Mexican-Inspired Cocktails At Home
Free download to plan an inclusive cocktail menu at home - keep scrolling below!
Let's keep it simple and fun. Planning a dinner party can be stressful from curating the guest list, the playlist, cleaning the house, curating the menu, and making sure the flowers are set for the occasion. The cocktail menu has the power to take over the night as it delivers joy in a glass and helps build connections among guests. I value using fresh seasonal fruits, ingredients that are endemic to Mexico. I am also mindful of selecting spirits that don’t have additives and are mission based brand. Here are tips to create an inclusive cocktail menu at home and four simple recipes.
Show me your creations by tagging us on Instagram at @Vida_Mia_Cocktails. Salud!
RECIPE GUIDE
Step 1: Fall in Love with the Season
The best cocktails are made with seasonal fruits. Inspired by the ease of making aguas frescas at home all you need is fresh fruit. For example, melon season in the late summer will produce the best sweet juice when placed in a blender like with equal parts water, mint leaves from the garden and light sugar al gusto. Or you can make a cucumber agua fresca with fresh lime juice, water, and agave. The idea here is that you are visiting your produce store to pick up seasonal fruits to make them the main MVP of the cocktail. In January and February, there is an abundance of raspberries and citrus fruits. Bring these fruits home for a cocktail punch.
Seasonal fruits and vegetables to inspire your next cocktail
Step 2: Balance and Elegance
When I teach cocktail classes, my motto is to practice balance and elegance. Balance when measuring your ingredients by using a bar jigger or measuring cup. You want to be sure to balance the fresh fruit juices with a sweetener, citrus, and spirits. Get to know your jigger and the measurement for each side. Have your measurement cup ready to go and be prepared to batch your drinks for your dinner party.
Elegance comes through with the garnishes you select to accessorize your cocktail. I absolutely love to use fresh herbs from the garden or the store such as mint, sage, rosemary, and basil by simply releasing their sensuous aroma from their natural oils. Edible flowers can add a touch of elegance like no other. Fruit can be thinly cut, curled, and added to your beverage to delight the eye. Lastly, the glassware and ice will elevate the delivery of your cocktails if you pick glassware that matches the type of drink being created and if we take the extra step to pick the ice type. For example, a negroni or old fashion cocktail is commonly served in a 9 oz glass that can house a large cubicle ice in order to have the ice help dilute the drink slowly. In contrast, a tiki drink or margarita will be served with fresh crushed ice to keep the cocktail cool.
Step 3: Batch Your Cocktails But Make It Inclusive
When batching your cocktails, make sure you have measuring cups, glass pitchers, and space in the refrigerator to keep your punches and beverages cool for your guests. The simple rule is that if you are going to convert a single serving recipe for more people, you will need to do math. For example, a templated recipe for a single serving typically includes:
2 oz of a spirit
1 oz fresh fruit juice
.50 oz citrus juice (lime or lemon)
.50 oz of a sweetener
Garnish
Single Serving
If I am making this for 4 people, I will prepare the batch by multiplying this templated recipe by the number of servings that I would like for the dinner party. For a dinner party of four, I will want 12 servings because I know my people and our drinks are good! Therefore, I will multiply the recipe serving by 12.
24 oz of a spirit
12 oz of fresh fruit juice
6 oz of citrus juice (lime or lemon)
6 oz of a sweetener
12 garnishes
Serving Size: 12
Total Liquid Ounces:48 ounces
You will need a punch bowl or pitcher that can hold 48+ ounces. Full recipes listed below with exact ingredients.
Step 4: Serve + Make Memories
When setting up your home bar, use whole fruits that are featured in the punches as decoration. For example, have limes, lemons, or oranges laid out if they are part of the recipe. Add flowers to the home bar to elevate the look and allow the aroma and visuals to welcome your guests to the bar. I love to add votive candles that my grandma and parents had in the house growing up to remind me to salute and raise a glass for those who came before us including ancestors that passed. This is welcome all year long as a symbol. Within the bar area, have cocktail napkins, your glassware laid out, and sturdy ice holders to set up a self serve station. I like to create an 8x11 cocktail menu highlighting each ingredient in each beverage. I print it out at a Photoshop at the nearby Pharmacy because it looks great glossy, the printing is fast, and I can frame the cocktail menu.
