Mojito

Like the margarita and the martini, the mojito has been the victim of its own success. Thanks to a huge wave of popularity in the early 2000s, the drink has been massacred countless times by poor recipes and/or variations like a mango mojito that most likely use bad artificial flavoring anyway. All this makes it the perfect drink to introduce the proper art of mixology to your friends who don't care to think about such pleasures.

1/2 Lime
8-10 Mint leaves
2 tsp. Granulated Sugar
2 oz White Rum
1 oz Selzer

Combine the limes, sugar, and mint leaves in a glass and muddle until the limes have released their juice and the mint has released its oils. Add ice and the rum and shake for 5-10 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled hi-ball and add the seltzer. Garnish with a mint sprig and serve.

Enjoy.

Ramos Gin Fizz

Certainly one of the great cocktails in history, this drink can double as a pretty satisfying dessert. It takes quite a bit of time to do it right, but it is 100% worth it.

1 1/2 oz Gin (Plymouth)
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Lime Juice
2 tbsp Cream
1 tbsp Superfine Sugar
1 Egg White
3-4 drops Orange Flower Water (no more, please)
1 oz Seltzer Water

Combine all the ingredients save the seltzer in a glass and shake for 5-10 seconds, or until the egg whites start to foam. Add 5-6 cubes worth of cracked ice and shake until your arms are ready to fall off (you are trying to wake it up, not put it to sleep). Place the glass in the freezer in a bucket of ice for 1-2 minutes, or until you are ready to shake again. Repeat until you can shake no more, or you have built up a meringue that is to your satisfaction (this is the drink where you really want to get it right). Strain into a highball, add the seltzer water, and garnish with a lemon twist.

Enjoy.