucial to use your favourite premium quality gin. A London-style gin with crisp, clean notes should work best. If you choose to make a vodka martini, the same rule applies. Make use of premium unflavoured vodka to ensure the best drinking experience.

Vermouth: Vermouth is a type of fortified wine blended and infused with different herbs and botanicals. After opening the bottle of vermouth, store it in the fridge. Use the best quality vermouth that you can find.

Garnish: The garnish you use is up to you. If you don’t like an olive or two, you can rub a bit of lemon peel around the rim of the glass and drop it into the Martini.

How to make a Gin Martini

Ingredients

• 3 units of gin
• 1 units dry vermouth
• lemon twist or olives

Method

Add the gin, dry vermouth into a mixing glass with ice and stir until very cold.
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Garnish the drink with a lemon twist or olives.

Also Read: Bloody Mary Cocktail

Here on the island, fruit and veggies grow in abundance. Due to the fertile volcanic soil, there is always fresh produce available on the market. Depending on the season, lychee, mango, dragonfruit, papaya, coconut, or pineapple frequently make it home with us.

Add in delicious local rum and you have endless cocktail opportunities just waiting to happen. Just like a mojito, the pina colada is one of the cocktails that shout tropical island.

The recipe include a mix of pineapple juice, coconut cream, and rum. It is served either blended or shaken with ice, garnished with a pineapple wedge. It is the perfect cocktail to make at home with the current abundance of pineapples and coconuts available.

The pina colada comes from Puerto Rico and enthusiasts can’t quite agree who created the first one. According to some research, the cocktail was created in 1954 by Ramon “Monchito” Marrero, the head barman at the Caribe Hilton in old San Juan.

Other sources claim that the pina colada dates back to the 1800s when Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí served the drink to his crew to boost morale.

Also Read: Negroni Cocktail 

Regardless of who created it, the pina colada is delicious and has become popular globally. It has even become Puerto Rico’s National drink.

The name translated means “strained pineapple”, a reference to the freshly pressed and strained pineapple juice used in the cocktail.

Variations on the theme

There are many variations on the theme and some interesting combinations include:

• Angostura colada – with angostura bitters, and lime juice, topped with whipped cream.
• Virgin pina colada – without the rum, the non-alcoholic version.
• Scotsman colada – substitute whisky for rum.
• Blue Hawaiian – adding blue Curaçao for a distinctive colour.

The original recipe included heavy cream that I have chosen to exclude. There are also various rum-to-juice ratios and I again have chosen the one that works best for me. You can play around with the rum-to-juice ratio to find something that suits your taste.  But now, lets look at how to make a pina colada.

Pina Colada Recipe

Ingredients

• 120ml pineapple juice
• 60ml white rum
• 60ml coconut cream
• wedge of pineapple, to garnish (optional)
• Ice

Method

• Pulse all the ingredients with a handful of ice in a blender until smooth.
• Pour into a tall glass and garnish with a wedge of pineapple.

Also Read: Whiskey Sour Cocktail 

One of the cocktails that define the December holidays is an espresso martini. It is one of our festive season traditions every year during the holiday. Experimenting with cocktails. And this coffee kicker as well as the gingerbread martini always make an appearance.

A real martini is a cocktail made with gin and vermouth and garnished with an olive. Like the pornstar martini, pumpkin spice martini, and gingerbread martini, this is not a “proper” martini as it has a vodka base and no gin or vermouth. It feels that any cocktail served in a V-shaped martini glass automatically gets the martini added.

Also Read: Aperol Spritz Cocktail

According to some research, the espresso martini cocktail was invented by British bartending guru Dick Bradsell. He is credited with revolutionising the cocktail scene in London in the 1980s. He created the drink, first called vodka espresso at Fred’s Club in London.

During the 80s, drinking vodka was all the rage, and his combination of fresh espresso, coffee liqueur, and sugar with vodka shaken until frothy was the perfect bittersweet caffeine hit.

The Ingredients

Espresso: strong brewed machine espresso made with good quality coffee beans with a nice layer of crema on top. Instant coffee might be quicker, but don’t taste the same and doesn’t have the nice cream layer on top. Just make sure you made the coffee in advance to allow it time to cool down properly.

Vodka: It does not have to be the most expensive vodka, but using good quality vodka is important. There is also the option of flavoured vodka. I like using vanilla-flavoured vodka to add a sweeter note to the espresso martini.

Coffee liqueur: I always use Kalhua but that is just because I have it available. Any good quality coffee liqueur will work.

Simple syrup: made by dissolving one unit of sugar with one unit of water over slow heat. Allow the syrup to cool completely. This you can add to taste. If you are using a sweeter flavoured vodka, add the simple syrup carefully. I find that between the vodka and the coffee liqueur, there is nearly enough sweetness, and I seldom more than half the simple syrup.

Coffee beans: Traditionally decorated with three coffee beans. Using proper espresso with a nice crema will allow you to float three coffee beans perfectly. Uneven number of garnishes are more aesthetically pleasing and according to some, the three coffee beans represent health, wealth, and happiness.

Also Read: Manhattan Cocktail

How to make an Espresso Martini Cocktail

An Espresso Martini is an easy cocktail to make at home.

Ingredients

• 60 ml vodka
• 30 ml coffee liqueur
• 30 ml espresso
• 10 ml simple syrup
• 3 coffee beans for garnish
• ice

Method

• Add the ice and the ingredients to a cocktail shaker and give it a good hard shake. You want to cool down the drink and get a nice crema on top of the cocktail.
• Strain into a martini or coupe glass making sure you pour quickly to get that nice foam layer on top.
• Garnish with coffee beans and enjoy.

Also Read: Bloody Mary Cocktail

My friend Bernard loves a well-made negroni cocktail. I first learn about this pre-dinner cocktail from watching his social media. And as I am looking at all kinds of cocktails, I decided to investigate this intriguing drink and how to make a negroni cocktail.

According to some research, this cocktail was invented in 1919 by a bartender in Florence for Italian Count Camillo Negroni. While at Bar Casoni, the Count demanded that the bartender fortify his favorite cocktail, the Americano.

An Americano combines equal parts of Campari and sweet vermouth topped with sparkling water. As requested, the bartender replaced the sparking water with gin. He also employed an orange peel rather than the typical lemon peel.

This replacement resulted in one of the most popular drinks, and a negroni has become a classic cocktail. Similar to the Aperol, the negroni is an aperitive.

The classic Negroni ratio is one part gin, one part vermouth, and one part Campari, garnished with an orange peel. However, you can play around with the ratios to suit your palate.

If you up the gin and vermouth volume a bit, it can balance out the bitter elements of the Campari. You can also play around with juniper-forward gin or a more herbaceous gin to change the taste profile.

Also Read: Manhattan Cocktail

Variations on the Negroni Cocktail

Taking the ratio and replacing the gin has led to many delicious variations. You can also play around with the vermouth but the Campari remains the key ingredient.

• Boulevardier: a bourbon whiskey is used in place of gin
• Cardinale: uses dry vermouth in place of sweet vermouth
• Dutch negroni: uses jenever for the gin
• Negroni sbagliato: uses Prosecco in place of gin

The Negroni Recipe

Ingredients

• 30 ml gin
• 30 ml Campari
• 30 ml sweet vermouth
• orange peel for garnish
• ice

Method

• Add the gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth to a mixing glass filled with ice.
• Stir until well-chilled.
• Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
• Garnish with an orange peel.

Also Read: Don Pedro Cocktail