If you know us, you know we love a cocktail, and the more elaborate, the better. But this Re-Emergence Cocktail Menu is all about the simple, no-fail, classics, that will never let you down. Our Re-Emergence capsule echoes the sentiment that sometimes simple really is best.

We thought this would be a perfect time to share, in case you find yourself hosting a gathering for the first time in a while, and looking for a drink menu that is sure to please. Look no further - cheers!

 

Tom Collins

A derivative of one of the oldest classic cocktails on the books, this sweeter version of the original John Collins is simply refreshing. 

Named after the bartender at the Limmer’s Hotel in London, the John Collins was created in the early 1800s - an instant hit. Soon the dry Dutch gin would be replaced with a sweeter British version and the Tom Collins was born. 

• 1 tsp sugar
• Juice of a lemon, squeezed and strained 
• 1 ½ oz British gin
• Club soda
• Add cubed ice to a tall glass. Add the sugar and lemon juice and swizzle. Pour in the gin (go ahead and swizzle again, you know you want to). Top with the club soda and a slice of fresh lemon. The now-ubiquitous cherry is a modern edition and slightly gratuitous . . . so you know we are 100% here for it.

El Presidente 

What a match! Americans looking for fun and rum . . . and Cubans with a copious amount of both. 

While this drink was already popular across Cuba, it was Havana bartender Costantino Ribailagua of the Floridita who raised its' deliciousness to a new level of fame. 

• 1 oz light rum 
• 1 oz of dry vermouth 
• 1 tsp grenadine 
• 1 tsp curaçao
• Twist of orange peel

Start with a tall glass of cracked ice and then add the rum and vermouth. Stir together the grenadine and curacao and then add to the glass. Twist the orange peel over the top of the drink to deposit the oils on the surface. Add peel to the drink and light a stogie. 

Gimlet 

We owe our gratitude for this lovely to the boys of the British Navy. It was those early geniuses who took to combining their daily ration of gin and lime juice to keep away the scurvy and the boredom.  

That said, we actually prefer the delicious vodka version of this classic and find it the perfect match for parties and mowing the lawn. 

• A great vodka
• Rose’s lime juice
• Nothing else

Beautiful in its' simplicity, we’ll let you determine the pour. We do, however, employ you to adhere to the 50/50 ratio . . . which you are likely to never hear us say again, but in this case, trust us.

Manhattan 

As glamorous as the island that shares its' name. This American classic is the only dark liquor making our list. 

There are several origin stories but none of them hold up to scrutiny, so we encourage you to enjoy a few and then do your own episode of Drunk History.  

• 1 ½ oz rye
• ¾ oz sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters 
• Maraschino cherry

Place a handful of crushed ice in a shaker with the rye, vermouth, and bitters. Strain into a chilled cocktail of glass with ice and add a cherry (no one is looking if you decide two or three would thrill your heart).

Margarita 

Marjorie King . . . know her? Remember her? Of course, the famous silent screen siren at the turn of the last century. 

Kudos if you said yes . . . we see you, and want to hang out! 

So it turns out that she claimed to be allergic to every liquor except tequila. That’s our girl! 

And so what does one do? Exactly what Danny Herrrera of the Rancho La Gloria in Tijuana did - create a drink just for her and then give it a Spanish influenced name. Thus we have the margarita! 

• Lemon wedge
• Salt
• 1 ½ oz tequila 
• Juice of a large lime, squeezed and strained
• ½ oz Cointreau 

Rim the glass with a lime and salt. Add tequila, juice, and Cointreau in a shaker of ice. Strain into your rimmed and crushed ice glass then garnish with a lime.

Kir Royale

Say what you will, the French understand how to turn simple pleasures into magic. 

Enter the Kir Royale stage left. 

Originally enjoyed by farmers and vineyard workers of Burgundy at lunch, this drink was named after a popular mayor and war hero . . . Cheers to you Mayor Kir - you are a good man. 

• ½ oz Cassis 
• Champagne 

Pour it in a flute . . . next!

Mango Mule

• 4-5 slices of cucumber
• 1 oz. honey syrup
• 1.5 oz mango puree
• 1.5 oz. fresh lime juice
• 1.5 oz. ginger beer
• Ice

Muddle the cucumber and honey syrup in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add the mango puree and lime juice and shake with ice vigorously. Strain into a copper mug. Top with ginger beer and stir!