Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@alanbsmith

alanbsmith/Cocktail Starter List.md

Created November 17, 2021 20:38
Show Gist options
  • Star 3 You must be signed in to star a gist
  • Fork 0 You must be signed in to fork a gist
  • Save alanbsmith/c8e7e819cee606aa6cfd37088b8b0559 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Save alanbsmith/c8e7e819cee606aa6cfd37088b8b0559 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Download ZIP
A cocktail starter list and things to have on-hand for making drinks at home
Raw
Cocktail Starter List.md

Cocktail Starter List

Below are lists of simple cocktails to make at home that often share the same ingredients. If you're getting started, this is a great list to get some classic cocktails under your belt and practice your technique.

Great Starter Cocktails

Gin

  • Gin & Tonic - gin / tonic / fresh lime or lemon
  • Gimlet - gin / simple syrup / fresh lime
  • Negroni - gin / Campari / red vermouth
  • Gin Fizz - gin / lemon / simple syrup / egg white / club soda
  • Gin Martini - gin / white vermouth / lemon peel garnish
  • French 75 - gin / lemon juice / simple syrup / Prosecco or champagne / lemon twist garnish

Tequila or Mezcal

  • Margarita - tequila or mezcal / fresh lime juice / agave syrup / salt
  • Paloma - tequila or mezcal / fresh grapefruit juice / agave syrup / fresh lime juice / grapefruit peel garnish
  • Tequila / Mezcal Mule / tequila or mezcal / ginger beer / fresh lime juice / lime / lime wedge garnish

Rye or Bourbon

Some folks don't love the idea of swapping out rye for bourbon in some of these, and I totally get that. For people getting started, I think it's fine though. It's also good to see how the cocktail tastes when you swap the spirit. I think it helps you better understand what each is bringing to the drink.

  • Old Fashioned - rye or bourbon / simple syrup / Angostura bitters / orange peel and/or cherry garnish
  • Manhattan - rye or bourbon / red vermouth / Angostura bitters / orange bitters / Luxardo cherry garnish
  • Boulevardier - bourbon or rye / red vermouth / Campari / orange peel garnish
  • Mint Julep - bourbon / simple syrup / fresh mint / mint sprig garnish
  • Whiskey sour - bourbon or rye / egg white / fresh lemon juice / simple syrup / Angostura bitters garnish
  • Rye & Ginger - rye / ginger ale

Vodka

  • Vodka Tonic - vodka / tonic / lemon or lime
  • Moscow mule - vodka / ginger beer / lime / lime wedge garnish alternatively, vodka / ginger simple syrup / club soda / lime
  • Martini - vodka / white vermouth / olive juice (optionally) / green olive garnish Scotch
  • Blood & Sand - scotch / red vermouth / fresh blood orange juice / orange peel garnish
  • Rob Roy - scotch / red vermouth / Angostura bitters / lemon or orange twist garnish

Aperol

  • Aperol Spritz - Aperol / Prosecco or champagne / soda water / orange slices

Helpful On-Hand Items

Ice

  • You’ll want to have some set aside for mixing / shaking and also a bit for your drink, if you’d like.

Citrus & Fruit

  • Lemons, limes, and oranges
    • If you’re making peels for garnish, you’ll want to make sure you get bright, ripe fruit
  • Cherries
    • Luxardo (my preference) or Maraschino are good
  • Less common, but nice to have:
    • grapefruit
    • blood oranges if they’re in season

Sugar

  • Simple syrup
    • buy some or mix equal parts (by volume) sugar and water and let cool
    • alternatively, sugar cubes — whatever your preference is
  • Grenadine
    • nice to have a Shirley Temple as a zero-proof option
  • Agave

Bitters

  • Angostura bitters
  • Orange bitters
  • Less common, but nice to have
    • Peychaud's bitters

Herbs & Roots (less common, but nice to have)

  • Fresh mint
  • Fresh basil
  • Fresh rosemary
  • Fresh ginger

Egg whites

  • If you want to make any kind of sour cocktail

Tools

  • Mixing glass
    • or a tall, heavy glass works fine
  • Long stirring spoon Cocktail shaker Strainer julep, hawthorn, or wire mesh are all fine Jigger works best to have one with a marked lines for various measurements Peeler any vegetable peeler will work, but it should be pretty sharp

Bubbles

  • Tonic water
    • paying a little more will make a big difference
    • opt for small cans / glasses
  • Club soda
    • less important to pay more (compared to tonic)
    • opt for small cans / glasses
  • Ginger beer
    • paying a little more will make a big difference
    • Fever Tree or Cock N’ Bull are great
    • opt for small cans / glasses
  • Ginger ale
    • Great for zero-proof cocktails and otherwise
  • Prosecco
  • less common, but can be fun to share with friends

Sprits

  • Gin
    • London Dry, Old Tom, or contemporary like Leopold’s are all good for cocktails
    • Navy Strength if you want more bite / have time for a nap after 😅
  • Rye
    • No need to get something super nice for cocktails, but mid-range is good
  • Bourbon
    • No need to get something super nice, for cocktails but mid-range is good
  • Vodka
    • no need to spend a lot, but get something nicer than you’d find at a college party 🙂
  • Tequila
    • keep a decent Joven (silver / clear) around for margs
    • paying a little more will make a big difference
    • Reposado, Añejo, and Extra Añejo are better for sipping neat or over ice like whiskey
    • Joven mezcal - good for cocktails if you love smokiness
  • Scotch
    • No need to get something super nice for cocktails, but mid-range is good
    • I like Monkey Shoulder for mixing
  • Red (sweet) vermouth
    • Dolin, Cocchi, and Lustau are nice
    • it will expire after about a month of opening
  • White (dry) vermouth
    • less common, but nice for martinis
    • it will expire after about a month of opening
  • Campari
    • less common, but really nice to have for a handful of cocktails
  • Aperol
    • Less common, but nice to have, especially if you have Prosecco
Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment