Classic Cocktails With a Twist

by Laura Goldberg, Posted Sep 30th 2010 1:30PM

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Beer and wine seem to be the staple bar choices at most weddings. However, with a cocktail revolution taking hold across the country, it seems a little inventive mixology might be called for after the walk down the aisle.

Pre-Prohibition cocktails are seeing a resurgence at hot spots from Philadelphia to San Francisco, but Michael McIlroy, head bartender at New York City's illustrious Lower East Side speakeasy Milk & Honey suggests that couples add their own personal spin to the traditional tipples.

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"A cocktail doesn't have to be elaborate in order to be exquisite," says McIlroy. "Spend a night in, where the two of you can pick a few classic recipes and try new ingredients to make them your own," he advises.

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While sharing a few of his favorite recipes, he heartily recommended limiting the drink menu at your wedding reception if you have a large number of attendees. One or two special cocktails should do the trick, giving your guests a taste of the good life -- in a glass.

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Classic Cocktails With a Twist

This creative twist on a Gin Fizz looks like a tall beer, but tastes like a bit of sunshine and frothy heaven.

Summer's Day

2 orange wedges
3/4 oz lemon juice
3/4 oz simple syrup
2 oz gin
1 egg white

Instructions: Muddle orange wedges in shaker. Add everything into shaker, including egg white. Shake and strain into a Fizz glass (with no ice) or a Collins glass (with ice). Top with soda. Serve with a straw (optional). No garnish.

Classic Cocktails With a Twist

McIlroy's original take on the textbook Old Fashioned features an all-American spirit made from apples: Applejack.

American Trilogy*

1 oz rye
1 oz Applejack (preferably bonded, 100 proof)
brown sugar cube
soda water
orange bitters

Instructions: Place sugar cube into base of a whiskey glass. Add 3 dashes of orange bitters and a bar spoon of soda water. Muddle the sugar cube. Add Applejack and rye. Fill with ice and briefly stir. Garnish with an orange twist.

Classic Cocktails With a Twist

Taking the beloved Martini to new citrus heights, McIlroy has created a dreamy cocktail in glorious orange.

Archangel*

cucumber slices
2 1/4 oz gin
3/4 oz Aperol
lemon (for garnish)

Instructions: Lightly muddle cucumbers in the base of a mixing glass. Add gin and Aperol. Stir. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a lemon twist.

Classic Cocktails With a Twist

If you're a fan of both coffee and Egg Nog, this is the drink for you. Dark rum and coffee liquor gorgeously meld with cream, egg yolk and a hint of freshly grated nutmeg.

Café Con Leche Cocktail

1 egg yolk
1 oz dark rum
3/4 oz coffee liqueur
3/4 oz cream
3/4 oz simple syrup
fresh nutmeg

Instructions: Add everything into a shaker, including the egg yolk. Shake and strain into a Sour glass. Garnish with grated nutmeg.

Classic Cocktails With a Twist

The one-time Chicago gangster favorite, the South Side Cocktail, takes gets a freshening edge with the inclusion of cucumber.

East Side Cocktail

fresh mint
cucumber slices
2 oz gin
1 oz lime juice
3/4 oz simple syrup

Instructions: Muddle mint and cucumber in shaker, then shake all ingredients and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a slice of cucumber.

Classic Cocktails With a Twist

McIlroy says that this riff on the Whiskey Sour, is a "great masculine cocktail with a touch of honey to entice the ladies, too."

Gold Rush

2 oz bourbon
3/4 oz lemon juice
3/4 oz honey syrup (three parts honey, one part water)

Instructions: Add everything into a shaker. Shake and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

Classic Cocktails With a Twist

A tart variation of the ever-popular Tom Collins is pretty in pink! The addition of Peychaud's Bitters also lend it a hint of anise-infused complexity.

Grapefruit Collins

1 1/2 oz grapefruit juice
1/2 oz lemon juice
1/2 oz simple syrup
2 oz gin
3 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
orange (for garnish)

Instructions: Add all ingredients into a shaker. Shake and strain into a Collins glass with ice and then top with soda water. Serve with a straw and an orange slice as a garnish.

Classic Cocktails With a Twist

This variation on the Bramble showcases fresh blackberries instead of the standard liquor, cassis. It gives the drink a summery freshness. The recipe also substitutes the traditional gin for a premium white rum.

Rumble

fresh blackberries
2 oz white rum
3/4 oz lemon juice
3/4 oz simple syrup

Instructions: Muddle blackberries in the base of the serving glass, then build gin, lemon and simple syrup over crushed ice. Serve with a blackberry garnish.

Classic Cocktails With a Twist

Tags: cocktail hour, signature drinks, wedding menu