You needn’t be an award-winning resort-town mixologist like Tupelo’s Trevor Brown to mix a decent drink. The back-to-back PCARA Cocktail Contest winner took a moment to share a few tips on crafting the kind of elegantly classic cocktails that will keep your next shindig from having the aesthetic of luau night in a frat house basement. Among other pearls of wisdom, Brown said, “It’s very easy to add too much sugar to a cocktail, so err on the side of a touch too bitter or citrusy and add more as preferred,” and, “Practice makes perfect.” There’s your excuse for the extra cocktail next Tuesday night. Tupelo: 508 Main St., 435-615-7700, tupeloparkcity.com
Three Classic Drinks It’s Time to Stop Messing Up
To mix like a pro, start by mastering these three standards.
Margarita “The beloved cocktail that’s often brutalized.”
- 2 parts tequila
- 1 part orange liqueur
- 1 part lime juice
- ½ part agave nectar
“A margarita needs a salted rim, so do that first. Shake the margarita in a tin shaker for 15 seconds, then pour it over rocks in the salted glass and enjoy.”
Manhattan “It’s a straightforward cocktail, but one that’s easily messed up.”
- 2 parts rye whiskey
- 1 part vermouth
- Dash of angostura bitters
“Put it in a mixing glass with just enough ice that the liquid covers it. Stir it up for a nice dilution to take the alcohol harshness out of it. Serve it up or on the rocks depending on preference with a lemon twist or cherry.”
Negroni “A cocktail drinker’s cocktail that’s boozy and bitter but goes down easy.”
- • 1 part gin
- • 1 part Campari
- • 1 part sweet vermouth
“Stir in a mixing glass with ice for 10 seconds. Serve it in a rocks glass with a single large rock, if possible, and a twist of orange.”
Bar Essentials
Base Spirits
- Rye Whiskey: “It blends better in cocktails and adds a little more depth with a spicy character.”
- Vodka: “You’ll need it for light, easy summer drinks.”
- Tequila: “A margarita never hurts.”
- Gin: “A good, dry gin makes a big difference.”
- Rum: “Start with a good Jamaican rum if you want to get a little crazy.”
Flavorings
- Orange liqueur of any preference
- Campari
- Grenadine
- Sweet vermouth
- Sugar cubes
- An orange & a lime
- Angostura bitters
See all of our bar coverage here.
