Mastering the classics: how to perfect iconic cocktails at home

Creating the perfect cocktail at home is so much more than just mixing some ingredients together - it's a form of art. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply looking to elevate your home bartender experience, mastering classic cocktails is a must. 

These timeless drinks are some of the most popular in the world - and once you've learned the basics, you can start experimenting with your own original twists. Today we’ll guide you through how to perfect three iconic cocktails: the Martini, the Old Fashioned, and the Margarita. Orders up! 

The Martini

The Martini is the ultimate symbol of sophistication, known for its simplicity and elegance (and for being the drink of choice for Mr Bond). Balance is the key to making the perfect martini at home - make sure to choose quality ingredients and then fine-tune the gin to vermouth ratio to suit your taste. 

Ingredients:

• 60ml (2 oz) premium gin

• 15ml (0.5 oz) dry vermouth

• Ice

• Lemon twist or olives for garnish

Method:

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.

2. Add the gin and dry vermouth.

3. Stir gently for 30 seconds 

4. Strain into a chilled Martini glass.

5. Garnish with a lemon twist or a couple of olives, depending on your preference.

Top tip: For a drier Martini, reduce the vermouth; for a wetter version, increase it. A splash of olive brine can also transform this cocktail into a "Dirty Martini."

The Old Fashioned

One of the world’s most popular cocktails, the Old Fashioned, dates back to the early 1800s back when cocktails were typically simple mixes of spirit, sugar, water, and bitters. In the late 19th century, with the rise of more complex and innovative cocktails, people began asking for a return to the original, simpler style, ordering their drink "the old-fashioned way." Hence, the name "Old Fashioned" stuck.

Ingredients:

• 60ml (2 oz) bourbon or rye whisky

• 1 sugar cube (or 1 tsp sugar syrup)

• 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters

• 1 splash of water 

• Orange twist 

• Ice

Method:

1. Place the sugar cube in an old fashioned glass and saturate it with the bitters.

2. Add the water, and stir until the sugar is nearly dissolved.

3. Add the ice and pour in the whisky.

4. Stir gently until well-chilled.

5. Express the oil of an orange twist over the glass, then drop into the glass to garnish (and a maraschino cherry, if desired).

Top tip: For a modern twist, you can experiment with different spirits and bitters, or infuse your whisky with spices.

The Margarita

Originating from Mexico in the 1930s, the Margarita is one of the world’s most beloved cocktails, known for its exemplary balance of sweet, sour, and salty. A refreshing and versatile cocktail, the Margarita brings together the sharpness of lime with the smooth warmth of tequila. 

Ingredients:

• 50ml (1.7 oz) premium blanco tequila

• 25ml (0.85 oz) Cointreau or triple sec

• 20ml (0.6 oz) freshly squeezed lime juice

• Salt for the rim

• Lime wedge for garnish

• Ice

Method:

1. Rub a lime wedge around the rim of your chilled martini glass and dip it in salt to create a salted rim.

2. Fill a shaker with ice and add the tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice.

3. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.

4. Strain into the salt-rimmed glass.

5. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Tip: For a more authentic, Mexican-style Margarita, swap in agave syrup instead of Cointreau. You can also serve over ice or blend with ice to make a frozen margarita. 

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