Potions Class: Easy Cocktails
Classics
Moscow Mule
Who doesn’t love a classic mule? It’s light, refreshing, and just plain delicious!
Here’s a standard recipe:
1 ½ ounces vodka
1 ½ ounces lime juice
½ cup ginger beer
1 lime wedge for garnish
Mix and pour over ice. Top with lime and enjoy! Customize the flavor by substituting with any vodka flavor of your choice.
Photo & recipe via Meredith Food Studio
Spicy Margarita
A classic marg if you will - but with a little bit of spice. You will need:
1 ½ ounces fresh lime juice
2 ounces tequila blanco
½ triple sec
2 dashes bitters
1
serrano pepper
1 lime wedge
Tajín seasoning for rim
Muddle a half slice of serrano pepper in a cocktail shaker, saving the other half for garnish. Next, add your tequila, triple sec, bitters, and ice, then shake.
Pour a small amount of Tajín on to a plate, and rub the rim of your glass with the lime juice. Dip the glass rim in the Tajín all around. Pour over ice, garnish with pepper slice, and serve.
Photo & recipe via The Modern Proper
Espresso Martini
Espresso Martinis are all the talk right now. To me, these are perfect for enjoying with a dessert. Here’s how to make them at home:
You’re gonna need:
2 oz vodka
½ oz Kahlúa
1 oz espresso
½ oz simple syrup
A few whole coffee beans for garnish
First, you'll need to fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Add your ingredients, shake, pour into your cocktail glass. Garnish with coffee beans.
Photo & recipe via The Preppy Kitchen
Aperol Spritz
This Italian style cocktail is so refreshing! Perfect for a brunch or evening drink.
How to make one:
Fill a glass generously with ice
Pour equal parts Prosecco and Aperol
Add a splash of soda
Garnish with an orange slice (and an olive stick if you want to want to enjoy it the way they do in Venice.
Photo & recipe via Good Housekeeping
Fall Favorites
Apple Cider Mimosa
There’s nothing I love more during the fall months than fresh apple cider! What could be better? This twist on the classic mimosa!
This recipe is simple. You’ll need just a few ingredients.
Apple cider
Champagne
Apple slices
Caramel sauce
Sprinkles
First, dip your rim in caramel sauce then sprinkles. Pour in your apple cider and champagne, then serve! Feel free to garnish with an apple slice.
Photo & recipe via Goodie Godmother
Spanish Style Apple Sangria
Red wine lovers, this one’s for you! This recipe is a traditional sangria with an apple cinnamon flavor.
This cocktail calls for:
Red and green apples
Orange slices
Sugar
Dry red wine
Brandy
Cinnamon: ground and sticks
Apple cider (optional)
To make this cocktail, first mix the apples with the sugar and ground cinnamon. Let this sit for about 20 minutes. Next, add your red wine and brandy. Throw in some orange slices, refrigerate the mixture for a few hours and serve.
Photo & recipe by A Couple Cooks
Pumpkin Old Fashioned Cocktail
Any bourbon drinkers out there? If so, you’ll enjoy this pumpkin twist on the classic bourbon cocktail.
Bourbon
Pumpkin puree
Pure maple syrup
Pumpkin pie spice
Vanilla
Mix your ingredients into a cocktail shaker. Shake, pour over ice, and serve! Garnish with a rosemary branch and orange peel if desired.
Photo & recipe by A Couple Cooks