Cocktails are the ultimate treat when looking for something different to drink. After the year we’ve had, we all deserve a stiff drink or seven, and with the holiday season on the doorstep, what better timing?
Here at Gents of London HQ, we’ve collated a list of some of our favourite cocktails, so you can head to the bar or the kitchen and grab yourself something naughty this Christmas. Here’s to drinking to forget 2020 in its entirety. Cheers!
NEGRONI COCKTAIL
First on our list is the Negroni. Dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, the Negroni was created in Italy by a count known as Count Camillo Negroni.
Unhappy with the strength of his favourite cocktail, the Americano, The Count insisted that it be made just that little bit more lethal by using gin instead of soda water. Subsequently, the typical orange peel found in an Americano was replaced with a lemon peel.
To recreate this Italian beverage, it’s simple. Grab yourself the following:
-1 ounce of gin
-1 ounce of Campari
-1 ounce of your favourite sweet vermouth
Add ice into a mixing glass and pour over all your ingredients. Stir until chilled, then pour into an ice cube filled glass and garnish with your (orange) peel.
ESPRESSO MARTINI
Next up is the Espresso Martini. British bartender Dick Bradsell invented this classic in London bar ‘Fred’s Club’. The story goes that Dick created the drink by mixing coffee liqueur, espresso, and vodka after actual Kate Moss (yep, that one) asked Dick to make her a drink that could simultaneously “wake me up and then f**k me up”. Crazy, right?
For this cocktail, you’ll need:
– 2 ounces of vodka
– 1/2 ounce of coffee liqueur
– 1 ounce of brewed espresso
– 1/2 simple syrup
Grab a cocktail shaker, fill with ice and add all of your ingredients. Shake until chilled, then strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with coffee beans. Voila!
MULLED CIDER
For a proper winter treat, Mulled Cider is elite. Mulled Cider is perfect for those chilly evenings sitting with friends around a bonfire. If you’re looking for a socially distanced festive gathering this holiday season (with no more than six people, might I add), then this is the perfect drink to get the good times flowing.
To get your Mulled Cider going, make sure you have:
– 1 litre of cloudy Cider
– 1/2 Litre of ginger beer
– Some cloves
– 1 orange
– A few cinnamon sticks
To get the juices flowing, make sure you’ve got a few holes in your orange to stick the cloves in. Place into a saucepan, then add in the rest of your ingredients. Bring the mixture to the boil, then take it off the heat, then into a jug of your choosing. Simple!
MOCKTAIL COCKTAIL
For those of you who aren’t a fan of alcohol but don’t want to miss out on all the fun, a Mocktail is a perfect substitute. A Mocktail is essentially an alcohol-free version of your favourite cocktail and can be made by pretty much following any regular cocktail recipe, minus the alcohol.
One of our favourite Mocktails is the aptly named’ Nojito’ (these puns are really something, right?). To get the non-alcoholic juices flowing, you’ll need:
– A handful of chopped, fresh mint leaves
– 8 limes cut into quarters
– 120ml of lime juice
– 2 cups with of ice cubes
– 1.25 litres of chilled soda water
Grab a jug and put in your mint leaves and limes. Once in the jug, find something long enough to beat at them until they’re juiced and crushed. Add in your lime cordial and ice and stir until well combined. Finally, top off with your soda water.
There you have it! The Gents of London list of simple classic cocktails to make at home. Now that you’re a dedicated mixologist, why don’t you invite over some friends, grab your shaker and show off your new skills?
