#theATOD5 | Memorial Day Libations

These days while the world implodes from political cover-ups and societal regression, there has never been a better time for a damn drink. The truth is that while we find our way through the epic sea of uncertainty, making something like a cocktail shouldn’t be fueled by fancy verbiage and a sense of elitism. It’s alcohol—and cocktails are an age-old craft. It is fun by its very nature, and I think maybe its time we let down our guard, stop worrying about the tasting notes or how proper or novice we are, and just make a drink with a smile on our face and no judgment. Just enjoy the moments—we never know how many more we get.

So this weekend it is time to honor those men and women who served and gave their lives for democracy, liberty, and true patriotism. And what better way to put some love into making a lovely libation than raising our glasses to them … CHEERS!

photos by View Apart

INGREDIENTS

1.5 oz CÎROC VS French Brandy

0.75 oz maraschino

0.75 oz lemon juice

0.75 oz pineapple juice

2 dashes bitters

Garnish + Glass: Pineapple wedge, on the rocks. 

Preparation | Add all ingredients in a shaker except the bitters. Add ice & shake well until everything is chilled. Double strain into a rocks glass and garnish.

INGREDIENTS

2 oz CÎROC Watermelon

1 oz Pineapple Juice

.5 oz Creme of Coconut

.5 oz Lime Juice

Bitters

Glass + Garnish: Rocks crushed ice. Watermelon triangle.

Preparation: Add all ingredients in a shaker except the bitters. Add ice and shake well until everything is chilled. Double strain into a rocks glass and garnish.

INGREDIENTS

1.5 oz DeLeon Reposado tequila

1 oz grapefruit juice

.75 oz lime juice

.5 oz simple syrup

Pinch of Kosher salt

Club Soda

Glassware + Garnish: Highball/Collins glass. Grapefruit wedge.

Preparation

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain over fresh ice into glass. Top with club soda.

INGREDIENTS

1.25 oz DeLeon Platinum

.75 oz Grapefruit

.5 oz Lime Juice

.25 oz Agave

Glassware + Garnish: Margarita. Salt and Turmeric

Preparation: Cut 3-4 jalapeños lengthwise, and add to bottle of DeLeon Platinum to infuse for 20 minutes. Add infused tequila and additional ingredients to shaker. Combine salt and turmeric to garnish rim of glass, shake with ice, strain and serve.

INGREDIENTS

1.5 oz. CÎROC VS French Brandy

0.5 oz. dry Curaçao

0.5 oz. simple syrup

1 wedge of orange/lemon

1 strawberry and 3 raspberries

Garnish + Glass: Raspberry, Strawberry and Mint. Rocks with crushed ice.

Preparation | In shaker, muddle all the fruits. Add the rest of the ingredients and 1 ice cube. Double strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Garnish.