It’s Friday night, and you’ve had a long week. You’re ready to take a few moments to relax and unwind.  You deserve it.  It’s time for a relaxing cocktail. Author A.J. Dean has compiled a fabulous collection of fifty two simple and delicious drinks — plus many variations — to help you uncoil from the week and start the weekend.  Friday Night Cocktails is a must-have cocktail book for anyone interested in a well-made but not fussy homemade mixed drink. The focus of the book is “cocktail as ritual” — a recognition that the transition from the workweek to the weekend should be a celebration.

 

The recipes are a collection of classic, contemporary, and unique drinks. Each of the recipes are made with common ingredients that readers can easily stock up on and keep at hand. “The key to a delicious cocktail is balance. With a little understanding of the roles of the main components —alcohol, water, sugar, bitters — you can begin to experiment on your own,” Dean explains.  “Like the French 75 cocktail (gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, sparkling wine). Why not try grapefruit juice in place of the lemon? Or make the same recipe but use different gins?”

 

In addition to recipes, Friday Night Cocktails provides information on crucial barware, glassware, and tips.  The recipes are divided into chapters by season and month so you can enjoy the perfect cocktail to match the weather.

 

The message is “try something new, but be mindful of the tried-and-true.”  This holiday season celebrate the joy of cocktails with Friday Night Cocktails.

 

 

What’s better than pumpkin pie? How about a boozy pumpkin pie in a glass. Thanksgiving leftovers, anyone?

 

GLASS: Martini GARNISH: Cinnamon Stick 

 

2 oz/60 ml vodka

1 oz/30 ml dark rum

2 Tbsp pumpkin purée

1 oz/30 ml maple syrup

¼ tsp pure vanilla extract

Pinch of pumpkin pie spice

½ oz/15 ml half-and-half

Cinnamon stick, for garnish

 

In a cocktail shaker, add the vodka, rum, pumpkin purée, maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and half-and-half. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a cinnamon sick. 

 

Penicillin 

Created in 2005 by an Australian bartender named Sam Ross, this drink will almost make you want to get sick more often. The addition of the single malt floating on top adds a smoky aroma before you taste the sweet, tart cocktail.

 

GLASS: Lowball GARNISH: Candied Sugar 

 

2 oz/60 ml blended Scotch whiskey

¾ oz/22 ml lemon juice, freshly squeezed

¾ oz/22 ml Ginger-Honey Syrup

¼ oz/7 ml single malt Scotch

Candied ginger, for garnish

 

In a cocktail shaker, add the blended Scotch, lemon juice, and Ginger-Honey Syrup. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass with ice and top with the single malt Scotch. Garnish with pieces of candied ginger.

 

 

In Italian, sbagliato means “messed up” or “mistaken.” History would like to tell us that, while making a classic negroni, a distracted bartender grabbed a bottle of prosecco instead of the called-for gin. History may also vary the exact details. In any event, you have a refreshing reminder that sometimes a mistake is a good thing.

 

GLASS: Lowball GARNISH: Orange Peel 

 

1 oz/30 ml Campari

1 oz/30 ml sweet vermouth

1 oz/30 ml prosecco or sparkling wine

Orange peel, for garnish

 

Fill a cocktail glass with ice. Add the Campari and vermouth and stir to mix. Top with the prosecco — the Campari and vermouth will still be “settled” at the bottom. Garnish with an orange peel and serve with a cocktail straw. 

 

CLASSIC NEGRONI. In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine 1 oz (30 ml) gin,  1 oz (30 ml) Campari, and 1 oz (30 ml) sweet vermouth. Stir until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with an orange peel.

 

Credit legendary British bartender Dick Bradsell for this delicious concoction. Typically, the Espresso Martini is made with Kahlúa and topped with three coffee beans (for health, happiness, and prosperity).

 

GLASS: Martini GARNISH: Coffee Beans 

 

2 oz/60 ml vodka

½ oz/15 ml coffee liqueur

¼ oz/7 ml simple syrup

1 oz/30 ml espresso, freshly brewed

Coffee beans, for garnish

 

In a cocktail shaker, add the vodka, coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and espresso. Add ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with coffee beans floated on the top.

 

EASY ESPRESSO MARTINI, using store-bought cold-brew coffee. In a cocktail glass, add 2 oz (60 ml) vodka, 1 oz (30 ml) cold-brew coffee, and 1 oz (30 ml) coffee liqueur and stir to mix. Add an ice cube and serve.