Food and Drink Content // Sophisticated Cocktails to Make at Home*

We all love cocktails, and what better way to evoke memories of holidays and sipping cocktails by the pool than making your own cocktails? Making cocktails does not have to be difficult, and despite what you might think, it need not require an extensive list of expensive ingredients.

You can make sophisticated cocktails at home and surprise your friends and guests. When planning a cocktail party, the important thing to remember is to plan ahead so that you have all the ingredients you need for your cocktails. Make sure that you have all the accessories that you require such as plenty of ice and garnishes. Try creating cocktails with some colored spirits, as these will create a more dramatic impact.

Mojito is a classic cocktail that is easy to make. Beautifully refreshing for a summer evening, this cocktail only needs a few ingredients. The mojito cocktail is made primarily from white rum, so it is important that you select quality rum such as Bacardi Cuba. When you are using only a few ingredients, it is doubly important to ensure that they are good quality ingredients. To make the mojito, you simply squeeze and add two lime wedges to a glass. Then tear up ten mint leaves and mix in with the lime. Next, fill the glass with ice and add 15 ml of sugar syrup and 45 ml of white rum. Then top with soda to taste.

The Cosmopolitan is another cocktail that is simple to make, but with its blush pink color, it is sure to be a sophisticated hit. The ingredients for the cocktail are simply vodka, cranberry juice and lime. To show the drink off to the best effect, use a martini glass. If you have a cocktail shaker, fill it three-quarters full with ice. Add 45 ml of vodka and 45 ml of cranberry juice. Squeeze two wedges of lime and add to the shaker. Shake well and then strain the cocktail into the glass. Garnish the glass with a peel of orange, which you can flame to extract the oil essence before dropping it into the drink.

Pina Colada is a fun drink that will remind everyone of tropical evenings around the pool or on the beach. Again, a key ingredient is white rum, which should be chosen for its good quality. Use a hurricane glass for the cocktail and rim the glass with desiccated coconut. Next, blend 45 ml of white rum, 10 ml of coconut syrup, 100 ml of pineapple juice, 30 ml of cream or coconut cream, a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a scoop of crushed ice. Pour into the glass and garnish with slices of pineapple. You can also make a mango colada by simply replacing the pineapple with mango.

Cocktails are a great way of getting a party off with a bang. They can be as sophisticated or fun as you want depending on your mood. Simply choose some classic cocktails that do not need a vast array of ingredients and serve!