New Delhi: Hosting at home does not require complicated techniques or a fully stocked bar. With a few quality spirits and fresh ingredients, you can serve cocktails that feel polished and party-ready. These three recipes balance flavour, presentation and simplicity, making them ideal for intimate gatherings or relaxed evenings with friends. From a vibrant gin fizz to a timeless Old Fashioned and a refreshing basil smash, each drink delivers character without demanding professional skills.
Whether you prefer bright berry notes, warm caramel depth or herbaceous citrus freshness, these cocktails cover every mood. Each recipe uses premium spirits and minimal ingredients, ensuring clean flavours and easy preparation. Keep your glassware chilled, measure precisely and garnish thoughtfully for a finish that feels refined yet approachable.
Signature bar-style drinks you can make at home
Cranberry Fizz
A cocktail that captures festive charm in a glass, ruby red, lively and impossible to ignore. It combines winter berries, sparkling wine and Hendrick’s botanical character for a drink that feels celebratory from the first sip.
Ingredients
• 50 ml Hendrick’s Gin
• 100 ml cranberry juice
• 50 ml sparkling wine
• Cucumber slices, mint sprig and fresh cranberries
Method
Build in a highball glass filled with ice. Stir lightly and garnish generously with cucumber, mint and cranberries.
Tasting notes
Bright berry tartness meets gentle florals and soft effervescence, creating a refreshing and elegant serve.
Monkey Shoulder’s Lazy Old Fashioned
A timeless cocktail designed for effortless sophistication. This version keeps the classic depth and warmth intact while remaining simple enough to prepare without fuss.
Ingredients
• 2 parts Monkey Shoulder
• 1/4 part simple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• Orange zest and twist
Method
Add Monkey Shoulder, simple syrup and Angostura bitters to a mixing glass. Add ice and stir until properly chilled and slightly diluted. Strain into a glass over ice and garnish with orange zest and a twist.
Tasting notes
Warm caramel richness, mellow citrus oils and a gentle hint of spice deliver smooth, balanced elegance in every sip.
Grant’s Basil Smash
Fresh, vibrant and aromatic, this cocktail blends whisky with herbal brightness for a lighter yet flavourful option.
Ingredients
• 60 ml Grant’s TripleWood Whisky
• 4–5 fresh basil leaves
• 25 ml cucumber syrup
• 20 ml fresh lime juice
Garnish
Fresh basil leaf
Method
Add whisky, basil leaves, cucumber syrup and lime juice into a shaker. Muddle gently to release aroma. Shake well over ice and strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Garnish with a fresh basil leaf.
Clean, herbaceous notes balanced by citrus and smooth whisky undertones make this a refreshing crowd-pleaser.
With the right balance of flavour and presentation, these cocktails transform any gathering into a stylish, memorable evening.
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