National Cocktail Day Blog
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Cheers to National Cocktail Day

Happy National Cocktail Day from the NST team to you! There’s nothing quite like a refreshing cocktail at the end of a long day. To celebrate, we’re sharing the team’s favorite cocktail recipes so you can sip along with us.

Cheers!


Melissa Rue


Lower East Side

Lower East Side

“It’s pretty much a health drink. I mean it’s green so it’s totally good for you, right?”

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. dry gin
  • 1 oz. mint and cucumber pulp syrup (recipe below)
  • ¾ oz. fresh lime juice
  • Dash of spirulina
  • Sea salt

How to Make:

  • Salvaged Mint and Cucumber Pulp Syrup
  • 3 oz. mint
  • 32 oz. simple syrup
  • 8 oz. cucumber pulp
  • Spirulina

Shake all the ingredients with ice in a shaker. Strain into an ice-filled glass. Finish with a pinch of sea salt.


Paige Shewmaker


Cadillac Margarita

Cadillac Margarita

“This cocktail takes a refreshing marg up a notch. The orange liqueur makes for zesty taste that can’t be beat!”

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ oz. premium reposado tequila
  • 1 oz. premium brandy-based orange liqueur
  • ¾ oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
  • Lime wedge, optional for rim
  • Coarse salt, optional for rim
  • Lime wheel or wedge, for garnish

How to Make:

  • Combine tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice into a cocktail shaker over ice.
  • Shake well.
  • Use lime wedge to wet the rim before rolling or dipping it in a tray of coarse salt.
  • Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass filled with fresh ice.
  • Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge. Serve and enjoy.

Natalie DeAngelo

French 75

French 75

“Gin and Champagne make a bubbly wonderful duo, which is why this classic, refreshing cocktail is always a good idea. Who wouldn’t want to feel like they’re jet setting to the French Rivera?”

Ingredients:

  • 1½ oz. Gin
  • ¾ oz. Fresh lemon juice
  • ½ oz. Simple syrup
  • Champagne/sparkling wine to top
  • ½ oz. Grapefruit cordial (optional)
  • Long spiral lemon twist

How to Make:

  • Combine gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and grapefruit cordial in a cocktail shaker over ice.
  • Shake well.
  • Strain contents through a strainer or a slotted spoon into your glass. A large flute or coupe will do. Top with Champagne and garnish with lemon twist.

Price Adams


The Best Margarita (so far…)

The Best Margarita (so far…)

“My husband and I always joke that we’re on a never-ending quest to find the perfect margarita. Perfected in Baja, this is our go-to recipe, but the quest isn’t over just yet, because the pursuit is too much fun!”

Ingredients:

  • 3 oz. blanco tequila
  • 2 oz. triple sec
  • 1 0z. Garn Marnier
  • 1 oz. fresh squeezed lime
  • Lime wedge, optional for garnish
  • Dash of kosher salt

How to Make:

  • Combine tequila, triple sec and fresh squeeze lime into a cocktail shaker over ice.
  • Strain into a glass over ice and top with Gran Marnier floater.
  • Garnish with a lime wedge.

Tanya Johnson

Watermelon Tini

Watermelon Tini

“This drink is slightly sweet, but very refreshing. It’s the perfect drink for summer.”

Ingredients:

  • 1 shot Stoli Cucumber Vodka
  • 2 shots DeKuyper’s Watermelon Pucker
  • 2 ounces watermelon juice (Minute Maid Juice Watermelon or Simply Watermelon Juice Drink)
  • Lime wedge
  • Chamoy & Tajin

How to Make:

  • Combine cucumber vodka, Watermelon Pucker, and watermelon juice in a cocktail shaker over ice.
  • Combine Chamoy & Tajin on plate. Rim the glass with lime wedge and dip into Chamoy & Tajin mixture.
  • Strain into a martini or cocktail glass and enjoy!

Elise Frankel


Paloma

Paloma

“Sweet, sour and refreshing, a Paloma is the perfect tequila drink when you want something on the lighter side.”

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Tequila
  • 2 oz. fresh grapefruit juice, plus wedges for garnish
  • 2 oz. sparkling water
  • ½ oz. lime juice
  • ¼ oz. agave nectar or simple syrup, or to taste
  • Coarse sea salt, for the rim of the glasses
  • Ice

How to Make:

  • Add the tequila, grapefruit juice, sparkling water, lime juice, and sweetener to the glass. Stir to combine and add ice to fill the glass. Sweeten to taste, and garnish with a grapefruit or lime wedge.

Mary Correia-Moreno


Lava Flow

Lava Flow

“It’s an adult smoothie with a kick so it goes down easy. This drink reminds me of being on the beach in Maui so whenever I have it, it takes me back to my happy place and I’m immediately in vacation mode.”

Ingredients:

  • 1 oz. light rum
  • 1 oz. Malibu coconut rum (or 1 1/2 ounces light rum)
  • 2 oz. strawberries (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 small banana
  • 2 oz. coconut cream
  • 2 oz. unsweetened pineapple juice
  • 1 cup ice
  • Pineapple wedge, garnish

How to Make:

  • Blend the two rums and strawberries in a blender until a smooth paste has formed. Pour mixture into a tall Collins or Hurricane glass.
  • Rinse blender. Blend banana, coconut cream, and pineapple juice with ice until smooth.
  • Slowly pour mixture into glass with red rum mix. Watch strawberry mixture oozing its way to the top along the sides of the glass, creating a flowing lava effect. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and paper umbrella, if desired.

Aaron Blomberg & Brogan Bunnell

Espresso Martini

Espresso Martini

“Since I’m an old man it’s a nice pick-me-up on the weekends to stay awake! And delicious to boot!” -AB

“This is the perfect cocktail to sip on with dinner. Delicious and energizing!” -BB

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. vodka
  • ½ oz. coffee liqueur (usually Kahlúa)
  • 1 oz. espresso, freshly brewed (or cold brew concentrate)
  • ½ oz. simple syrup
  • Garnish: coffee beans

How to Make:

  • Add vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice and shake until well-chilled.
  • Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  • Garnish with 3 coffee beans.

Christine Whitman


Pomegranate Gin and Tonic

Pomegranate Gin and Tonic

“Perfect for warmer weather, preferred at rooftop gatherings.”

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz. Hendrick’s Lunar Gin
  • 4 oz. tonic water
  • 2 oz. pomegranate juice
  • 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
  • Lime wedge for garnish

How to Make:

  • Fill a glass with crushed ice.
  • Pour the gin over the ice, then the tonic.
  • Stir in the pomegranate and lime juice.
  • Stir a few times to combine.
  • Serve with a lime wedge.

Anja Riedel


Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy

“There’s something soothing and refreshing about a hot toddy. The coziest of drinks with the simplest ingredients.”

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 ½ oz. whiskey
  • 2 to 3 tsp. honey, to taste
  • 2 to 3 tsp. lemon juice, to taste
  • 1 lemon round
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional, for garnish)

How to Make:

  • In a teapot or saucepan, bring the water to a simmer. Pour the hot water into a mug.
  • Add the whiskey, 2 teaspoons honey and 2 teaspoon lemon juice. Stir until the honey has disappeared into the hot water. Taste, and add 1 teaspoon honey for more sweetness, and/or 1 teaspoon more lemon juice for more zing.
  • Garnish with a lemon round and cinnamon stick (if using).

Enjoy!

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Anja Riedel
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