It is Mixology Monday again and the Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails – Boston are hosting. The theme for this month’s party is “First Time” or what would you serve a cocktail virgin for their first drink. What are the so called gateway cocktails that turn one forever? Is is just a group of cocktails? Sure, as I think down my own path, there are the Margaritas, Gin & Tonic’s and Jack & Coke’s that eased me into the comfort of ordering a cocktail rather than beer. Of course, many of these were awful. Not really the best introduction to a culinary art.

What do I suggest is the best “first timer’s” cocktail? Not one drink, but rather a few rules to follow when creating that first libation.

1) Don’t use a lot of liquor – go easy on the newbie with a small pour
2) Premium spirits only! You don’t need to use a lot, so pour a decent brand. Many are turned off forever by cheap booze.
3) Use fresh fruit – got a muddler? impress everyone with your skills and muddle fresh fruit and sugar syrup in each cocktail. Any thing works, lemons, limes, berries, oranges, grapes, kiwi, pineapple.
4) Ice, Ice, Ice – male sure you drink have lots of fresh cool ice – this will help to dilute the drink mellowing it for your first time drinker.
5) Keep it simple

Here’s a few recipe that are perfect for the first timer:

Berry Caipirinha
Sidecar
Madras

Mixology Monday XXXVII – LUPEC – Boston