Cocktails for beginners

The result of my latest poll showed there was a considerable interest in cocktails so I’m going to try and include recipes and serving suggestions more often. Only 6% of you said you never made them compared to 19% who made them at least once a week and 38% who made them a couple of times a month. The remaining 38% ‘rarely make them’ which I suspect means you’re either much keener on wine or regard them as daunting.

If the latter is the case don’t be put off by the complicated concoctions that you tend to see barmen throwing together with such apparent ease. A cocktail need only contain as few as two or three ingredients - a base spirit and a liqueur and/or fruit juice, for example. Many can simply be mixed in a jug or a glass. You can serve them before a meal, obviously, but some make a good substitute for a dessert while others can be a better match than wine with spicy food.

Here are four easy recipes I’ve persuaded two of the bartenders from my son’s bars Hawksmoor and Green and Red to part with. Give them a try and let me know how you get on. (Note that in the UK we generally call a 25ml measure a shot rather than a 30ml one)

From Joel Constantino at Hawksmoor

Negroni
A great cocktail classic - sophisticated but unbelievably easy to make

25ml/1 shot Campari
25ml/1 shot Martini Rosso
25ml/1 shot any London Dry Gin

Pour over cubed ice in Old Fashioned or Rocks glass and stir. Garnish with a slice of orange

Food match: Would be good with canapes topped with smoked duck or crostini with duck pat

Mad Monk Milkshake
Zipped up iced coffee!

50ml/2 shots Frangelico hazelnut Liqueur
25ml/1 shot Baileys
7.5ml/1 1/2 tsp Coffee Liqueur (Kahlua, Tia Maria or, preferably, Toussaint)
50ml/2 shots single cream
50ml/2 shots milk

Whizz in a heavy duty blender with 12 oz (350g) crushed ice and serve in a highball glass

Food match: great with freshly baked cookies!

From Mathias Lataille at Green & Red

Batanga
The Mexican alternative to the Cuba Libre! Very easy to make

50ml (2 shots) of Tequila (100% agave if possible)
15ml (1 tbsp) of freshly squeezed lime juice
Coca-Cola

Build up the drink in a highball glass full of ice, First the tequila, then the lime then top up with Coca-Cola. That's it. Best served in a glass with a salt rim.

Food match: Mexican snacks such as tortilla chips and salsa fresca

Mexican 77
A Mexican-inspired version of the French 75

1 x 25ml shot chilled tequila
15ml (1 tbsp) fresh lemon juice
15ml (1 tbsp) sugar syrup
Chilled champagne or sparkling wine

Mix the first three ingredients and pour into a champagne flute. Top up with chilled fizz. (You can easily scale this up for a party)

Food match: Smoked salmon or prawn-based canaps

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