An interesting conversation piece perhaps? Certainly is for us.
What are the best mixed drinks if you can’t be bothered with cocktails? Or you don’t have the ingredients? Of course everyone has their view, but for our money (and we’ve tried lots of combinations 😉 ) these are 6 of the best;
Gin & Tonic
This is an English classic for good reason. And especially good for Summer.
There are many variations on this classic, so you decide what is best for you. Frankly we’re quite happy with Gordons – a good gin for reasonable money – but with gin the drink of the moment, there are many new gins coming onto the market. Mostly from small craft distillers who combine unique ingredients to make theirs distinctive. Our suggestion if you’re using a gin you want to savour and enjoy the subtleties of is to keep it short.
Harrington and Two Birds gin – premium spirits
We recommend;
1 shot gin
2 shots tonic
with ice of course and a little fruit. Citrus is our choice. But if cucumber floats your boat then why not try that?
Dark Rum & Coke
OK, so everyone is familiar with Bacardi & Coke, but heh you’re missing out big time on flavour if this is your tipple of choice. Dark rums are matured in barrels whereas white rums are not. This means that dark rums have a greater depth of flavour. Captain Morgan is fine, but if you want to treat yourself, then how about a nice Golden Rum? Appleton VX is our choice, but there are many others. Or dark rums such as the spiced Kraken is good with coke. And if you want our tip from the ‘something from under the counter’ section, then try Atlantico Private Cask golden rum.
Flavoured vodka and tonic
Absolut do a great range of flavoured vodkas. Most supermarkets sell at least some of them. However
- Absolut raspberry vodka or
- Absolut peach vodka
go especially well with tonic. Try Fevertree. All the top bars and cocktail barmen seem to be using this at the moment.
The flavour (using peach vodka) does remind me of the old 80s classic the vodka and Russchian – a Schweppes mixer that was renamed Citrus Burst, but now seems to have gone back to it’s original name. Good thing too!
Bison grass vodka & pressed apple juice
If you’re Polish this one will be very familiar to you already. A tip I got from a Polish course delegate I met, and this combination has been a firm favourite ever since. Have tried many combinations, but this ratio is my favourite;
Bison Grass vodka – goes well with pressed apple
1 shot Bison grass
2.5 shots pressed apple juice (the cloudy stuff , not the ‘from concentrate’ version.)
Whisky Mac
Just about the perfect winter warmer. Dead easy to make and rewarding to sip. Any blended according to your preferences. Ours are Famous Grouse or Teachers. Combine with either Stones Green Ginger Wine or Crabbies. I slightly prefer Stones, but Crabbies is a good alternative.
Equal proportions of each is the way the Cocktail Shaker Boys do it.
Campari & bitter lemon
This is our slightly left field offering. Want something different to G&T as your aperitif? Then this is great. Campari is admittedly an acquired taste, but if a combination of bitter and sweet appeals to you then give this a go. It looks great and is easy and inexpensive to put together. Because Campari is relatively low in alcohol (20% ABV) it attracts less tax and therefore is good value to buy.
Cocktail Shaker Boys are happy to provide you with cocktails of course at your party, but if you want some classy mixed drinks to impress your friends at your next function instead – talk to us. We always have ideas!
We regularly shake it up across the Midlands, in Market Harborough, Lutterworth, Rugby, Leicester, Northampton, Kettering, Wellingborough, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Oakham, Rutland, Uppingham, Nottingham, Derby, Coventry, Birmingham as well as wider parts of rural Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. Contact us fun@cocktailshakerboys.co.uk for more information.
