Ingredients

• Midori Melon Liqueur – A sweet bright green liqueur made using:  
• Vodka – Choose a high quality unflavored vodka. 
• Lemon Juice – Fresh squeezed. 
• Lime Juice – Fresh squeezed. 
• Club Soda – Or soda water to top. You may also use a lemon-lime soda like Sprite. 
• Lemon Wheel – As garnish.

The best cocktail glass for a Midori Sour is a Collins glass or an old fashioned glass.

What is Midori?

Midori is a Japanese melon flavored liqueur made from Japanese muskmelons and yubari fruit. These are infused in neutral grain spirits. After that, they are blended with brandy and sugar and the addition of green food coloring to make Midori.

Midori tastes like a sweet, melon flavored liqueur. It was first launched in 1978 by Suntory, who is well known for Japanese whiskeys and beer.

The Midori Sour was created soon after the launch of Midori and was very popular all through the 1980s and 1990s.

How to Make

In a cocktail shaker with ice, add Midori, vodka, lemon juice and lime juice. 

Shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain and pour into a glass with fresh ice. 

Top it off with a splash of club soda or lemon-lime soda.

Garnish with a slice of lemon.

Tips for Making

• Variations – Japanese Slipper: If you swap the vodka for triple sec you will make a Japanese Slipper cocktail. Other popular variations are the Amaretto Sour and Whiskey Sour.
• Garnish Ideas – Add a maraschino cherry, fresh citrus like limes or a candy cane for the holidays.
• Stir – If you don’t have a shaker, you can also mix this cocktail with a quick stir. Wait to add the soda until after you’ve stirred. 
• Substitutions – If you don’t have vodka, you can also use white rum or the spirit of your choice in its place.
• Egg Whites – You can add an egg white to the cocktail shaker to create a frothy version of this drink. Some recipes include the egg white, but it’s up to you what you prefer.

More Recipe to Try

• More Cocktails – Pisco Sour, Jolly Rancher Shot.
• Appetizer Ideas – Caprese Skewers, Stuffed Mushrooms.
• Dessert Ideas – Peanut Butter Balls, Apple Pie Filling.
• New Recipes – Birria Pizza, Pesto Pasta, Crab Cakes.

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Midori Sour

Learn to make a Midori Sour using Midori, vodka, lime juice, lemon juice and club soda. Fresh, delicious and bright green! 

Course cocktail

Cuisine American, Japanese

Keyword Midori Sour, Midori Sour Cocktail

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cocktail

Calories 148kcal

Author Elsie Larson

Equipment

• 1 cocktail shaker
• 1 cocktail glass

Ingredients

• 1 ounce Midori
• 1 ounce vodka
• ½ ounce lemon juice
• ½ ounce lime juice
• 1 splash club soda to top

Instructions

• In a cocktail shaker with ice, add Midori, vodka, lemon juice and lime juice. 
• Shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain and pour into a glass with fresh ice. 
• Top it off with a splash of club soda or lemon-lime soda.
• Garnish with a slice of lemon.

Notes

• Variations – Japanese Slipper: If you swap the vodka for triple sec, you will make a Japanese Slipper cocktail. Other popular variations are the Amaretto Sour and Whiskey Sour.
• Garnish Ideas – Add a maraschino cherry, fresh citrus like limes or a candy cane for the holidays.
• Stir – If you don’t have a shaker, you can also mix this cocktail with a quick stir. Wait to add the soda until after you’ve stirred. 
• Substitutions – If you don’t have vodka, you can also use white rum or the spirit of your choice in its place.
• Egg Whites – You can add an egg white to the cocktail shaker to create a frothy version of this drink. Some recipes include the egg white, but it’s up to you what you prefer.

Nutrition

Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.04g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.02mg

More coffee cocktails: Espresso Martini, Irish Coffee, Cinnamon Girl Cocktail, Coffee Martini, Mind Eraser, Bushwacker, Alabama Slammer.

Ingredients in a Colorado Bulldog Cocktail

• Vodka – Choose a quality unflavored vodka.
• Coffee Liqueur – I used Kahlúa.
• Cola – A splash of Coca-Cola makes this drink truly special. You can also use Pepsi.
• Heavy Cream – You’ll only need a splash.
• Maraschino Cherry – To garnish.

The best glassware choice for a Colorado Bulldog is a double old fashioned glass.

How to make a Colorado Bulldog

You won’t need a cocktail shaker for this recipe, you can mix it straight in the glass!

In a double old-fashioned glass filled with ice, pour vodka and coffee liqueur. Next, add a splash of Coke to top it, leaving just a little room at the top for cream.

Last, add a splash of cream. This drink will eventually mix into a light latte colored brown, but I like to serve it with the cream floating at the top. Garnish with a cherry!

Tips & Tricks for Making

• Many recipes call for adding the cola last, but I find it to be a more beautiful presentation to add to cream last (just as you would on a White Russian).
• If you want to add a flavorful twist, you can swap the vodka for cherry flavored vodka or vanilla vodka.
• If you want to make this recipe into a dessert, swap out the heavy cream for a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Kind of similar to an Affogato. It’s a sweet cocktail that reminds me of a root beer float.
• If you swap the vodka for tequila, you’ll have a Colorado Mother cocktail.

More recipes to pair with a Colorado Bulldog

• Appetizers – 30+ Finger Foods for Parties
• Meal Ideas – 60+ Easy Dinner Ideas
• More Cocktails – 50+ Cocktails to Make at Home

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Colorado Bulldog (SUMMER)

Learn to make a Colorado Bulldog cocktail at home.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword Colorado Bulldog, Colorado Bulldog Cocktail, Colorado Bulldog Drink

Prep Time 3 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cocktail

Calories 184kcal

Author Elsie Larson

Equipment

• 1 rocks glass

Ingredients

• 1 ounce vodka
• 1 ounce coffee liqueur
• ½ ounce heavy cream
• 2 ounces cola

Instructions

• In a double old-fashioned glass filled with ice, pour vodka and coffee liqueur.
• Next, add a splash of Coke to top it, leaving just a little room at the top for cream.
• Last, add a splash of cream. This drink will eventually mix into a light latte colored brown, but I like to serve it with the cream floating at the top. Garnish with a cherry!

Notes

• Many recipes call for adding the cola last, but I find it to be a more beautiful presentation to add to cream last (just as you would on a White Russian).
• If you want to add a flavorful twist, you can swap the vodka for cherry flavored vodka or vanilla vodka.
• If you want to make this recipe into a dessert, swap out the heavy cream for a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Kind of similar to an Affogato. It’s a sweet cocktail that reminds me of a root beer float.
• If you swap the vodka for tequila, you’ll have a Colorado Mother cocktail.

Nutrition

Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 18g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.1mg

More Fall Shot Recipes: Cinnamon Toast Crunch Shot, Chocolate Cake Shot, Oatmeal Cookie Shot, Appletini.

Ingredients in an Apple Pie Shot

• Apple Cider – Fresh or bottled are both great for this recipe. You may also use apple juice mixed with some pumpkin pie spice if you don’t have apple cider on hand.
• Vanilla Vodka – Adds a bit of vanilla flavor to our shot.
• Cinnamon Whiskey – Such as Fireball whiskey gives a nice cinnamon flavor.
• Whipped Cream – An optional garnish.
• Cinnamon Stick – Another optional (and very cute!) garnish idea.

Bar Tools Needed

You will need a cocktail shaker and a shot glass for this recipe. I actually used brandy/whiskey glasses, which are larger than an average shot glass. They work well for a dessert shot like this with whipped cream and garnish.

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine the apple cider, vanilla vodka and cinnamon whiskey. Shake for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.

Strain and pour into a shot glass.

Garnish with whipped cream. Optionally, add a stick of cinnamon and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or pumpkin spice if you like.

Tips for Making

• When to Serve – This is a great shot idea for a fall party such as a bonfire or a dinner party. This is also a great recipe to serve at Thanksgiving and holiday parties. It’s festive and cozy.
• Mason Jar – If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can use a mason jar.
• Hot Apple Pie Shots – You can heat these shots and serve them warm (I would use an espresso mug instead of a shot glass to serve). You only need a little heat—do not bring it to a full boil.
• Apple Pie Cocktail – To turn this shot into an apple pie drink, simply double the recipe and serve it in a mug (warm) or a cocktail glass (chilled). I love it as a shot, but it makes a great larger cocktail as well.
• Garnish Ideas – Use an apple slice, a sprinkle of cinnamon or other warm spices like a star anise as your garnish.

More Autumn Recipes

• Autumn Meal Ideas – Turkey Chili, Best Stuffing Recipe, Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Autumn Cocktails – Old Fashioned Cocktail, Hot Toddy, Brandy Alexander
• Pumpkin Recipes – Pumpkin Muffins, Pumpkin Cake, Pumpkin Butter
• Apple Recipes – Caramel Apples, Apple Dumplings, Apple Pie Bars
• Kids Recipes for Autumn – Harry Potter Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice

More Recipes to Try

• 60+ Easy Dinner Ideas
• 100+ Comfort Food Recipes
• 50+ Party Shot Recipes

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Apple Pie Shot

Learn to make an Apple Pie Shot using apple cider, vanilla vodka, cinnamon whiskey and whipped cream. Tastes like a slice of apple pie! 

Course cocktail

Cuisine American

Keyword Apple Pie Shot

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 shot

Calories 94kcal

Author Elsie Larson

Equipment

• 1 cocktail shaker
• 1 shot glass or brandy glass

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Apple Cider
• ½ ounce vanilla vodka
• ½ ounce cinnamon whiskey
• whipped cream to garnish

Instructions

• In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine the apple cider, vanilla vodka and cinnamon whiskey. Shake for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.
• Strain and pour into a shot glass.
• Garnish with whipped cream. Optionally, add a stick of cinnamon and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or pumpkin spice if you like.

Notes

• When to Serve – This is a great shot idea for a fall party such as a bonfire or a dinner party. This is also a great recipe to serve at Thanksgiving and holiday parties. It’s festive and cozy.
• Mason Jar – If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, you can use a mason jar.
• Hot Apple Pie Shots – You can heat these shots and serve them warm (I would use an espresso mug instead of a shot glass to serve). You only need a little heat—do not bring it to a full boil.
• Apple Pie Cocktail – To turn this shot into an apple pie drink, simply double the recipe and serve it in a mug (warm) or a cocktail glass (chilled). I love it as a shot, but it makes a great larger cocktail as well.
• Garnish Ideas – Use an apple slice, a sprinkle of cinnamon or other warm spices like a star anise as your garnish.

Nutrition

Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 58mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg

More shot recipes: Green Tea Shot, Lemon Drop Shot, Chocolate Cake Shot, White Tea Shot, Mexican Candy Shot, Scooby Snack Shot, Jolly Rancher Shot.

Ingredients in a Washington Apple Shot

• Canadian Whiskey – I used Crown Royal.
• Sour Apple Schnapps – (Also called sour apple pucker or sour apple liqueur) gives your drink a lot of apple flavor.
• Cranberry Juice – Makes the drink red. Chilled juice is best.
• Club Soda – Just a splash at the end for a bit of sparkle.

I used my favorite decorative shot glasses to serve this drink.

Directions

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine the Canadian whiskey, apple schnapps and cranberry juice.

Shake for 10-15 seconds.

Pour into a shot glass and top with a splash of club soda. Cheers!

How to make a Washington Apple Cocktail

To turn this shot recipe into a sippable cocktail, simply double the recipe and serve it into a martini glass instead of a shot glass. This recipe is so tasty—I think it’s great as a full-sized cocktail.

Tips for Making

• A chilled shot glass makes any shot more magical, as does a sugared rim.
• If you don’t have Canadian whisky on hand, you can substitute for a different type of whiskey.
• If you don’t enjoy the sour aspect of sour apple schnapps, you can replace it with a sweeter apple liqueur or apple flavored brandy.
• I like the tartness and color the cranberry juice adds, but if you use apple juice instead you can create a green apple shot.
• Garnish with an apple slice if you like.

History of a Washington Apple Shot

Washington state is home to some of the most beautiful apple orchards in the U.S. In the late 1980s, a bug destroyed most of Washington state’s apple orchards. A man named Christof Guycoogan had the idea to distill the ruined apples into an apple liqueur. He mixed the resulting liqueur with his favorite drink, Canadian whiskey and cranberry juice, and the Washington Apple Cocktail (and shot) were born!

More Apple Recipes to Try

• Candy Apples
• Caramel Apples
• Apple Tart
• Apple Cobbler
• Appletini

If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a 5 star review. Don’t forget to use our printable recipe card.

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Washington Apple Shot

Learn to make a Washington Apple Shot at home.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword Washington Apple Shot

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 shot

Calories 141kcal

Author Elsie Larson

Equipment

• 1 cocktail shaker
• 1 shot glass

Ingredients

• ¾ ounce Canadian whiskey
• ¾ ounce Sour Apple Schnapps
• ¾ ounce Cranberry Juice
• 1 splash Club Soda

Instructions

• In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine the Canadian whiskey, apple schnapps and cranberry juice.
• Shake for 10-15 seconds.
• Pour into a shot glass and top with a splash of club soda. Cheers!

Notes

• If you don’t have Canadian whiskey on hand, you can substitute for another whiskey.
• If you don’t enjoy the sour aspect of sour apple schnapps, you can replace it with a sweeter apple liqueur or apple flavored brandy.
• I like the tartness and color the cranberry juice adds, but if you use apple juice instead you can create a green apple shot.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 0.02g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg

In this blog post I will teach you the traditional recipe as well as a few time saving tricks and tips to make the perfect Old Fashioned at home.

Related recipes: Old Fashioned Mix, Simple Syrup Recipe, Manhattan Cocktail, Sidecar Cocktail, Hot Toddy, Rusty Nail, Boulevardier, Sazerac.

Old Fashioned Ingredients

• Bourbon Choose a high quality bourbon or rye whiskey (something you would sip!).
• Angostura Bitters A classic cocktail bitter (find them on Amazon).
• Sugar You will need granulated sugar to make the classic recipe. You can also save a bit of time by using simple syrup in place of sugar and water if you choose.
• Water You will need a splash of water.
• Orange Twist Garnish
• Cherries Although not a part of the traditional recipe, many people prefer two cherries with their Old Fashioned cocktail. This is optional.

History of an Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned cocktail is one of the first officially recorded cocktails with more 200 years of history and counting. It was invented before bartenders began to add fancy embellishments to their cocktails and got its name from those who preferred to keep their cocktail simple and, well, old fashioned.

A classic never goes out of style and more recently new generations of wannabes (like me!) have learned about this cocktail from television shows like Mad Men ensuring its legacy will live on.

How to mix an Old Fashioned

Begin by pouring your sugar into a cocktail mixing glass. Add three dashes of bitters directly to the sugar. Add your water. Mix by hand with a spoon until the sugar has dissolved.

Add some ice to the mixing glass and pour your bourbon onto the ice. Continue stirring until the drink is well mixed and chilled.

Strain into a rocks glass over an oversized ice cube.

Express the oil of an orange peel over the top of the glass. You do this by squeezing and folding the skin of an orange peel- you will smell a strong citrus scent as the oils release. Then garnish your drink with the orange peel.

Best Bourbon for an Old Fashioned

This drink is very spirit forward, so the quality of bourbon you choose will make a big impact on the flavor of your drink. You can spend hours reading opinions on the best bourbon for an Old Fashioned. As a general rule, you should make your Old Fashioned cocktail with a whiskey you would enjoy sipping straight.

I love to collect local bourbons and whiskeys in every variety. You can really have fun creating your own collection. That said, for the purposes of this blog post, I am focusing on brands that are easily available.

Maker’s Mark I chose this because it’s high quality and it’s available at almost every store that sells liquor. The tasting notes are slightly sweet- perfect for this recipe.

Four Roses Single Barrel Another popular option that is easy to find in stores. This is a high proof option with a smooth flavor.

Old Granddad Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Old Grandad is distilled with a high percentage of rye. It’s flavor is slightly spicy with notes of cinnamon and cloves.

Bulleit Bourbon Again I chose this brand because it’s broadly available. The flavor notes are slightly fruity and light.

George Dickle Rye Whiskey I wanted to include a rye whiskey since a Rye Old Fashioned is one of the most popular variations.

Time Saving Tips

The Old Fashioned has a lot of steps for such a simple drink. I recommend learning to make the classic recipe because it’s fun to know how to do things properly and also because it’s a good baseline for making future tweaks. That said, there are lot of ways to speed up the process.

• The quickest possible way to make a great tasting Old Fashioned at home is to make our Old Fashioned Mix recipe. Once you have made this mix you can create cocktails with zero prep anytime you want.
• You can save a bit of time by using Simple Syrup instead of sugar and water from the original recipe. This is easier to mix. I also recommend this if you want a sweeter cocktail like many restaurants serve. Simple syrup is the easiest way to add a little more sweetness to your drink.
• If you are preparing for a dinner party you can batch the entire drink ahead of time and simply pour them into glasses with oversized ice cubes when it’s time to serve. I recommend that if serving a group since the original recipe is a bit more time consuming.

Variations of the Old Fashioned Cocktail

There are many delicious spins on the classic old Fashioned. Here are a few popular variations and what makes the recipes different- often just swapping one ingredient.

• Rye Old Fashioned Use Rye for a slightly less sweet
• Brandy Old Fashioned (also called Wisconsin Old Fashioned) This recipe calls for Brandy instead of Bourbon and also is topped with lemon-lime soda, so it is a much sweeter drink than the classic.
• Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned If you use our Pumpkin Spice Syrup instead of simple syrup, you can make this festive variation.
• Irish Old Fashioned Use Jameson Irish Whiskey in place of bourbon
• Peanut Butter Old Fashioned Use Screwball peanut butter whiskey in place of bourbon for this fun variation.

Should I put cherries in my Old Fashioned?

The classic recipe does not contain cherries, but as someone who has ordered this drink at dozens of restaurants I would say it is served with cherries at least 75% of the time. Bottom line- if it’s good enough for Don Draper, it’s good enough for me.

Personally I love the cherries and welcome them in my drink! If you want to add two cherries to your drink we suggest Luxardo Maraschino Cherries. These dark candied cherries are rich and decadent. Once you open the jar, but sure to store them in your fridge and you can use them in many classic cocktail recipes like the Manhattan.

More Classic Cocktail Recipes:

• Gimlet Cocktail Recipe
• Vodka Martini Recipe
• Mint Mojito Recipe
• Cosmopolitan Recipe
• Blue Hawaiian Recipe
• Classic Hot Toddy

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Old Fashioned Cocktail

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword old fashioned, old fashioned cocktail, old fashioned recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 person

Calories 161kcal

Author Elsie Larson

Ingredients

• 1 tsp sugar or sugar cube
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 tsp water
• 2 ounces bourbon
• 1 orange twist garnish

Instructions

• Begin by pouring your sugar into a cocktail mixing glass. Add three dashes of bitters directly to the sugar. Add your water. Mix by hand with a spoon until the sugar has dissolved.
• Add some ice to the mixing glass and pour your bourbon onto the ice. Continue stirring until the drink is well mixed and chilled.
• Strain into a rocks glass over an oversized ice cube.
• Express the oil of an orange peel over the top of the glass. You do this by squeezing and folding the skin of an orange peel- you will smell a strong citrus scent as the oils release. Then garnish your drink with the orange peel.

Notes

• The quickest possible way to make a great tasting Old Fashioned at home is to make our Old Fashioned Mix recipe. Once you have made this mix you can create cocktails with zero prep anytime you want.
• You can save a bit of time by using Simple Syrup instead of sugar and water from the original recipe. I also recommend this if you want a sweeter cocktail like many restaurants serve. Simple Syrup is the easiest way to add a little more sweetness to your drink if you want that.
• If you are preparing for a dinner party you can batch the entire drink ahead of time and simply pour them into glasses with oversized ice cubes when it’s time to serve. I recommend that if serving a group since the original recipe is a bit more time consuming.

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 4g | Calcium: 0.2mg | Iron: 0.02mg

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Sometimes an espresso martini is called a vodka espresso. This easy cocktail is made of only four ingredients, so you want them to be high quality as the flavor of each will really show through. As such, I will also share my favorite at home espresso makers so you can be sure your espresso is fresh and delicious.

Related: White Russian, Dry Martini, Cosmo Recipe, Lychee Martini, Manhattan, Irish Coffee, 30+ Easy Martini Recipes, Vesper Martini, French Martini, Mind Eraser.

Before making your espresso martini, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. First, you will want to use espresso instead of brewing coffee or using instant coffee. It’s important for the flavor profile.

Next, it’s important to let the espresso chill before adding it to the ice and alcohol so that it does not melt the ice.

The foam is an important part of this cocktail, both for flavor and presentation. It’s kind of like when you order a latte. No foam = no good! The foam comes from shaking in a cocktail shaker for 10-15 seconds.

Espresso Martini Ingredients

• Espresso – 1 shot (about 1.5 ounces) espresso
• Vodka – 2 ounces vodka
• Kahlúa – 1/2 ounce coffee liqueur
• Simple Syrup – 1/2 ounce simple syrup (this is optional but I recommend it)
• Coffee Beans – For garnish

This will make one drink. You can easily make two servings in the same shaker by doubling the ingredients. The best cocktail glass to serve an Espresso Martini in is a martini glass or a coupe glass. You will also need a cocktail shaker to make this recipe. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, a jar can be used.

How to make an Espresso Martini

1. Make your espresso and allow to cool (otherwise, it will melt your ice). If you’re in a hurry, you can put it in the refrigerator.
2. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in the espresso, vodka, Kahlua and simple syrup (optional).
3. Shake until chilled. This will also create the froth for foam.
4. Strain and pour into a chilled glass.
5. Garnish with a few coffee beans. 

Bonus points if you chill your martini glasses in the freezer ahead of time.

Tips for Making

• Substitutions – If you don’t have a way to make fresh espresso cold brew concentrate is the best substitution. 
• Variations – You may swap unflavored vodka for vanilla vodka, or a seasonal flavor such as caramel, pecan, pumpkin or peppermint. While some would consider this sacrilegious, I would point out that the Espresso Martini isn’t technically a true martini and so if you enjoy seasonal coffee drinks, why not?
• Sweetness – The simple syrup (sugar syrup) is technically optional, but I find it essential to creating balance between strong and bitter flavors.
• Garnish Ideas – In addition to coffee beans, many bartenders like to dust the top of the martini foam with espresso powder. If you’ve used flavored vodka you may want to garnish with a nod to the flavor. Like adding a mini candy cane if you used peppermint vodka. Garnishes should be fun and extra!

History

The Espresso Martini was created in 1983 by bartender Dick Bradsell at Fred’s Club, a bar in London. It continued to gain popularity throughout 1980s and more recently had a second resurgence. The famous tale says that Bradsell was asked by a famous model of the era to make a cocktail that would “wake me up and fuck me up.” And so the Espresso Martini was born. Bradsell is also famous for creating the Bramble cocktail.

Home Espresso Makers

We’ve tried many espresso makers over the years, and here are our favorites at different price points and skill levels:

• Cafe Automatic Espresso Machine – My current machine. It uses any whole beans, so if you use high quality beans you’ll get high quality espresso. It makes espresso shots automatically (no barista skills required) and includes a milk frothing wand to heat and froth milk. We’ve used this machine almost every day since we got it 3 years ago and we love it! It comes in three colors.
• Breville Barista Touch – We bought this for a good friend as a wedding gift once and they said they love it. It’s a higher end machine that you will need some barista skills to operate, but it’s an excellent home espresso maker.
• Nespresso Vertuo – For those who want an espresso maker that uses pods, this is my favorite. Depending what pod you use, it can make espresso or coffee.
• MiniPresso – This machine will make you a single shot of espresso by adding boiling water into one end, your grinds into the other, and then you pump a button that pops out.
• French Press – It’s also possible to make espresso in your French press.

Not only is this espresso martini delicious, but it can be a great conversation starter. I know I’m a little bit more talkative when I have a little jolt of caffeine in my system. Lol.

More Espresso Recipes

• Espresso Cookies
• Iced Mocha
• Homemade Frappuccino
• How to make an Affogato
• Our Best Coffee & Espresso Recipes

Other Martinis To Try:

• Easy Chocolate Martini
• Spiced Pumpkin Pie Martini
• Lemon Drop Martini
• Key Lime Martini
• Classic Gin Gimlet

Now you know how to make a classic espresso martini—perfect for coffee lovers! Cheers!

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Espresso Martini

Create this iconic espresso martini with just three ingredients: vodka, espresso and Kahlúa with the optional ingredient of simple syrup. Prep time is only five minutes!

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword Espresso Martini

Prep Time 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cocktail

Calories 220kcal

Author Emma Chapman

Equipment

• 1 espresso machine optional, but recommended
• 1 martini glass

Ingredients

• 1 shot espresso about 1 ½ ounces each
• 2 ounces vodka
• ½ ounce Kahlua
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• 3 coffee beans for garnish

Instructions

• Make your espresso and allow it to chill.
• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and pour in the espresso, vodka, Kahlua and simple syrup.
• Shake until chilled.
• Strain and pour into a chilled glasses.
• Garnish with a few coffee beans and serve. 

Notes

 

• • Substitutions – If you don’t have a way to make fresh espresso cold brew, concentrate is an acceptable substitution. 

• • Variations – You may swap unflavored vodka for vanilla vodka, or a seasonal flavor such as carmel, pecan pie or pumpkin. While some would consider this sacrilegious, we would point out that the Espresso Martini isn’t technically a true martini and so if you enjoy seasonal coffee drinks, why not give it a go? 

• • Sweetness – The simple syrup (sugar syrup) is technically optional, but we find it essential to creating balance.

• • Garnish Ideas – In addition to coffee or espresso beans, many bartenders like to dust the top of the martini foam with espresso powder.
  • Chilled Glass – To chill your glasses, simply place them in the freezer a few minutes (5-6) before you need them.

Nutrition

Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 44mg | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg

If you’ve never had an amaretto sour before here’s what you can expect. Amaretto is an Italian liqueur that tastes like toasted almonds with a slight cherry, or stone fruit, undertone. Any cocktail described as a ‘sour’ is typically made of a base spirit, simple (sugar), and citrus. This Amaretto sour recipe is on the sweeter side but still balanced and not overly boozy. It’s bright and refreshing flavor makes it the perfect summer drink, but you can enjoy it year round.

Related: Mojito, Kentucky Mule, Pisco Sour, Whiskey Sour, Gin Fizz

Amaretto Sour Ingredients

• Amaretto liqueur
• Simple syrup
• Lemon juice
• Cherries and orange for garnish

Depending on what you have available in your pantry you can swap the simple syrup and the lemon juice for homemade sour mix.

How to make an Amaretto Sour

To a cocktail shaker add ice and all ingredients. Shake until the outside of the shaker becomes very cold in your hand (10-15 seconds).

Strain into a chilled coup or over ice in a rocks glass.

Garnish with a cherry (or two) and a orange wedge.

Amaretto Sour Variations

This is a super popular drink with all kinds of fun additions/customizations you can make. Here are a few ideas:

• Use a fruit infused syrup like orange simple syrup to enhance the fresh flavor of the drink.
• Add an additional alcohol flavor like bourbon or whiskey.
• Use Sprite or another lemon-lime flavored carbonated drink, or even plain club soda to top off the cocktail and add a little fizz. If using Sprite add it right before serving so that the soda doesn’t go flat.

More Cocktails to Try

• Espresso Martini
• Lemon Drop Martini
• Homemade Margarita Mix
• Classic Gimlet Cocktail
• Best Mint Mojito Recipe

Modern Amaretto Sour – with Egg White

While the original amaretto sour was introduced to the mid 1970s it was updated in 2021 by bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler with the addition of bourbon and egg white to create a more boozy, rich cocktail.

Cocktails made with egg whites typically have a foamy top. It’s a staple of many vintage cocktails. And while it’s never fully safe to consume raw eggs, it has become a staple of many trendy cocktail menus.

Modern Amaretto Sour Ingredients

• Amaretto liqueur
• Bourbon – cast-strength is recommended
• Lemon juice
• Simple syrup
• Egg white

One egg white is roughly one ounce of liquid. You only need half an ounce for one serving so it’s best to make this version two at a time—perfect for a party!

Amaretto Sours; they are fun, they are sweet, they are delicious. Cheers!

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Amaretto Sours – Classic & Modern

how to make an amaretto sour at home

Course Drinks

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword amaretto sour, cocktails

Prep Time 4 minutes minutes

Cook Time 1 minute minute

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 drink

Calories 257kcal

Equipment

• 1 cocktail shaker

Ingredients

• 2 ounces Amaretto liqueur
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 1 ounce lemon juice about half a lemon
• 1-2 cherries and an orange wedge for garnish

Modern Version

• 1 ½ ounces Amaretto liqueur
• 1 ounce bourbon
• 1 ounce lemon juice
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• ½ egg white

Instructions

• To a cocktail shaker add ice and all ingredients except the garnish.
• Shake until the outside of the shaker becomes very cold in your hand.
• Strain into a coup or over ice in a rocks glass.
• Garnish with a cherry (or two) and a orange wedge.

Notes

If you prefer, make your own homemade sour mix and substitute for the lemon juice and simple syrup. 

For the modern version it’s best to dry shake the ingredients (without ice) for 10-15 seconds before adding ice and then shaking in a cocktail shaker until cold. This helps incorporate the egg white better and create that foamy top.

Egg whites are roughly 1 ounce each, so you only need half an egg white to make a single serving of the modern version of Amaretto sour. This makes it a great cocktail to shake up two at a time—great for a party!

Nutrition

Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 64mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

In this blog post, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about simple syrup, from its basic definition to the easy to follow recipe, various flavor variations, and tips for incorporating it into your favorite beverages.

Learning to make your own sugar syrup is probably the easiest recipe ever. You will laugh when you see simple syrup for sale at the store because it’s so easy to make.

I make a batch of simple syrup every few months so I always have it in my fridge. Simple syrup is useful for mixing cocktails, drinks like lemonade, sweetened coffee, and tea drinks. Sometimes it is used in baking recipes but I mostly use it in beverages.

Recipes That Use Simple Syrup: Mojito Recipe, Tom Collins, Gimlet Cocktail, Lemon Drop Martini, Lemonade, and Iced Coffee.

What is Simple Syrup?

Simple syrup is sugar syrup. It’s made with one part water and one part sugar, simmered together until it becomes a clear syrup. Simple syrup is one of the most common ingredients in sweetened beverages. While you could stir granulated white sugar into any drink it may not fully dissolve, especially in cold drinks, leaving a grainy texture to your beverage. Simple syrup has a smooth texture and will disperse in a drink more evenly, rather than setting in the bottom of a glass.

Simple Syrup Ingredients

• Sugar – most often granulated white sugar is used
• Water – clean, filtered water is best

The correct sugar and water ratio is 1:1. This will create the perfect consistency for adding to drinks.

How to Make Simple Syrup

In a small pan, combine one part sugar and one part water. On medium heat, simmer together and stir until sugar is fully dissolved and there are no grains.

Do not boil simple syrup for more than the time it takes to dissolve. It you overcook your syrup it will eventually become caramel.

Let cool and pour into a bottle in the fridge.

How Long Does Simple Syrup Last?

Simple syrup should be kept in a sealed container in the fridge. It will last for a minimum of one month. I often keep mine for a few months before making a new batch.

Tips for Making Simple Syrup

• Collect reusable bottles for your homemade simple syrups. These are the bottles I used in these photos. I also like these bottles.
• If you make multiple flavors of syrup, adding labels is a good idea.
• While granulated white sugar is the classic another fun option is Demerara. It adds a thicker texture for an interesting ‘mouth feel’ to any drink.
• You can infuse many fresh and dried herbs, fruits and flavors into your syrup. Have fun experimenting with different flavors.

Flavor Variations for Simple Syrup

Once you master the basic recipe for simple syrup you can experiment with flavor variations. Try replacing sugar with brown sugar or honey. Try adding herbs or spices as the syrup cooks (you will strain them out once the syrup has cooled).

You can also make syrups using fresh fruits to add flavor and color. The possibilities are endless!

More Homemade Syrup Recipes

• Mint Simple Syrup
• Honey Simple Syrup
• Peppermint Syrup
• Strawberry Syrup
• Cherry Syrup
• Raspberry Syrup
• Pumpkin Spice Syrup
• Salted Caramel Syrup
• Toffee Nut Syrup
• Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
• Gingerbread Syrup
• Homemade Margarita Mix
• Homemade Sour Mix
• Homemade Old Fashioned Mix
• Pina Colada Mix
• Homemade Grenadine

FAQ

Cheers to your newfound mixology skills and the endless possibilities of simple syrup!

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Simple Syrup Recipe

Recipe and tips for making your own simple syrup at home from sugar and water.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword simple syrup

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 16

Calories 48kcal

Author Elsie Larson

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• In a small pan, combine one part sugar and one part water. 
• On medium heat, simmer together and stir until sugar is fully dissolved and there are no grains visible.
• Do not boil simple syrup for more than the time it takes to dissolve. It you overcook your syrup it will eventually become caramel.
• Let cool and pour into a bottle in the fridge.

Notes

• Collect reusable bottles for your homemade simple syrups. These are the bottles I used in these photos. I also like these bottles.
• If you make multiple flavors of syrup, adding labels is a good idea.
• You can infuse many fresh and dried herbs, fruits and flavors into your syrup. Have fun experimenting with different flavors.
• Simple syrup should be kept in a sealed container in the fridge. It will last for a minimum of one month. I often keep mine for a few months before making a new batch.

Nutrition

Calories: 48kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Fat: 0.04g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 0.3mg | Sugar: 12g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.01mg

More shots and cocktails: Gummy Bear Shot, Green Tea Shot, Jello Shots, Blow Job Shot, More Shot Recipes.

Ingredients in peanut butter whiskey shots

• Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey – Or another peanut butter whiskey.
• Chambord Liqueur – Or any raspberry or berry flavored liqueur.

You will also need a cocktail shaker and a shot glass to complete this recipe.

How to Make

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine equal parts Skrewball whiskey and fruit liqueur.

Shake 10-15 seconds until icy cold.

Strain the shot mixture into a shot glass. Enjoy immediately.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Cocktail

This shot makes an excellent cocktail to sip as well. Simply double the recipe and strain it into a cocktail glass rather than a shot glass and enjoy!

Tips for Making

• Choose a grape liqueur for a grape jelly flavor or raspberry to simulate raspberry jam flavor. Strawberry liqueur would be a great choice as well.
• If you want to make a jello shot version, try mixing Skrewball whiskey with grape and strawberry jello.  
• If you need to substitute the screwball peanut butter whiskey, try Frangelico (which is hazelnut liqueur) instead. Some recipes also use Frangelico combined with Irish cream liqueur (such as Bailey’s).

FAQ

More Recipes

• Shot Recipes – Mini Beer Shot, White Tea Shot, Pudding Shots, Chocolate Cake Shot
• Cocktails – Sazerac, Vieux Carré, Salty Dog, Paper Plane, Bee’s Knees
• Non-Alcohol Drinks – Agua Fresca, Butterbeer, Orange Julius
• Recipes – 100+ Comfort Food Recipes

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Shot

Learn to make a Peanut Butter & Jelly shot at home using Skrewball peanut butter whiskey and a fruit liqueur (such as Chambord).

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword pb&j shot, Peanut Butter & Jelly Shot, peanut butter whiskey shot

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Servings 1 shot

Calories 55kcal

Author Elsie Larson

Equipment

• 1 shot glass
• 1 cocktail shaker

Ingredients

• ¾ ounce Skrewball Whiskey
• ¾ Chambord Liqueur

Instructions

• In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine equal parts Skrewball whiskey and fruit liqueur.
• Shake 10-15 seconds until icy cold.
• Strain the shot mixture into a shot glass. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

• Choose a grape liqueur for a grape jelly flavor or raspberry to simulate raspberry jam flavor.
• If you want to make a jello shot version, try mixing Skrewball whiskey with grape jello.  
• If you need to substitute the screwball peanut butter whiskey, try Frangelico (which is hazelnut liqueur) instead. Some recipes also use Frangelico combined with Irish cream liqueur (such as Bailey’s).

Nutrition

Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.3g | Sodium: 0.1mg | Potassium: 0.4mg | Sugar: 0.3g | Calcium: 0.01mg