A first date can be a nerve-wracking experience, but a great way to break the ice and impress your date is by making delicious and visually-appealing cocktails. Whether you’re a seasoned bartender or just starting to explore the world of mixology, having a few classic cocktails in your back pocket can help make the evening more relaxed and enjoyable!
Let’s take a look at some of the perfect cocktails for a first date at home, including recipes and instructions on how to make them.
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Old-Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that is perfect for a first date. It’s simple to make, yet sophisticated and flavorful. To make an Old Fashioned, you’ll need a mixing glass, jigger, julep strainer, bar spoon, and a coupe glass or rocks glass.
Ingredients
- 2 oz of Bourbon or Rye Whiskey
- 1 tsp of Sugar
- 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
- 1 Orange Peel
- 1 Cherry
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, combine sugar and bitters.
- Muddle the sugar and bitters to dissolve the sugar.
- Add the whiskey and ice to the shaker.
- Stir the mixture with a bar spoon until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into an Old-Fashioned glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with an orange peel and a cherry.
The Old-Fashioned is a timeless classic that is sure to impress your date. The combination of whiskey, sugar, and bitters creates a unique and complex flavor that is perfect for sipping on a cozy night in. The orange peel and cherry garnish add a touch of elegance to the drink and make it look oh-so-lovely.
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Margarita
The Margarita is sweet, tangy, and refreshing, making it a great choice for a warm summer evening. To make a Margarita, you’ll need the following cocktail-making tools: cocktail shaker, jigger, Hawthorne strainer, and serving glass.
Ingredients
- 2 oz of Tequila
- 3/4 oz of Lime Juice
- 1/2 oz of Cointreau or other Triple Sec
- Salt (optional, for garnish)
- Lime Wheel (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Rim the glass with salt, if desired.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau/Triple sec.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a Margarita glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lime wheel, if desired.
The combination of tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau creates a balance of sweet and sour flavors that is both refreshing and delicious. The salt rim adds a nice touch of brightness to the drink and gives it a unique, complex flavor when combined with the tequila.
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Aperol Spritz
The Aperol Spritz is a classic Italian cocktail that’s light, refreshing, and easy to make– the perfect choice for a casual evening in. To make an Aperol Spritz, you’ll need these bar tools: wine glass, jigger, and a bar spoon.
Ingredients
- 3 oz of Prosecco
- 2 oz of Aperol
- 1 oz of Soda Water
- Orange Slice (optional)
Instructions
- In a wine glass, add Aperol and Prosecco.
- Top off the drink with soda water.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon.
- Garnish with an orange slice, if desired.
Aperol Spritz is a suitable cocktail for a relaxed first date due to its simple preparation, light and invigorating taste. The orange slice garnish enhances the drink’s freshness and adds a fresh, bright flavor.
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Whiskey Sour
Whiskey Sour is a simple cocktail to make, yet it is still very sophisticated and flavorful. To make a Whiskey Sour, you’ll need a cocktail shaker, jigger, Hawthorne and fine strainers, and a glass.
Ingredients
- 2 oz of Bourbon or Rye whiskey
- 3/4 oz of Lemon Juice
- 1/2 oz of Simple Syrup
- 1 Cherry (optional)
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously.
- Strain the mixture into a glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a cherry, if desired.
This is the perfect choice for a special occasion or romantic night in. It’s smooth, refreshing taste provides the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness with just a hint of smokiness from the whiskey. The addition of the cherry garnish adds an extra layer of complexity and sophistication to this classic drink.
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Martini
This sophisticated classic is the perfect drink for a special occasion. The combination of gin and vermouth creates the perfect balance between sweet and dry, while the addition of an olive provides a salty, savory twist to this iconic cocktail.
To make a classic Martini, you will need a mixing glass, bar spoon, cocktail jigger, julep strainer, and glass.
Ingredients
- 2.5 oz Gin or Vodka
- 0.5 oz Dry Vermouth
- Ice
- Olive or Lemon Twist for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Fill a mixing glass or shaker with ice.
- Add the gin or vodka and dry vermouth.
- Stir (or shake) the mixture until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled Martini glass.
- Garnish with an olive or lemon twist, if desired.
- Enjoy and make sure to drink responsibly.
Martini’s are a timeless classic and making one is surprisingly easy. Enjoy it at your next special occasion to show your date (or friends and family) just how fancy you are, like Bond.
Understanding and mastering a few classic cocktails is a great way to impress your date and make the evening more relaxed and enjoyable. The Old-Fashioned, Margarita, Aperol Spritz, Martini, and Whiskey Sour are all perfect cocktails for a first date at home.
These drinks are easy to make with simple ingredients but are all sophisticated and flavorful. With the right bar tools and a little bit of practice, you can make delicious and visually appealing cocktails that will delight your date and leave a lasting impression.
