CLASSIC COCKTAILS

There is a cocktail for everybody, whether you like something colourful and bursting with flavour or something more smooth and subtle. Most of us have our own twist on classic cocktails, but there are some points to cocktail making that stand the test of time. One thing we can all do is pay more attention to the quality of the liquor and other ingredients that we use, according to Simon Harvey, of Camberwell Cellars. “The more boutique you go with your base spirits, the more you want to match it with higher quality cocktail ingredients,” he said. “It can make a huge difference to what you’re drinking.”

Here are some tasty cocktails to try at home or at one of Camberwell’s charming bars:

ESPRESSO MARTINI

For a cocktail with a buzz, the espresso martini is a zippy favourite for coffee lovers. What you may not know about the espresso martini is that it’s not a true martini because it doesn’t contain gin or vermouth. To make a basic espresso martini, add equal parts vodka, Kahlua coffee liqueur and espresso with ice to a cocktail shaker. Shake, strain into a martini glass, and garnish with coffee beans.

MOJITO

Hailing from tropical Havana, the mojito is a real thirst quencher on a hot day. According to legend, the mojito was one of author Ernest Hemingway’s favourite drinks, which he famously drank at a bar in Havana. For a mojito, muddle the juice of a lime, a teaspoon of caster sugar and a small handful of mint leaves and pour into a glass with a handful of ice. Add 60ml of white rum, top with soda water, and garnish with mint.

OLD FASHIONED

The old fashioned is a zesty yet smooth cocktail, originating in Kentucky during the nineteenth century. This timeless classic brings sweet and aromatic flavours together in one refined drink. Mix a dash or two of Angostura bitters, a splash of water and two teaspoons of sugar syrup (or one teaspoon of granulated sugar) in a tumbler. Add an ice cube, stir in 60ml of Scotch whisky or bourbon and finish it off with an orange slice or maraschino cherry.

MARGARITA

There are few party drinks that live up to the margarita. From the salt-rimmed glass to its celebration of tequila, this sweet yet tart cocktail is fun and theatrical. The bones of a margarita are 50ml of tequila, 25ml of lime juice, and 20ml of triple sec shaken with ice in a cocktail shaker. To prepare the glass, sprinkle a few teaspoons of salt on a small plate, rub a wedge of lime on the rim of the glass and dip it in the salt until it’s completely covered. Don’t forget to garnish with a lime wedge.

COSMOPOLITAN

For many of us, the cosmopolitan conjures up memories of Carrie Bradshaw and the rest of the Sex and the City crew sipping pink cocktails in New York bars. This sweet-and-sour concoction is a fun party starter perfect for a night on the town. Shake 45ml of lemon vodka, 15ml of triple sec, 30ml of cranberry juice, and 10ml of lime juice with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Use orange zest or a wedge of lime for a garnish.

NEGRONI

The negroni is a delight for all the senses, with its bright ruby-red colour, citrus scent, and its balance of sweet and bitter. This popular Italian beverage is believed to be more than a century old. Making a negroni is easy: pour equal parts (25ml) of gin, sweet vermouth and Campari into a mixing glass with ice and stir well. Strain the mixture into a tumbler with fresh ice and an orange slice.

MARTINI

Perhaps the most iconic of all the cocktails, the martini is a classic that few people agree on when it comes to the ideal recipe. Since the martini is a matter of personal taste, here is a base recipe that you can adapt to make your own: add 60ml of vodka or gin to a tablespoon of dry vermouth and a little ice. You can stir it or pour into a cocktail shaker and shake. Strain into a chilled martini glass and serve with a lemon peel twist or an olive on a stick.

AMARETTO SOUR

If you really want to test your cocktail making chops, give this classic egg white cocktail a go. Firstly, add ice to your glass so it is chilled. In a cocktail shaker, add 60ml of Amaretto, 30ml of lemon juice, 15ml of sugar syrup, one egg white and a dash of Angostura Bitters. Give it a good shake, pour it into your iced glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange or lemon peel twist.