The 3 Basic Cocktails and How to Make Them

If you are hosting a holiday party this month, you should impress your guests with some fancy bartending skills. But you don’t have to put in a lot of studying and practice. All you really need is some basic bartending knowledge. A good place to start is by learning what the three basic cocktails are and how to make them. Continue below to get started!

Classic Cocktails Downtown Indianapolis 317-822-5070
Classic Cocktails Downtown Indianapolis 317-822-5070

Classic Cocktails Leave a Lasting Impression

When it comes to the holiday season, everyone loves traditions. What better way to embrace holiday traditions than by serving some classic cocktails? Classic drinks, like martinis, daiquiris, and Old-Fashioned’s, are always a hit, as they are very universal. You can customize these basic cocktails in an endless array of flavors and themes, all of which will certainly leave a lasting impression on your friends and family. By knowing these basic cocktails, you can use your own personal tastes and creativity to build upon them and make them your own!

🍸 Martini

When it comes to constructing a great martini, all you need to do is know the basic recipe. From there, you can customize a martini into anything you want, from dirty martinis made with olive juice and lemon drop martinis that offer a citrus splash, to expresso martinis that give a good pick-me-up, and much more.

Recipe for Basic Martini:

2 Ounces Vodka or Gin
1.5 Ounces Dry Vermouth
2 Dashes Orange Bitters (optional)

Add all ingredients into a shaker. Add ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into martini glass. Serve with a lemon peel or olive. You also have the option of stirring your martini, rather than giving it a good shake. But as Bond requests, “Shaken, not stirred.”

🍹 Daiquiri

Daiquiris are fun cocktails because they can be made frozen slushy or as a drink. As a refreshing drink that can be customized in thousands of ways, you can never go wrong serving up a tray of traditional daiquiris. You can also use their recipe as a base for shooters.

Basic Daiquiri Recipe:

2 Ounces White Rum
0.75 Ounces Simple Syrup
0.75 Ounces Lime Juice

Add all ingredients into a shaker and fill with ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds and then strain it into a chilled glass. Garnish your daquiri with a lemon twist. For frozen daquiris, add all ingredients into a blender with ice, and blend until you reach a slushy consistency.

🧉 Old-Fashioned

Old-fashioned cocktails are among the most revered classics, making it an important recipe to add to your bartending acumen. They are great to serve to guests because they appear fancy but in fact quite simple to make. Although bourbon is customary, you can use any base liquor.

Recipe for a Basic Old-Fashioned:

2 Ounces Bourbon (or any liquor)
1 Sugar Cube (or 1 tsp. maple syrup)
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
1 Dash Water

Place a sugar cube inside your glass and saturate it with bitters. Then add a dash of water. Muddle the sugar cube until it is fully dissolved. Now fill the glass with ice and add the bourbon. Finish by garnishing it with an orange slice and a cocktail cherry on a toothpick.

Where to Get Classic Cocktails in Indianapolis This Holiday

English Ivy’s is open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from 11AM to 12 PM this year! Call 317-822-5070 to ask about our dinner and drink holiday specials we are offering this season. We offer a seasonal-inspired, multi-cuisine menu that is locally-sourced and curated by our chef. From classics like wings and burgers, to specialty entrees like prime rib and baked scallops, and everything in between, you will find exactly what your taste buds crave this holiday on our exclusive holiday menus. With neighborhood prices and the nicest service around, you will enjoy every minute you spend at our Downtown Indianapolis bar and restaurant!

317-822-5070