Elevate Your Cocktail Game: Unique Twists on Classic Favourites

Are you tired of the same old cocktails? It’s time to shake things up and give your favourite classic cocktails a modern twist! From the timeless Old Fashioned to the refreshing Margarita, we’re taking these beloved drinks to the next level. Here are five innovative variations to tantalize your taste buds:

1. Old Fashioned: Smoky Maple Old Fashioned

Recipe:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 1/2 oz maple syrup
• 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
• Garnish: orange peel and a smoky cinnamon stick

Instructions:

1. In a mixing glass, combine bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters.
2. Stir well with ice until chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
4. Express the oils from an orange peel over the drink and garnish with a smoky cinnamon stick.

Why it’s a Twist: The addition of maple syrup adds a rich, sweet depth to the classic Old Fashioned, while the smoky cinnamon stick enhances the aroma and flavor profile.

2. Margarita: Spicy Pineapple Margarita

Recipe:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz triple sec
• 1/2 oz jalapeño-infused agave syrup
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• Garnish: jalapeño slice and pineapple wedge

Instructions:

1. Rim a glass with salt (optional) and fill it with ice.
2. In a shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, triple sec, jalapeño-infused agave syrup, and pineapple juice.
3. Shake well and strain into the prepared glass.
4. Garnish with a slice of jalapeño and a pineapple wedge.

Why it’s a Twist: The spicy kick from the jalapeño-infused agave syrup combined with the sweet tanginess of pineapple gives this Margarita a unique and refreshing flavor profile.

3. Mojito: Berry Basil Mojito

Recipe:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz simple syrup
• 4-6 fresh basil leaves
• Handful of mixed berries (strawberries, blackberries, raspberries)
• Soda water
• Garnish: basil leaf and mixed berries

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, muddle basil leaves and mixed berries.
2. Add rum, lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well.
4. Strain into a glass filled with ice and top with soda water.
5. Garnish with a basil leaf and a few mixed berries.

Why it’s a Twist: The addition of fresh basil and mixed berries adds a delightful herbal and fruity complexity to the classic Mojito, elevating its taste and visual appeal.

4. Sazerac: Smoked Maple Sazerac

Recipe:

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• 1/4 oz maple syrup
• 3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
• Absinthe rinse
• Garnish: lemon twist

Instructions:

1. Rinse a chilled glass with absinthe and discard the excess.
2. In a mixing glass, combine rye whiskey, maple syrup, and Peychaud’s bitters.
3. Stir well with ice until chilled.
4. Strain into the prepared glass.
5. Express the oils from a lemon twist over the drink and garnish.

Why it’s a Twist: The subtle sweetness of maple syrup and the smokiness from the absinthe rinse add depth and complexity to the traditional Sazerac, creating a truly memorable cocktail experience.

5. Bloody Mary: Kimchi Bloody Mary

Recipe:

• 1 1/2 oz vodka
• 3 oz tomato juice
• 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
• 1/2 oz soy sauce
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp Sriracha sauce
• 1/4 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 tsp grated ginger
• 1/4 tsp grated garlic
• 1/4 cup chopped kimchi
• Garnish: kimchi spear, celery stalk, lime wedge

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine all ingredients except garnishes.
2. Shake well and strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Garnish with a kimchi spear, celery stalk, and a lime wedge.

Why it’s a Twist: The addition of kimchi, along with Asian-inspired spices and flavors, gives this Bloody Mary a unique umami-rich taste with a spicy kick, perfect for adventurous palates.

Give these innovative twists on classic cocktails a try and impress your guests with your mixology skills! Cheers to unforgettable drinks and unforgettable memories.