Five Drinks Every Lush Should Know How to Make

Oh how painful it is to get back to the grind after a lovely weekend of movie watching, gallery hopping, and hanging with my besties.  I think I will daydream for a few minutes about crisp fall evenings, dinner parties, cocktails, and great conversation.  Ah, pure heaven.  Regardless if you are the host or guest of any such party, it will never fail you to know how to make a few classic cocktails.  Being the mix-master behind these drinks will make you the toast of any cocktail hour, après ski, pool party, or brunch.  

Martini

- 2 oz. premium vodka or gin

- 1/2 oz. dry vermouth

- Garnish (twist of lemon peel or green olive)

Pour vermouth into a mixing glass with ice.  Stir, then strain out the vermouth (the coating on the ice and glass will be just right for a dry martini).  Pour vodka or gin into the ice-filled mixing glass and thoroughly stir.  Strain into a chilled martini glass and add garnish.

Manhattan

- 2 oz. premium bourbon or rye

- 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth

- Dash of bitters

- Maraschino cherry for garnish

Pour liquids into a mixing glass with ice.  Stir well and strain into a chilled martini glass.  Add garnish.  

Margarita

- 2 oz. premium tequila

- 1 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice

- Lime wedge for garnish

Keep your margaritas simple: pour liquids over ice, stir, add garnish, and enjoy.  (If you must, add a dash of Cointreau--or orange liqueur--to sweeten).

Hot Toddy

- 2 oz. premium rum, brandy, or whiskey

- 1 oz. honey

- 1/2 oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice

- Lemon wedge studded with cloves for garnish

Combine ingredients in a large coffee mug.  Bring a kettle of water just barely to a boil.  Fill mug the rest of the way with hot water.

Bloody Mary

- 4 oz. tomato juice

- 2 oz. premium vodka

- 1/2 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice

- 1/2 oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice

- 2 teaspoons grated horserasdish

- Dash of Worcestershire sauce

- Tobasco sauce and fresh-ground pepper to taste

- Celery stalk, pepperoncini, and olive for garnish

Combine all ingredients except garnish in a pints glass filled with ice.  Stir well.  Add garnish.

Enjoy!

Recipes courtesy of Vanity Fair

Image by Slim Aarons