Amazing Whiskey & Tequila Cocktails/Mocktails

Equipment 

Cocktail Shaker 

Used to mix ingredients thoroughly and chill drinks quickly.

Essential for shaken cocktails like Margaritas and Martinis.

Bar Spoon 

Used for stirring cocktails and layering ingredients.

Its long handle allows for smooth stirring without aerating the drink too much.

Jigger 

A measuring tool for accurate pours and balanced cocktails.

Ensures consistency in drink flavor and alcohol content.

Muddler

Used to crush herbs, fruits, or sugar to release flavors.

Essential for cocktails like Mojitos and Old Fashioneds.

Strainer (Hawthorne & Fine Mesh) 

Filters out ice, fruit pulp, and herbs when pouring cocktails.

Hawthorne strainer is great for shaken drinks, while fine mesh catches smaller particles.

Peach Basil Smash

A refreshing whiskey cocktail with juicy peaches and aromatic basil.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon

• 1 ripe peach, sliced

• 4 fresh basil leaves

• ¾ oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and water)

• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice

• Ice

• Club soda (optional)

• Basil leaf & peach slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, muddle peach slices and basil leaves with honey syrup.

2. Add bourbon, lemon juice, and ice. Shake well.

3. Strain into a glass filled with ice.

4. Top with a splash of club soda if desired.

5. Garnish with a basil leaf and peach slice.

Mocktail Version: Peach Basil Cooler

• Replace bourbon with 2 oz peach nectar.

• Add ½ oz apple cider vinegar for complexity.

• Follow the same instructions and top with sparkling water.

Watermelon Mint Old Fashioned

A summer twist on the classic Old Fashioned, featuring fresh watermelon and mint.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz bourbon

• ½ oz watermelon juice (freshly blended & strained)

• ¼ oz simple syrup

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• 2 fresh mint leaves

• Ice

• Watermelon slice & mint sprig for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a glass, muddle mint leaves with simple syrup.

2. Add watermelon juice, bitters, and bourbon. Stir well.

3. Fill the glass with ice and stir again.

4. Garnish with a watermelon slice and mint sprig.

Mocktail Version: Watermelon Mint Refresher

• Replace bourbon with 2 oz coconut water or non-alcoholic whiskey alternative.

• Use the same ingredients and serve over ice.

Spicy Mango Margarita 🌶️🥭

A tropical blend of sweet mango, fresh lime, and a spicy kick from jalapeño.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila blanco

• 1 oz fresh lime juice

• 1 oz mango purée (or fresh blended mango)

• ½ oz agave syrup

• 2-3 jalapeño slices

• Tajín for rimming

• Ice

• Mango slice & jalapeño for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim a glass with Tajín and fill with ice.

2. In a shaker, muddle the jalapeño slices with lime juice.

3. Add tequila, mango purée, and agave syrup, then fill with ice.

4. Shake well for 15 seconds and strain into the prepared glass.

5. Garnish with a mango slice and a jalapeño wheel.

Mocktail Version: Spicy Mango Cooler

• Substitute tequila with sparkling water or club soda.

• Follow the same steps, shaking the ingredients except for the sparkling water.

• Strain and top with sparkling water before serving.

Cucumber Coconut Margarita 🥥🥒

A cooling and creamy summer cocktail with fresh cucumber and coconut water.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz tequila blanco

• 1 oz fresh lime juice

• 1 oz coconut water

• ½ oz agave syrup

• 2-3 cucumber slices

• Ice

• Toasted coconut flakes for rim

• Cucumber ribbon & lime wheel for garnish

Instructions:

1. Rim a glass with toasted coconut flakes.

2. In a shaker, muddle cucumber slices with lime juice and agave.

3. Add tequila, coconut water, and ice, then shake well.

4. Strain into the prepared glass over fresh ice.

5. Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and a lime wheel.

Mocktail Version: Coconut Cucumber Cooler

• Substitute tequila with coconut milk or additional coconut water.

• Follow the same steps and serve over ice.