You might say I’m a foodie, excited about trying new dishes both at home and abroad. Food is what makes so much of the experience and recreating the recipes from my travels is a way to relive the fun. But I also love a good cocktail, as I worked for a few years as a bartender. Today I’m recreating my favorite drinks from around the globe.
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Cosmopolitan, New York City
Made famous by the series Sex and the City, the Cosmopolitan is the go-to drink for a girls’ night out. But did you know that it was created in New York City? It’s based on The Daisy, a drink popular during the 1930s, but its modern iteration comes from the late 80s and early 90s.
This recipe is very easy to make, the perfect drink for beginner home bartenders. It uses vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice. It is served shaken with ice and strained into a martini glass. I like my Cosmos light on the cranberry juice, a pale shade of pink. Absolut Citron is the preferred type of vodka.
Cosmopolitan Recipe on Liquor.com
Gin & Tonic, England
I shudder to think of the college days when I’d drink cheap gin with packets of lemonade and fruit juice. I finally learned to appreciate the classic London gin and tonic on a tour with Eating London. I had incredible gin with artisan tonics, topped with accents like sliced grapefruit and even olives!
The essential gin and tonic is made with a top-shelf dry gin, including Seven Dials, East London Liquor Company, and Hayman’s. I love Fevertree tonic but you can also use tonic syrups like those from Jack Rudy. The London Gin Club sells gin-related gifts like tasting wheels and tonic sets.
Gin and Tonic Recipe on Esquire.com
Lemon-lime and Bitters, Australia
When I worked at a bar in Sydney after college, I always worked the lunch shift. People would order an “LLB” or lemon, lime, and bitters. I was unfamiliar with the drink but it quickly became a favorite refreshment to get me through the afternoon, equal parts tart and sweet.
The nearly alcohol-free drink is a favorite in Australia, made of “lemon squash,” a type of lemon soda, lime cordial, and bitters. In place of lemon squash, you can use fresh lemonade or lemon-lime soda. Fresh lime juice can also be used in place of Rose’s lime juice. In terms of bitters, Angostura is the type of choice.
Lemon lime and bitters recipe on Diffords.com
Margarita, Mexico
While the margarita is one of the most popular cocktails in the world, the drink reportedly traces its origins to Kentucky Bar & Grill in the city of Juarez, Mexico. It became a popular hangout for Americans to visit during Prohibition.
The quintessential drink is usually made with tequila, fresh lime juice, and triple sec, usually served with a salt rim. Some like a touch of sweetness with simple syrup or agave syrup. Shaken over ice, it should be an almost white drink in color, not neon green.
Margarita Recipe on Liquor.com
Pisco Sour, Peru
Peru loves its pisco sour, made with a grape brandy made in the countryside near Huacachina. The cocktail was created at a hotel in Lima in 1913 and continues to be served all over the country, including at the Museo del Pisco.
The egg white cocktail can appear intimidating, but is easier than it sounds. In a shaker, combine pisco, simple syrup, lemon juice, and egg white. Shake until frothy with ice and strain into a glass, topping with Angostura bitters.
Pisco Sour Recipe on Epicurious.com
Port Tonic, Portugal
Before arriving in Porto for a conference, I’d never had port and imagined it to be an overly sweet fortified wine usually drunk with dessert. But little did I know that there’s the white port that makes for a perfect summertime cocktail.
Graham’s and Taylor’s are two popular brands that make white port, which I’ve found at Total Wine. Combine with the quality tonic you use for a G&T and serve with some sort of citrus garnish. You can simply mix in a glass, no other tools required.
Port Tonic Recipe on TheKitchn.com
Rum Punch, Puerto Rico
As I did with gin, I spent years drinking terrible rum in terrible drinks before discovering just how great it is. It first happened when visiting the Bacardi in Puerto Rico and later in the Dominican Republic when I had delightful cocktails.
The classic rum punch, which is served after the tour of the distillery, is made with both their white rum and dark rum, along with grenadine, orange juice, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice. Build in a cocktail glass over ice, stir, and sip!
Rum Punch Recipe on Bacardi.com
Sazerac, New Orleans
New Orleans‘ official drink, the Sazerac, dates back to the early days when concoctions like this one were created in pharmacies. The Sazerac de Forge et Fils cognac was used in a drink in 1850 and later inspired the Sazerac Coffee House that is known as the originator of the cocktail.
But it wouldn’t have been possible with Peychaud’s bitters, made by a Creole pharmacist. His drink used cognac, bitters, and absinthe. These days, most versions use the Sazerac branded rye whiskey, Herbsaint, sugar, and Peychaud’s.
Which drink is your favorite?
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