Wine is sunlight, held together by water-Galileo Galilei
Per the Gregorian calendar, the year is coming to an end and it’s officially the time to wrap up with celebration and merrymaking. While it is officially “the holiday season” in west, some festivities are observed by people in the east too. Most people around the world regardless of their religion, culture and faith, do celebrate the year end with zeal and happiness. It is also the season to go out and enjoy some winter delicacies and exotic drinks with your friends and loved ones. If you drink (moderately, of course) this could be the best time to go out of your comfort zone and try some of the classic cocktails that are crowd pleasers. Compared to food, many of us are reluctant to try new drinks. You may love the pleasure to sip your favorite spirit every now and then, but the art of mixology is surely worth appreciating. The right amount spices and aromatics, blended with the right kind of spirits and served at an appropriate temperature, makes a cocktail something to cherish. If you have a go to spirit, a cocktail made of the same spirit gives you a chance to appreciate the flavors beyond intoxication. It is a learning curve, which requires patience and meticulousness. To make the experience of ordering cocktails in a bar or restaurant less intimidating, we have compiled a list of 6 classic cocktails for men that you can order in your next bar trip. These cocktails are not too adventurous yet very delicious and flavorful. So here is the list without any further ado.
The Old Fashioned
If you love the understated yet complex flavors of whiskey and its appeal, this could be your go to cocktail. It is one of the oldest cocktails, with its origin dating back to early 19th century. The resurgence of this cocktail can be credited to the superhit TV series “The Mad Men”, as it is the drink of choice of the protagonist Don Draper. The old fashioned is prepared with whiskey (traditionally rye/bourbon) as the base, combined with sugar cube and a few dashes of aromatic bitters (preferably Angostura) and garnished with a cherry or an orange peel. It is a strong, layered yet tasty drink that is enjoyed concentrated with a big chunk of ice. As the ice melts the drink gets diluted and even more flavorful.
Gin & tonic
When in doubt order gin and tonic. It’s a refreshing simple yet flavorful cocktail for a drink novice. The ingredients are simple and self-explanatory, Gin and tonic water. It is not as sharp as the spirit is diluted with sparkling tonic water and is often garnished with a wedge of lemon/lime. As simple and straightforward the drink may sound, its origin has an interesting story to it. Gin and tonic was invented in India by the British soldiers, as the tonic water consists of quinine, which was used to treat malaria. The botanicals in the gin are beautifully complimented by the sharpness of the tonic water, elevating your overall experience. You can enjoy this drink at your home too by just pairing your favorite gin with some tonic water.
Martini
“Shaken, not stirred…” these words ring a bell in your head, don’t they? If there is one iconic drink in the popular culture it is the Martini, after all it the favorite cocktail of the most stylish and flamboyant spy of all time, the name’s Bond, James Bond. A martini is traditionally made with gin paired with dry vermouth (an aromatized fortified wine) and garnished with either an olive or lemon peel. There are many variations of this cocktail ranging from gin Martini, vodka Martini (using vodka as a base) or even an espresso Martini (using a coffee liquor or espresso to flavor it). It is best to go with the classic Martini if you are a first timer and also make sure to hold the drink as it is quite concentrated. It is a sharp and concentrated drink with a distinct mouthfeel, it’s a must try if you like crisp spirits.
Moscow Mule
One of the most underrated yet flavorful cocktails, which originated in the 1940s is Moscow Mule. It is a mix of lime juice, vodka and ginger beer (ale) served in a rather unique copper mug. It is less ordered in the bar yet a fan favorite. The ginger pairs well with the crispiness of the vodka and mellowed down by lime juice. This is a cocktail for someone who is experimental but do not want to go overboard with flavors. The drink is traditionally garnished with a sprig of mint to add another dimension of refreshment. The Moscow Mule is classic, enjoyable and delicious.
Cube Libre (Rum & coke)
Rum and coke or Cuba libre is a very popular cocktail, especially in the U.S. It is a highball (a spirit mixed with soda) cocktail made by combining white rum and coca cola. It got the name Cuba Libre after the country of Cuba won independence in the American Spanish war. We all have mixed our favorite spirits with some soft drink while drinking at home, but who knew that one of the legendary cocktails could have a historical significance. We Indians too have one variation of Rum and coke made with our home grown rum Old Monk and thums up. Both Thums up and Old monk are eminent beverages in the Indian subcontinent. So, if you’re looking for a legendary cocktail with a regional touch this one is a hard to miss.
Mojito
One drink/cocktail that has innumerable variations (even a non-alcoholic one) it is Mojito. The Mojito also has its roots originating from Cuba. It is a punch made by blending white rum, lime juice, mint leaves and soda water/sparkling water. In our writer’s (that is me) opinion, it is the most dissected, experimented and tried cocktail. Because of the fruity nature of the drink, more often the drink is flavored with different fruit flavors like watermelon, blueberry, etc. Some bars even serve the drink with vodka as a base. If you want to try the most authentic version of this cocktail, make sure that the ingredients are made of white rum, mint leaves, lime juice and sparkling water. Beyond ranting this is a refreshing drink that you can enjoy anytime.
In the spirit of festivals and celebration this is our list of top 6 classic cocktails that every man must try. Please let us know if you know any other cocktails that could be a part of this list.
Disclaimer: This article does not advocate consumption of alcohol or its abuse. The readers should use their discretion and drink moderately and responsibly.
