Hey, Leah!
The girl I’m seeing loves fancy cocktails, but my mixology game is, let’s say, not on point. Dinner is at my house on Saturday. What’s my play?
—Jimmy, Dallas, TX
Jimmy,
I see you live in Dallas. One plus to the pandemic wreaking havoc on the service industry is that many bars have started offering to-go cocktails. Chances are, there is an excellent bar nearby that will deliver special libations that will wow the pants off your date (literally and figuratively). Check out Sfereco at the Statler Hotel for negroni, old-fashioned, and blood orange margarita kits.
But if you want to make a killer drink at home, you can’t go wrong with the classics. A margarita, daiquiri, and a gimlet are all based on a basic balance of base spirit, citrus, and sugar. Make simple syrup ahead of time by bringing equal parts of sugar and water to a boil until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let cool. It will keep in the fridge for weeks. PRO TIP: The secret to an excellent cocktail is freshly squeezed lime juice.
Whichever way you go, I guarantee your lady friend will be impressed that you went the extra mile; I know I would be. Here are the recipes, measured for 2 drinks.
Tommy’s Margarita
4 oz 100% Agave Tequila (El Tesoro is excellent)
2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
1½ oz Simple Syrup
Add all ingredients in a shaker* and fill halfway with ice. Shake until very cold, about 15 seconds. Strain into a salt-rimmed cocktail glass for “up,” or in a tumbler over fresh ice for “on the rocks.” To salt the glass, wipe a lime wedge around the outer rim and roll in kosher salt. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Daiquiri
4 oz Rum
2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
1½ oz Simple Syrup
Add all ingredients in a shaker* and fill halfway with ice. Shake until very cold, about 15 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with lime.
Gimlet
4 oz Gin (or Vodka)
1½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
1 oz Simple Syrup
Add ingredients in a shaker* and fill halfway with ice. Shake until very cold, about 15 seconds. Strain into cocktail glasses and garnish with lime.
*Don’t have a shaker? Fear not. A thermos or a re-useable water bottle will do the trick. No jigger either? No problem. One tablespoon is a half-ounce.
Have a question? Email us HERE, subject line: Ask A Bartender
BIO: 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 Portland, Oregon, where she is currently the bar director at G-Love. 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 @thebardirector.
Hey, Leah!The girl I’m seeing loves fancy cocktails, but my mixology game is, let’s say, not on point. Dinner is at my house on Saturday. What’s my play?
— Jimmy, Dallas, TX
Hey Jimmy. I see you live in Dallas. One plus to the pandemic wreaking havoc on the service industry is that many bars have started offering to-go cocktails. Chances are, there is an excellent bar nearby that will deliver special libations that will wow the pants off your date (literally and figuratively). Check out Sfereco at the Statler Hotel for negroni, old-fashioned, and blood orange margarita kits.
But if you want to make a killer drink at home, you can’t go wrong with the classics. A margarita, daiquiri, and a gimlet are all based on a basic balance of base spirit, citrus, and sugar. Make simple syrup ahead of time by bringing equal parts of sugar and water to a boil until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let cool. It will keep in the fridge for weeks.
PRO TIP: The secret to an excellent cocktail is freshly squeezed lime juice. Whichever way you go, I guarantee your lady friend will be impressed that you went the extra mile; I know I would be. Here are the recipes, measured for 2 drinks.
Tommy’s Margarita
4 oz 100% Agave Tequila (El Tesoro is excellent)
2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
1½ oz Simple Syrup
Add all ingredients in a shaker* and fill halfway with ice. Shake until very cold, about 15 seconds. Strain into a salt-rimmed cocktail glass for “up,” or in a tumbler over fresh ice for “on the rocks.” To salt the glass, wipe a lime wedge around the outer rim and roll in kosher salt. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Daiquiri
4 oz Rum (Don Q recommended)
2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
1½ oz Simple Syrup
Add all ingredients in a shaker* and fill halfway with ice. Shake until very cold, about 15 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with lime.
Gimlet
4 oz Gin (or Vodka)
1½ oz Fresh Lime Juice
1 oz Simple Syrup
Add ingredients in a shaker* and fill halfway with ice. Shake until very cold, about 15 seconds. Strain into cocktail glasses and garnish with lime.
*Don’t have a shaker? Fear not. A thermos or a re-useable water bottle will do the trick. No jigger either? No problem. One tablespoon is a half-ounce.
Have a question?
Email us HERE, subject line: Ask A Bartender
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 Portland, Oregon, where she is currently the bar director at G-Love. 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 @thebardirector.
