The 10 Best cocktail's You'll Ever Have

Everyone needs a short and simple list of alcoholic indulgences for the bar or casual party. Knowing what to order, or what to make for your friends is essential. Through years of personal indulgences, social gatherings, and tending bar both professionally and privately, I have come to know the 10 best drinks you will ever have. I will tell you what you need to make these drinks, and show you how to make them, while dishing out helpful tips along the way. Happy Indulging =)

#10

The White Russian

Don't let the name scare you... this drink is surprisingly tasty and will leave you craving more.

What you will need:

Vodka (preferably vanilla), Kahlúa liqueur, and light cream (such as half and half)

How to make it:

Grab yourself an old fashion liquor glass such as the one seen in the picture and mix:

2 oz of our vanilla vodka

1 oz Kahlúa

Light Cream (use enough light cream to top off your glass. No exact amount is given because of variations in glass size)

Now, if this recipe doesn't float your boat you can fine tune it to you liking. Try lessening the amount of vodka and uping the amount of Kahlúa. Personally I enjoy throwing a generous dash of Ovaltine into the mix and creating a Chocolate Russian.

#9

Blue Hawaiian

There is something to be said for a tropical beverage.. It's refreshing, it's pleasing to the eye, it's absolutely delicious.

What you will need:

Light rum (I prefer the classic Captain Morgan), Blue Curacao liqueur, pineapple juice, cream of coconut liqueur, a cherry and slice of pineapple (optional)

How to make it:

Keep the tone and personality of the drink alive with a tropical style glass as shown in the picture and mix:

1 oz light rum (please tell me you will have a little Captain in you)

1 oz Blue Curacao liqueur

1 oz cream of coconut liqueur

2 oz pineapple juice

Garnish with a cherry, pineapple, and, of course, the classic tooth pick umbrella

If you, for some reason, find this recipe too stout try adding some Grenadine to sweeten the deal and make your glass a miniature punch bowl. If you find the recipe too sweet cut the amount of Blue Curacao and pineapple juice in half and enjoy.

# 8

Sex On The Beach

No worries... this drink is in no way a dirty or scandalous concoction. It is simply a vamped screwdriver with a twist. It is said that you have not lived until you have had a Sex On The Beach

What you will need:

Vodka (preferably something fruity, I like Three Olives, orange flavor), Peach Schnapps, cranberry juice, orange juice, Two cherries and an orange slice (optional)

How to make it:

Snatch any glass you have lying around and mix:

1 1/2 oz vodka

1/2 oz peach schnapps

2 oz cranberry juice

2 oz orange juice

Garnish with two cherries connected by a toothpick and an orange slice

As previously stated try variations of vodka. Alter the recipe to your liking with different flavors of vodka: orange, watermelon, lemon etc.. I recommend Three Olives Vodka for any drink you are mixing. It is a high quality vodka at a more affordable cost than the renowned Grey Goose and Sky vodkas. Believe me you will learn to love Three Olives vodka.

#7

Mimosa

Alright folks it is time to celebrate and you are tired of the same old mundane champagne.. Let's spruce it up a bit.

What you will need:

Chilled Champagne of your liking, Triple Sec, cold orange juice, slice of orange (optional)

How to make it:

Grab those dusty champagne flutes that haven't been used since last New Year's and give them a run under the sink... They are about to see some serious action.

3 1/2 oz Chilled Champagne

1/2 oz Triple Sec

1 1/2 oz orange juice

Garnish with a slice of orange for the fullest flavor

Recipe to flat? Try adding a splash of sparkling wine into the mix for an added boost of that tingling sensation you love so much

#6

Tequila Sunrise

Now picture yourself on vacation on a Mexican beach.. You should have a drink in hand.. The Tequila Sunrise is the drink for you. It is a perfect blend of tangy orange and sweet cherry flavor for any occasion... you don't have to be on a Mexican beach to drink one, however nice that sounds.

What you need:

Tequila (white or gold, I prefer gold), orange juice, grenadine, Cherry, lemon slice or mango (optional)

How to make it:

Get in the mood to drink.. Once you have one Tequila Sunrise you will not want to stop drinking them.

2 oz Tequila

4 oz orange juice

3/4 oz grenadine

Garnish with cherry and lemon, or, my way, garnish with slices of star fruit and mango.

For this drink I recommend Two Fingers Gold Tequila. Tune the amount of grenadine to your taste. Be careful not to overdue the grenadine, however. This can cause your Sunrise to be too sweet and syrupy.

#5

A Classic: Whiskey and Coke

Not every drink has to be fruity or tangy. I recommend Whiskey and Coke for any occasion. Namely, a relaxing evening at home with a smooth and classic drink. You cannot call yourself a drinker until you have had a proper Whiskey and Coke.

What you will need:

Cola (I recommend Coca Cola Classic, avoid diet colas)

Whiskey of your choice (preferably Jack Daniels, Crown Royal for special occasions)

How to Make it:

Grab a comfortable glass, you will be using it all night..

2 oz whiskey

about 10 oz cola

If you are new to the wonderful world of Whiskey tone the dosage down to about 1 to 1 1/2 oz whiskey and let the flavor grow on you. If you are an experienced whiskey drinker try some variety with different types of whiskey: Old Charter, Irish Jameson whiskey, and try some bourbon i recommend Jim Bean

#4

Long Island Ice Tea

It's time to try a little stronger beverage.. It's time for a highball known as the Long Island Ice Tea. This drink, despite it's high alcohol content, is surprisingly soothing and smooth.

What you will need:

Vodka, rum, gin, and tequila of your choice. You will also need triple sec, sweet and sour mix, cola, slice of lemon (optional)

How to make it:

Grab a tall glass and mix:

1/2 oz vodka

1/2 oz gin

1/2 oz triple sec

1/2 oz rum

1/2 oz tequila

2 oz sweet and sour mix

Top off your glass with a splash of cola and garnish with a slice of lemon

Alter the recipe to your taste buds of course. Try replacing the tequila with bourbon, toning down the sweet and sour mix, or doing away with the gin.

#3

Bloody Mary

It's time to get started drinking.. but it's only 11 AM. What should you drink? The Bloody Mary is the perfect drink for you. The perfect spicy tomato flavor will cure any hangover and get you ready for round two.

What you will need:

Vodka, tomato juice, lemon juice, lime juice,Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco® sauce. Tomato slice, lemon slice, lime slice and a stalk of celery (all optional)

How to make it:

Grab whatever glass wasn't used last night and mix:

1 1/2 oz vodka

3 oz tomato juice

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp lime juice

1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

5 - 6 drops Tabasco® sauce

Garnish with a slice of tomato, lime, lemon, and a stalk of celery.

While the celery is optional I do heavily recommend using a stalk of celery as it will offer a nice break from the spiciness of the drink. Also, try garnishing with a nice shrimp and make your drink a nice bloody shrimp cocktail

If your not big on spicy foods and drinks then the Bloody Mary is not the drink for you. However, if you are a spicy drink lover, like myself, use more Tabasco sauce in you recipe.

#2

Appletini

Alright guys this one is for you too. The Appletini is delicious regardless of gender. Though it is typically favored by females don't be scared to try one guys... Once you have a proper Appletini you will never be scared to have another.

What you will need:

Vodka (I recommend Three Olives Green Apple), Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps

How to make it:

Grab a martini glass, if you don't have one run to the store and pick one up.. I promise you will use it again. Mix:

2 oz of our Green Apple Three Olives vodka

1 oz Sour Apple Pucker Schnapps

Garnish with a slice of a green apple and/or cherry/strawberry

There are variations of this recipe including some that add a dash of sweet and sour mix or a dash of lemon. You may replace the Apple Pucker Schnapps with apple cider but i don't recommend it. The Appletini should not be served over ice, it should be mixed in a cocktail shaker loaded with ice and porn into your martini glass.

#1

Mai Tai

It is time to show how to make and thoroughly enjoy the best drink you will ever have... It is known as a Mai Tai and is a scrumptious tropical beverage that is perfect for any occasion under the sun.. Enjoy ;)

What you will need:

Light Rum, dark rum (I recommend Myers dark rum), triple sec, pineapple juice, orange juice, sweet and sour mix, grenadine, lime juice. Cherry and slice of pineapple are optional garnishes. Also, a nice umbrella tooth pick is aesthetically pleasing.

How to make it:

Grab a tropical glass or a standard liquor glass and mix:

1 1/4 ounces light rum

1/2 ounce triple sec

3/4 ounce orange juice

3/4 ounce pineapple juice

1/2 ounce dark rum (preferably Myers)

1/4 oz lime juice

1 dash of grenadine

Garnish with a cherry, slice of pineapple, and an umbrella toothpick. Serve over ice or use a cocktail shaker to bring out the full flavor.

Now this drink is somewhat complicated. However, it is well worth the prep time. Some recipes call for almond syrups. Moreover, I personally believe that the almond syrup is unnecessary and make the drink to sweet. As usual. tone the beverage to your liking. I guarantee you will love this drink. Enjoy!

Top Ten Ways to Increase Your Alcohol Tolerance

f you’re a first-time drinker, chances are you have a low tolerance for alcohol. You may end up really tipsy with your first three bottles of light beer, and totally wasted with your fourth bottle. There’s really no difference between tipsiness and drunkenness; after just a few drinks, you may end up doing something really stupid. If you don’t like to be the butt of jokes because you did some silly dance routine and ended up puking on the floor, you need to increase your alcohol tolerance level. Here are 10 ways to make you a seasoned drinking pro in no time:

1. Trust Your Tongue

Many first-time drinkers make the mistake of drinking as much as they can without knowing how drunk they really are. You don’t need to bring a breath analyzer every time you go out drinking; instead, you can test how drunk you are through your taste buds. If you have too much alcohol in your system, you wouldn’t taste the many different flavors in the drink. As soon as you feel that you do not taste the full flavor of the alcoholic beverage, chances are you’re already drunk.

2. Puke If You Have To

There’s no shame in going to the bathroom every so often to vomit. Vomiting is your body’s natural reaction to body toxins like poisoned food, harmful parasites, and alcohol. An expert drinker would make a trip to the bathroom, stick a finger into his or her mouth, and vomit as much of the drink out. Vomiting makes them ready for the next round of drinks. Make sure you vomit straight into the toilet, and not into the bathroom sink or on the floor.

3. Do Not Try Mixed Drinks

Mixed drinks are a no-no for a novice drinker. A rum cola or a piñacolada may sound delicious, but they are mixed for those who are able to handle their drinks. Mixed drinks tend to screw up with your digestive system. The flavors of mixed drinks also mask the high alcohol content found in the liquor present in the drink. If you’re a first-time drinker, you’re better off drinking alcohol straight than to down mixed drinks and cocktails. As soon as you have learned to handle straight drinks, then you can tickle your taste buds with an alcoholic cocktail.

4. Never Drink On An Empty Stomach

There’s a good reason why bars, taverns, clubs and watering holes give away free peanuts. The human body is naturally averse to high levels of alcohol. To reduce the toxic effects of alcoholic drinks, you need something that would absorb the excess alcohol. Food particles in your stomach can help reduce the amount of pure alcohol absorbed by your stomach lining, your kidneys, and other parts of the digestive and urinary system. While you may seem more “brave” or “hardcore” by not munching on snacks while you drink, you introduce more pure alcohol into your body.

5. Stick With One Drink

You may have heard of wild and wacky bar tricks like beer shooters, gin-and-brandy mixes set on fire, or drinking a cocktail made from four different types of whiskey. While these drinks sound interesting, they can land you in the emergency room if you have a rather low alcohol tolerance. The best way to “train” yourself for consuming alcohol is to pick a favorite drink, and stick with it until you think you’re ready to move on to stronger alcoholic drinks.

6. Pace Yourself

It’s an old drinker’s tale that the faster you drink, the less drunk you will become at the end of the day. There’s really no difference whether you take all night to drink six bottles, or if you take six minutes to finish six bottles. You still consume the same amount of alcohol. You still need to watch out for how fast you introduce alcohol into your system, because your metabolic systems may not be able to keep up.

7. Start With Clear Drinks

“Old man liquor” like brandy, whiskey, and cognac contain substances called tannins. Tannins make it difficult for some people to drink a wine or a liquor, especially red wines and colored drinks. Tannins are also responsible for those hangovers where you get a throbbing headache the morning after a drinking session. If it’s your first time to drink strong alcoholic beverages, drink clear spirits like gin or vodka. Clear spirits do not contain tannins, and are easier to drink than colored spirits. If you do choose to move up to colored drinks, try your palate on a glass of pale red wine.

8. Know When To Stop

After your first few rounds of alcohol, you may feel so enthusiastic about drinking that you end up drinking highballs at the very first night. Like any skill, it takes time to learn how to handle high concentrations of alcohol in your body. Alcohol poisoning is a very real danger, especially for novice drinkers. There are many cases of first-time drinkers who start swilling alcohol like crazy on their very first drink, and then end up at the emergency room. Whenever you drink alcohol and you have yet to know your tolerance, know your limits. As soon as you feel that you’re no longer thinking straight, put down the bottle and call it a night.

9. Stay Alert

Metabolism is an important part of drinking. Your body needs to break down as much of the alcohol as it can to prevent the toxic effects of a bad hangover. Your body metabolizes faster when you’re alert than if you’re asleep. Hangovers get really bad if your metabolism levels slow down, and much of the the alcohol remains floating around your system (Learn how to get rid of hangovers). For your body to properly metabolize alcohol, keep yourself awake. You should also keep a keen eye for anyone who may rob or take advantage of you if you’re drunk.

10. Drink In Moderation

The problem with alcohol is that once you get the hang of holding down a drink, you may probably end up addicted to it. Remember that every alcoholic started out a first-time drinker. The best way for you to improve your tolerance for alcohol is to drink, but you have to drink in moderation. Set a limit or a goal, and then slowly and gradually work your way to that goal. As soon as you reach that limit (eight bottles of beer, for example), you should attempt to go beyond it or cap it off with another drink.



Drinking is a pleasurable social activity, but it should only be enjoyed with prudence and discretion. Now that you know how to increase your alcohol tolerance level, you’re sure to enjoy those all-night drinking parties without having a bad experience on your very first time.