Classic cocktails

One of things I love about making cocktails is the opportunity to experiment. There's the joy of discovering a new liqueur or syrup or bitters. I like to take a sip and think about what other drink components might work with it. I'll mix a trial cocktail, taste it, and adjust the proportions or add more ingredients until I’m satisfied with the final product. It’s an opportunity to indulge my creative impulses, which (most of the time) results in a delicious cold beverage to savor.

Still, there’s something to be said for a classic cocktail. There’s a reason that certain drinks have survived the test of time. They appeal to a broad range of palates: I’m a huge fan of amaro, but its bitterness is a turn-off for most people. The classic recipes consist of just a few ingredients, which are commonly found in even a minimally stocked bar. There’s no need to buy an exotic liqueur that’s used in only one cocktail (I’m looking at you, Galliano…). The booze is the star of the show, with the other components complementing or accentuating its flavors. A classic is a cocktail stripped down to its essence – a Platonic ideal of what a drink should be.

And so, for our latest cocktail party, I skipped the fancy syrups and unusual liqueurs and returned to these tried-and-true drinks. The French 75, namesake of the Gallic artillery gun of WW I. The Daiquiri, a perfect marriage of rum, lime, and sugar. The Manhattan, a boozy bourbon drink evocative of the Mad-Men era. And the Martini, its touch of vermouth and bite of olive enhancing the gin’s brightness. Mixed on the patio, served in a chilled glass, surrounded by the glow of candles in the twilight – I can’t think of a better way to share an evening with friends.

h.