I love going out to restaurants and seeing the creative, gorgeous ways they serve up cocktails. Add a fireplace or patio ambiance, and it makes any Friday night feel like a treat. Want to make your own gatherings feel just as classy? Here are three of my favorite restaurant cocktails that are easy enough to make at your own party! 😊💁
Mini Clothespin Margaritas
As seen at Convivo Restaurant and Bar
YOU’LL NEED:
-
- 3 oz margarita mix (The Trader Joes brand is my favorite — simple, not syrupy and delicious!)
- 3 oz tequila
- Mini clothespins like these
- Limes for decor
- Optional: margarita salt
Tip: Need a big batch of margaritas for a party? Check out this refreshing margarita recipe 🙂
DIRECTIONS:
01. Stir together tequila and margarita mix with ice. You probably noticed, but I like a one-to-one ratio for my margaritas 😉 If you need something a little less intense, you could always start with 4 oz margarita mix and 2 oz tequila.
02. Cut lime(s) in half
03. If you like salt, rub the rim of each glass with the lime and dip into salt.
03. Using a serrated knife, cut thin slices from the lime. The thinner the slice, the easier to clothespin. Also note, the more difficult to slice. 🙄 (Additionally, mandoline slicer may work for this, but I don’t know because I don’t happen to have one!)
04. Clothespin each lime slice to the side of each glass and enjoy your classy marg!
Mojitos with Sugar Cane Swizzle Sticks
As seen at Milk and Honey
YOU’LL NEED:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- Mint leaves
- 1 cup crushed ice
- 1/2 lime
- 2 ounces white rum
- 1 ounce club soda
- Sugar cane sticks like these
Adapted from Jo-Lynne Shane’s recipe.
SIMPLE SYRUP DIRECTIONS:
01. Mix 1/2 cup water with 1/2 cup sugar in a saucepan and heat until boiling. Stir until the sugar dissolves. (It will be about a minute). Then turn off the heat.
02. Steep a handful of mint leaves in the simple syrup concoction. The longer the leaves are steeping, the stronger the mint flavor will be. Jo-Lynne recommends steeping for an hour or so, but I felt like 30 minutes was strong enough for me 🙂
03. Strain out the mint leaves and store in fridge.
Tip: If you want to make a mojito without simple syrup, squeeze the lime into a tall glass and mix with two heaping spoonfuls of sugar. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Then add the rest of the ingredients.
MOJITO DIRECTIONS:
01. In a tall glass, squeeze the lime and mix with 1 oz of the simple syrup.
02. Add 1/4 cup crushed ice. Tearing the mint leaves in half, add to glass. Then gently stir.
03. Add rum, remaining ice and club soda. Stir.
03. Insert sugar cane as a swizzle stick and enjoy!
Strawberry Lavender Cocktail with Candied Lavender
As seen at Granada
YOU’LL NEED:
- 2 oz gin. Re:find gin is my local favorite.
- 4 oz Strawberry lavender soda
- Lavender
- 1 cup sugar
- Optional: dash of Campari
CANDIED LAVENDER DIRECTIONS:
01. Mix 1/2 cup water with 1/2 cup sugar in a saucepan and heat until boiling. Stir until the sugar dissolves (about a minute). Then turn off the heat.
02. Pour the rest of the sugar (1/2 cup) into a dipping bowl.
03. Take each piece of lavender and submerge into the the saucepan. (See below.) Then roll in sugar. You may want to carefully shake off any clumps.
04. Let dry on baking rack or parchment paper.
COCKTAIL DIRECTIONS:
01. Pour gin and soda (and a dash of Campari, if desired) into a cocktail shaker over ice. Stir.
02. Pour into a glass, straining out ice, and garnish with candied lavender!
This cocktail is simple, but ended up being my favorite. Refreshing, easy and unique 😍
