Shaken & Stirred - Cocktail & Mocktail - Part 1 - Twist in the (Cock)Tail ?

These are just subtle additions to the normal cocktails to make them stand out in the crowd. Very easy concoction which anybody can mix to get an appreciation from their guests. Here is the most tried and most liked ones. If you try this kindly comment on your experience.

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1] Farmers Bloody Mary
************It's a nice cocktail and an interesting spin on the Bloody Mary if you're having friends over for brunch. It's a fun twist that really brings out the fruity aspect of tomatoes. This not-just-for-brunch cocktail gets a light sweetness from watermelon juice. Freshly ground celery seeds add complexity, while dashes of Worcestershire and Tabasco sauces give it a kick.

Serves 4 adults, with juice also for 4 children

Ingredients :

12 cups watermelon chunks (from one 4-pound watermelon, rind removed), plus pieces, for serving
1 to 1 1/4 cups vodka
Ice, for serving
1 1/2 cups tomato juice
10 dashes hot sauce, such as Tabasco, or to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon sugar, or to taste
1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon celery seeds, ground with a mortar and pestle, or celery salt
Freshly ground pepper
Celery stalks, for serving

Preparation :

1. Puree watermelon (with seeds) and sugar in blender. Strain into a bowl through a fine sieve, pressing with a rubber spatula; discard solids. (You will have 5 1/2 cups juice.)
2. For children's drinks: Divide 2 1/2 cups juice among 4 ice-filled glasses.
3. For adults' drinks: Stir remaining 3 cups watermelon juice with tomato juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and celery seeds in a bowl set in a larger bowl of ice. Season with pepper. Stir in vodka and divide among 4 ice-filled glasses.
4. Garnish adult drinks with a piece of watermelon and a celery stalk

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2] Sweet Tea Julep
**********Tea is refreshing, bourbon is revivifying. Combine the two in a minty punch and you’ll have a whole new outlook on life. Try it in a julep cup, but a plastic cup is just fine. You may not even mind the heat!

Makes about 9 servings

Ingredients :

7 cups water, divided
1 ½ cups bourbon
2 cups sugar
1 cup loosely packed mint leaves (plus more for garnish)
3 family-sized black tea bags

Preparation :

1] Stir together 4 cups of water and the sugar in a large saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
2] Remove from the heat and add the mint leaves and tea bags.
3] Leave to steep for 10 minutes, then remove the tea bags.
4] Leave the mint leaves in while the mixture cools to room temperature.
5] Strain the tea into a pitcher. Stir in 3 cups of water and the bourbon. Chill, then serve over lots of ice, garnished with mint sprigs.

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3] Manhattan Extended

***********It’s a nice and chilled, a cool reminder to take a break. Flavors of orange, cherry & whisky perfectly suit the season

Serves: 1

Ingredients :

ice
1.5 ounces whisky
1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
1.5 teaspoons cherry brandy
2 dashes orange bitters
1 orange twist
1 dried sour cherry soaked in brandy

Preparation :

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker let stand 15 seconds.
Stir to chill without fogging ingredients & strain over ice-cubes or into a martini glass.
Garnish with orange twist & sour cherry.
Sip & Chill.

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4] Mango Margarita with Jalapeño

************* This is one of my personal favorites.

Serves : 1 but can easily be multiplied

Ingredients:

2 Oz Grand Marnier
1 1/2 Oz jalapeño tequila
2 Oz lime juice
2 1/2 Oz mango simple syrup
1/2 mango, peeled and chopped
2 jalapeño peppers, sliced
salt for the rim
Lime wedges

Preparation :

1] For jalapeño tequila: add 2 sliced jalapeños to a large jar or container and cover with 1 1/2 cups of tequila. Let sit for 24 hours, then strain before using.

2] For mango simple syrup: combine equal parts sugar and water (I suggest 1 cup of each)
Bring to a boil and let sugar dissolve. Turn off heat and let cool completely. Combine 1 cup simple syrup + 1/2 mango (peeled and cubed) in a blender and blend until combined.

To make the margaritas, rim the ridge of your glass with a lime wedge and dip in margarita salt.
Fill the glass with ice.
In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, grand marnier, simple syrup and lime juice with ice, and shake for about 30 seconds.
Pour over ice and squeeze in lime slices.
Take a few of the jalapeños from the tequila and remove the seeds, then toss them in the margarita.

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5] Pear Martini

***************This lovely concoction is perfect for soothing frayed nerves! The delicious pear nectar is mixed with a pear-infused vodka, some simple syrup, and a squirt of fresh, tart, lemon juice. Simple, sweet, and fruity, this is a martini to sip. Perfect for cool nights or as a juicy cocktail.

Serves 1

Ingredients :

(for one 6 oz drink substitute 'tablespoons' for 'parts')
4 parts pear vodka
3 parts pear nectar
2 parts simple (sugar) syrup
1 part fresh lemon juice
ice

Preparation :

Combine all of the ingredients into the shaker and shake vigorously to combine for about 30 seconds.
Pour into your pre-chilled glass (refrigerate or fill it with ice to the brim and leave it till the ice melts half way).

These were 5 cocktails with an addition.

If you do try any of these above please comment and let me know your experience.

Some more cocktails with a twist coming up in the next part of the series "Shaken & Stirred" so stay tuned.

till next time.....Cheers ! :)

yours ever,
aCeVeNtUrA2