Classic Cocktails with a Twist

Recipes by Nathan Spinelli

Perfect for a relaxing night in or a gathering for friends, try these twists on classic cocktails for a refreshing way to cool down on a warm evening.

BOSTON SOUR

2oz rye/bourbon

1oz fresh lemon juice

1/2-1oz simple syrup or maple syrup

1 egg white (optional)

Angostura bitters

Combine whiskey, lemon juice, syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker. If using an egg white, keep a tight grip on the shaker as the foam will expand and want to push the top off. Shake for 10-15 seconds. Add ice and shake again. Pour into a frosted glass or over a large ice cube or ball. Add the bitters on top and swirl into the foam. Express lemon peel onto the rim. Garnish as desired with lemon peel and/or fresh rosemary.

PALOMA THYME

1 grapefruit

2 oz silver tequila (may use reposado or añejo if desired)

1oz triple sec

1oz simple syrup

1-2 sprigs of thyme

Fever Tree Tonic Water or Sparkling Grapefruit mixer

Orange bitters

Combine tequila, triple sec, orange bitters and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake for 10-15 seconds. Strain into frosted glass or over ice. Add the tonic water or the sparkling grapefruit mixer to fill the glass. Cut thin sections of grapefruit and lay one on top of the drink. Garnish with fresh thyme so you can enjoy the fragrance of it as you drink.

NON-ALCOHOLIC ALTERNATIVE: Skip the triple sec, simple syrup, tequila, and Fever Tree and use triple sec syrup (which is alcohol free), soda water (fresh grapefruit juice optional), and agave syrup to enjoy a similar tasting drink without the alcohol.

BASIL GIMLET

2oz Hendricks Gin (or preferred)

0.75oz simple syrup

4-5 basil leaves

1/2oz vermouth

1oz lime juice

Muddle basil in shaker. Pour the gin over the basil and let sit for 1 minute. Add simple syrup, lime juice, vermouth, and ice and shake for 10-15 seconds. Pour and strain into glass over a large ice cube or ball. May add Fever Tree tonic water for a more bubbly experience. Express lime peel over the rim. Garnish with lime wedge, lime peel, or cucumber.

NON-ALCOHOLIC ALTERNATIVE: Skip the gin and vermouth and simply add muddled basil to a pitcher of cucumber water. Pour and add a little soda water if desired.

classic CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

1 sugar cube

Angostura bitters

Orange or lemon

Favorite champagne

Peel the orange or lemon for the twist and juice some of the fruit into the glass by squeezing through a strainer to keep pulp out. 1/2 oz is enough. Put a few drops of the angostura bitters on the sugar cube and add to the bottom of the glass. Pour champagne over the cube and fill the glass to desired level. Express the lemon or orange peel over the rim and garnish. Watch as the champagne bubbles away from the sugar cube at the bottom. This simple cocktail gets sweeter as you drink it.