Types Of Mixed Drinks, Part 1
At some point in their lives, most people indulge in a mixed drink. Not only do mixed drinks offer a wide variety of colors, flavors and degrees of alcohol, they are simply fun to enjoy.
Mixed drinks are often served at parties, get togethers, office functions and many other social gatherings. But how much do you really know about mixed drinks? Here’s a quick primer on the types of mixed drinks and the differences between them. It will make you the expert at your next event.
Cobbler: A cobbler is a drink made by mixing sherry or wine, some type of citrus juice and sugar. A simple cobbler recipe is a Cream Sherry Cobbler. To make a Cream Sherry Cobbler, use the following drink recipe: 2 1/2 oz cream sherry, 1 tsp superfine sugar, 3 oz club soda. Add the sugar to glass. Pour in club soda, and stir to dissolve sugar. Nearly fill the glass with crushed ice, then add the sherry and stir well. Garnish with a maraschino cherry, a slice of orange, and a slice of lemon. Serve in an old-fashioned glass.
Cocktail: A cocktail was originally a drink made with liquor, sugar, water and bitters. Today however the term cocktail is broadly used as a reference to any mixed drink containing alcohol. A currently popular cocktail is a Sex On The Beach. The drink recipe is: 1 1/2 oz vodka, 1/2 oz peach schnapps, 2 oz cranberry juice, 2 oz orange juice. Add vodka and peach schnapps to a highball glass over ice. Fill with equal measures of cranberry juice and orange juice, and stir.
Crusta: A crusta is a drink which contains liquor, fruit juice and is served in a glass rimmed with sugar. Next time your celebrating, why not try a Bourbon Crusta: Here’s the recipe for this fun drink: 1 1/2 oz bourbon whiskey, 1/2 oz Cointreau orange liqueur, 2 tsp maraschino liqueur, 1/2 oz lemon juice, 1 tbsp superfine sugar, 1 lemon wedge. Place the sugar in a saucer. Rub the rim of a wine goblet with a lemon wedge, and dip into the sugar to coat the rim thoroughly; discard lemon. Peel a spiral of orange peel and place inside the glass, draped over one side. Fill with crushed ice. Combine the bourbon whiskey, Cointreau, maraschino and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well, strain into the glass, and serve.
Flip: Flips are mixed drinks that include a beaten egg. Flips are made with wine or liquor, sugar, egg and topped with powdered nutmeg. Flips can be served hot or cold depending on individual tastes. A nice starter flip is a Cherry Flip. This drink recipe is made with 1 1/2 oz cherry brandy,1 tsp powdered sugar, 2 tsp light cream, 1 whole egg, nutmeg. Combine all ingredients (except the nutmeg) in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a whiskey sour glass. Sprinkle the nutmeg on top and serve.
These four examples of the different types of mixed drinks illustrate the enormous variety of possibilities. Bartending enthusiasts seldom realize just how many options they have to choose from. In fact, there are many more types of mixed drinks than we have covered here. Look for “Mixed Drinks Come In Many Varieties, Part 2″ to learn about more types of mixed drinks.
