Hey Leah! The Super Bowl’s at my place this year, and I’m thinking classy cocktails. I’m no mixologist, so I need something easy for about 12 people. Any suggestions?
——Trevor, Seattle
A good bar program survives on its prep and the same can be said for a good party! Just like behind the bar, batching is the way to go. Make a large batch of a tasty cocktail. Your guests can simply pour it over ice and you can focus on all the bets you’ve placed on the big game.
Here’s a great sangria recipe. It may sound like a bit of work, but should only take about half an hour, and you’ll be glad you won’t have to worry about shaking cocktails and missing all the good commercials. 10/10 guaranteed to impress your friends.
What You’ll Need:
2kg of lemons, limes, and oranges with the pith and skin removed
8L water
1kg white sugar
50g cut lemongrass
4L white wine
1L ketel one vodka
300ml italicus
10ml vanilla extract
How To Make It:
Stew fruit in water with vanilla and lemongrass and bring to a boil. Add sugar and turn down heat to low/medium. Stir until sugar is dissolved and strain through the finest collinder you have. Add wine, then liquor. Stir thoroughly.
Leah Pupkin has been a craft cocktail bartender and consultant for the past ten years. She has worked in countless bars and curated cocktail programs all over New York and Australia. She now resides in Los Angeles, where she is currently the bar manager at Stone Street Coffee Co. & Bathtub Gin. Leah produces sponsored content for various liquor brands and runs a blog featuring movie reviews accompanied by craft cocktail pairings when not behind the bar. You can find the blog at thebardirector.com and follow all her work on Instagram @chartreusequeen.
