LIQUID LOVES: "Shaking Up Your Spirits: 3 Crafty Vodka Cocktails for Every Occasion"
- Lucy
- Oct 22, 2023
- 4 min read
I love vodka, so here are 3 of my favourite vodka cocktail recipes shared with us from our friends at @belvederevodka 🙏
When I lived in Taiwan between 2008-10, I’d had limited exposure to cocktails. The scene was nowhere near as sophisticated as it is now. While I immersed myself in Taiwanese life, I would get homesick for the western cuisine and hospitality. My Taiwanese friend, Piper, took pity on us and introduced us to ‘Cosmopolitan’ a western style cocktail / restaurant.
Well, the first time my girlfriends and I went we were besides ourselves with excitement and tucked into beautiful steak dinners (I think) but my memory is (somehow) as clear as day of the moment I discovered’The Cosmopolitan’ cocktail! I fell in love with the taste and I (having been obsessed with Sex and the City) was finally enjoying one just like Carrie Bradshaw had and I felt just as sophisticated.
It’s amazing what buzz pop culture can create and sat there with my girlfriends drinking that delicious cocktail, I felt the most glamorous I’d ever felt. It’s still a firm favourite of mine as are those memories and when I drink one I’m transported all the way across the world to that table sat around with 3 other wonderful ladies. Just like #SATC ❤️
*I am in no way a trained cocktail creator/ bartender but over the last 5 years or so I have had the absolute pleasure of learning so much from some of the best people and want to share my learnings with you and of course supported with a short story.
The Cosmopolitan
The exact origin of the Cosmopolitan is a subject of debate. Some sources attribute its creation to bartenders in Miami and San Francisco, while others claim it was first mixed in New York City in the 1970s. The original Cosmopolitan drink was created with Rose's Lime cordial and Roses Grenadine, Toby Cecchini says that when he tasted 'ghastly and he reformulated it using the Absolute Citron which was a new product on the market. It was in the 1990's that the recipe was refined and its popularity began to rise.
It was also edited by a barman, Dale DeGroff from the Rainbow room and the lime cordial was replaced with fresh lime juice. It was here that its fame rose as Madonna was featured in the Times Magazine, drinking it in his bar, he and the drink became famous and synonymous with the sophisticated and creative NYC.
The cocktail the had another boost to fame as it was THE Cocktail drunk by the four ladies in Sex and the City in the late 90's raising its stardom even further, inspiring a generation of women to drink it, myself included. It's appreciated for its balanced and refreshing flavor, making it a favorite among those who enjoy a well-crafted mixed drink.
RECIPE : THE COSMOPOLITAN
GLASSWARE
Martini Glass
INGREDIENTS
45 ml / 1.5 oz Belvedere Vodka
25 ml / 0.75 oz Triple Sec
25 ml / 0.75 oz Lime Juice
10 ml/ ⅓ oz Cranberry Juice
DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker and shake hard over ice. Fine strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange zest.
The Martini
A classic, sophisticated drink, there are so many variables when it comes to the Martini, do you use vodka or gin or both? Which vermouth? Do you stir or shake? Have a play and find the one for you, although, perhaps spread the experiment over a few weeks as it is pretty much pure alcohol.
I love to use Belvedere Vodka which gives it spiciness from the Rye based ingredient. I do recommend using a more premium vodka is more desirable in a Martini given that it is the core of the drink.
The Martini's origins can be traced back to the late 19th century. It evolved from a family of cocktails known as "cocktails," which typically consisted of a mixture of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters. The exact cocktail that led to the Martini is not clear. It is believed to have been named after the brand of vermouth, Martini & Rossi, which was commonly used in the drink. Initially, the Martini was a sweeter cocktail made with gin and sweet vermouth, often garnished with a cherry.
Over time, the Martini evolved to become a drier and less sweet cocktail. Bartenders began using dry vermouth, and the gin-to-vermouth ratio shifted to give us the classic dry Martini that we know today. This shift towards dryness is often attributed to Prohibition, which led to the development of "bathtub gin" and a preference for drier cocktails. The Martini remains a classic and popular cocktail, appreciated for its simplicity and elegance.
THE RECIPE : THE MARTINI
GLASSWARE
Martini Glass
INGREDIENTS
60 ml / 2 oz Belvedere Vodka
7.5 ml / 0.25 oz Dry Vermouth
DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients to mixing glass over cubed ice. Stir for 15/20 seconds to chill and dilute. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a grapefruit twist.
The Espresso Martini
The Espresso Martini is believed to have been invented by Dick Bradsell, a British bartender, in the late 1980s. It was created for a customer who asked for a drink that would "wake her up and then f*** her up."
It is now one of the most popular cocktails of our times. It may seem at odds, but make the espresso first and add it straight to the shaker and get making, this way you will create a gorgeous crema that is desired.
THE RECIPE : THE ESPRESSO MARTINI
GLASSWARE
Martini Glass
INGREDIENTS
45 ml / 1.5 oz Belvedere Vodka
20 ml / 0.75 oz Coffee Liqueur
1 Single Espresso
5ml / ⅙ oz Sugar Syrup
DIRECTIONS
Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker and shake over cubed ice. Fine strain into chilled martini glass. Garnish with three coffee beans.
Enjoy making these delicious cocktails and tag us in your photos.
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