Make your own cocktails at home. Why not?! This may seem strange advice coming from us. Especially as we make money by encouraging you to let us do it for you! But actually, we’re keen to encourage the whole cocktailia thing. This includes having a go yourself. We enjoy a little mixology and given that you’re here reading this, chances are you do too.
Cocktails are a great way of adding a bit of a talking point to your dinner party or your girls night in. Plus they add some glamour too. So if it’s a girls night in, why not suggest everyone bring a bottle of spirits and you’re job done. Alternatively, if you’re having a dinner party, chances are you have some of the bottles you need, so hopefully you won’t have to buy much else.
Couple of key bits of advice. First ice. This is a must with the vast majority of cocktails. Yes of course, you can buy some from the supermarket on the day if you wish, but making some up in ice-trays in advance is a cheaper alternative of course.
Second you need a shaker. Perhaps, you haven’t got one. But if you’re interested in cocktails, hopefully you know of someone you could borrow one (or two) from. Or if that doesn’t work then a clean, glass jar with screw top should do the job. But not the one you had olives or your picked onions from Christmas in.
What bottles do I need?
This is admittedly the more expensive bit of the evening. so if spreading the load is appropriate – then fine. But it’s worth collecting a few bottles over time, so that you’re geared up and ready. In his brilliant books Cocktails made easy – Simon Difford shows you how you can make over 500 cocktails from just 14 alcoholic ingredients. So that’s where to draw your ‘stock’ list from. He suggests you need;
- Scotch whisky
- Bourbon
- Brandy / Cognac
- Rum
- Tequila
- Gin
- Vodka
- White Fizz : Prosecco is a good choice
- Cointreau
- Grand Marnier
- Chambord
- Apricot brandy
- White vermouth
- Red vermouth
Yes of course, you’ll need some mixers to go with this lot, such as fruit juices, but pick your selection carefully and you should find that you won’t need too many. We’d recommend a selection of 5 cocktails for your group should be enough to give everyone a fair choice. Also a couple of non-alcoholic options for drivers, those who choose not to drink and you should be about there.
There are some great recipes and cocktail menus on the internet or in books. So, go with it and have an enjoyable event. Cheers (as we frequently say !) If you’re ready for being more experimental though, have a look at our head mixologists blog, which you can find here.
Alternatively, if this all seems like too much bother and you’d like ‘the boys’ to come round and do it for you, just let us know at info@cocktailshakerboys.co.uk or on the phone 01858 898154. We love mixing it up, shaking, stirring and muddling your cocktails in Leicester, Northampton, Birmingham, Coventry, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, Oakham, Uppingham, Rutland, Nuneaton, Kenilworth, Leamington Spa, Warwick, Melton Mowbray, Market Harborough, Lutterworth, Rugby, Nottingham, Derby and Milton Keynes.