A cocktail is any alcoholic drink that is made up of at least two or more liquor ingredients. One of the constituent is generally spirit. A cocktail was originally defined as a stimulating drink and an excellent motivating liquid, which sometimes makes a person devoid of the ability to think straight. Cocktails are mostly a mixture of liquor or a combination of liquors, sugar and water. Nowadays cocktails also contain soda, and often come mixed with special ingredients like herbs, milk or cream.

A cocktail is prepared on particular base liquor and then other ingredients are added onto it. The base liquors can be beer, vodka, gin, rum, brandy, wine or tequila. Some of the preparations of highly popular cocktails are as given below.

1. Paradise – This is considered to be a pre-dinner cocktail.

·         Base Liquor – Gin and Brandy

·         Ingredients – 7 parts gin, 4 parts apricot brandy, 3 parts orange juice.

·         Preparation – The ingredients are well shaken together, and then served chilled mixed with ice.

·         Glass used – Cocktail glass

·         Served – Straight up

1. Martini – This is a classic and exquisite cocktail drink.
   • Base Liquor – Gin
   • Ingredients – 11 parts gin, 3 parts dry vermouth with olive or lemon peels.
   • Preparation – The ingredients are first poured into the glass along with ice cubes. Then it’s stirred properly, and garnished with the olive or lemon juice.
   • Glass used – Cocktail glass
   • Served – Straight up

1. Blue Lagoon – It’s the most popular cocktail for summer and beach parties.
   • Base Liquor – Vodka
   • Ingredients – 1 part vodka, 1 part Blue Curacao (blue colored liquor obtained from citrus fruit), 4 parts lemonade.
   • Preparation – The ingredients are taken in the mixing glass with ice, stirred well and then garnished with a slice of lemon.
   • Glass used – Highball glass
   • Served – On the rocks

1. Martini – It’s the most popular tequila based cocktail.
   • Base Liquor – Tequila
   • Ingredients – 7 parts tequila, 4 parts Cointreau (brand of triple sec liquor), and 3 parts lemon juice.
   • Preparation – The glass is rubbed with the lemon to make the salt stick to it. Then the ingredients are poured carefully, and garnished with ice.
   • Glass used – Rimmed glass
   • Served – On the rocks

1. Pina Colada – This is a sweet flavor cocktail mostly famous in the Caribbean islands.
   • Base Liquor – Rum
   • Ingredients – 1 part White Rum, 1 part Coconut Cream, 3 parts Pineapple Juice.
   • Preparation – The ingredients are mixed with crushed ice. Then it’s poured into glass and garnished with pineapple slice.
   • Glass used – Goblet or Hurricane
   • Served – Frozen style