Drinking will always be about ritual. Some traditions are timeless – like toasting with friends and downing a shot. While the sentiment endures, spirits and recipes have evolved with the times. Now, whether enjoyed by customers or staff at the end of a hard night’s work, classic cocktails are getting turned into fun and whimsical shots.
LAST SHOT
4 servings
1 oz. gin
1 oz. Green Chartreuse
1 oz. lime juice
1 oz. maraschino liqueur
Combine all the ingredients in a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into 4 rocks glasses without ice. Utter a few last words; down the shot.
OLD-FASHIONED SHOT
4 servings
6 oz. bourbon or rye
1 orange, quartered
Sugar
Angostura bitters
Pour 1½ ounces whiskey into 4 shot glasses. Coat the orange quarters with sugar, then shake a dash of bitters on each quarter. Bite the orange; down the shot.
HEMINGWAY “SNACK”QUIRI
4 servings
4 oz. rum
2 oz. grapefruit juice
2 oz. simple syrup
1 oz. lime juice
4 Luxardo maraschino cherries
Combine all the liquid ingredients in a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously. Strain into 4 shot glasses. Down the shot; eat the cherry.
DRINKING MANHATTAN
4 servings
4 oz. bourbon or rye whiskey
2 oz. sweet vermouth
4 dashes Angostura bitters
4 lemon twist
Pour 1 ounce whiskey, ½ ounce vermouth and 1 dash bitters into each of 4 shot glasses. Twist 1 lemon peel, express the oils into a shot and discard the twist. Repeat to make 3 more shots. Toast to the town; down the shot.
This article appears in September 2015.
