Shake up some creative cocktails on National Cocktail Day
While every day on the calendar seems to be some type of food and beverage holiday, the celebrations are a reason to shake up a new libation or two. National Cocktail Day is March 24 and many people could be looking for a new drink to try. From sparkling sippers to pink potables, one of these options should quench that thirst.
Many people have a favorite spirit or preferred cocktail. No matter the season or the occasion, one person might always order that Manhattan or only sip on that vodka tonic.
For others, the ability to sip and savor new options brings excitement. Whether it is a food trend or maybe a different spirit, the anticipation of that first sip can heighten the experience.
On National Cocktail Day, the created food holiday is the perfect excuse to step a little out of the comfort zone. It might be a big departure from the norm or it could be a simple swap. No matter the case, consider these cocktails on National Cocktail Day.
What’s in the glass for National Cocktail Day?
Florals in cocktails are big beverage trend. Hibiscus can be a lovely addition to the glass, but it needs to be balanced. Contrasting the hibiscus with some sweet flavors can be lovely. In this cocktail, the brightness from the lemon with the florals and sweetness of the grenadine is perfection.
Tropical Hibiscus by Stella Rosa Premium Imported Brandy
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Stella Rosa Tropical Passion Brandy
- .5 oz Grenadine
- .5 oz lemon juice
- .3 oz Hibiscus sparkling water
Directions
- Shake over ice. Top with sparkling water. Strain into Collins Glass over ice. Garnish with an edible orchid.
The spritz has become the must have cocktail. Light and refreshing, there are plenty of ways to modify the basic recipe. In this version, the passion fruit liqueur adds a punch of tartness to contrast the juicy strawberries. On a bright spring day, this cocktail is perfection.
Spring Thyme Spritz
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz El Bandido Yankee Blanco Tequila
- 1/2 oz Campari
- 1/2 oz Passion Fruit Liqueur
- 3/4 oz Strawberry Syrup
- 1 oz Tangerine Juice Squeeze of Lemon Squeeze of Lime
- 2 oz Prosecco
- 2 oz Sparkling Water Fresh Thyme
Directions
- In a cocktail shaker combine all ingredients except Prosecco and sparkling water. Crush a sprig of thyme and add it to shaker. Shake with ice. Fill a tall glass with cracked clear ice. Strain in contents of shaker. Top with sparkling water and Prosecco. Stir. Garnish with orange wheel, lemon wedge and fresh thyme.
While rose all day might be some people’s mantra, sometimes putting a little extra in that glass can be warranted. In this cocktail from G.H. Mumm, the combination of The Glenlivet and Blood Orange makes for a potent potable. It is definitely a slow sipper.
La Rousse – G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé
Ingredients
- 1 part The Glenlivet 12 Year Old
- 1 part Blood Orange Syrup
- 3 parts G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé
Method
- Stir whiskey and blood orange syrup over ice. Strain into rocks glass with cold draft. Top with G.H. Mumm Grand Cordon Rosé. Garnish with dehydrated blood orange and blood orange cubes.
Sometime a light, refreshing cocktail is the beverage that keeps everything going all day long. In this Noilly Prat cocktail, the frozen grapes help to keep the cocktail cold without diluting the flavor. It might be the trick to remember all summer.
Noilly Prat Dry Se Lud
Ingredients
- 2.5 oz Noilly Prat Original Dry
- Perrier chilled
- Frozen white grapes
- Small spheres of ice
Method
- Stack the ice spheres in the glass until the last one overhangs the rim of the glass. Pour Noilly Prat Original Dry over the ice and fill with chilled Perrier. Garnish with the frozen grapes.
While those clouds come on a spring day, many people hope for the skies to clear. With this Mount Gay Rum cocktail, the brightness of the grapefruit and the sweetness from the elderflower can wipe away any gloominess.
Mount Gay Rum Rum Skies
Ingredients
- 2 oz Mount Gay Black Barrel
- 1 Grapefruit
- 0.75 oz Elderflower
- 4 oz Tonic Water
Directions
- Add all ingredients except tonic into the glass and stir
- Add ice, finish with tonic and garnish with grapefruit wheel
Sometimes it is good to step outside of the comfort zone. Banana liqueur is not a common ingredient, but it offers a unique flavor. Combined the honey and lime, it hits both the sweet and sour.
Santa Teresa 1796 El Concorde
Ingredients
- 1 oz Santa Teresa 1796
- ⅓ oz Banana Liqueur
- ⅕ oz ml Fresh Lime Juice
- ⅕ oz ml Runny Honey
- Top with Champagne or Sparkling White Wine
Method
- Combine all ingredients except sparkling wine into a shaker, mix and strain into a champagne flute or coupe and top with champagne or sparkling wine