30 Second Cocktails: 5 Recipes For Last Minute Guests
No complicated equipment, no excess prep time. Trendy 30-second cocktails are those especially meant for evenings when guests show up unannounced. Cutting through the general scramble to put together snacks or a quick but delicious meal, things behind the bar become smoother as a result of these recipes for no-fuss cocktails that can be prepared with basic ingredients available at the home bar.
Complexly flavoured yet straightforward enough for an amateur mixologist to blend, these are recipes complete with sweet, sour, bitter flavours — exploring a whole spectrum of tasting notes without clumsy, last-minute messes. So, when guests come calling last minute or show up unannounced, these recipes might just be the key to retaining your top spot as an impeccable host.
Classic Gin And Tonic
Requiring just two basic ingredients, this is a classic blend that never goes out of vogue. It can be supplemented with herbs and citrusy flourishes, depending on whatever is available in your kitchen or at the bar.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml Tanqueray No. Ten Gin or any other premium gin of choice
- 60 ml tonic water
- Ice as required
- Rosemary sprig for garnish
Method:
— In a tall cocktail glass filled with ice, add 30 ml Tanqueray No. Ten Gin or any other premium gin of choice. Top this off with 60 ml tonic water and stir lightly. Garnish with a rosemary sprig before serving.
Whisky And Ginger
A highball cocktail known for its pairing of spicy and lightly smoky flavours, this drink is an excellent last-minute concoction that can pair well with a variety of bar bites or quick munchies.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml of any premium whisky of choice
- 60 ml ginger ale
- Ice as required
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Method:
– In a tall highball glass filled with ice, build 30 ml of any premium whisky of choice and 60 ml ginger ale in order. Garnish with a lemon wheel after lightly stirring the drink.
Cuba Libre
Another timeless cocktail known for its coming together of deeply caramelised rum and a sweetened cola, this is the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavours.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml of any premium rum of choice
- 60 ml cola
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Ice as required
- Lime wedge and tiki umbrella for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail glass filled with ice, add 30 ml of any premium rum of choice, along with 1 tablespoon lime juice. Top this off with 60 ml cola. Garnish with a lime wedge and tiki umbrella.
Check this recipe: Cuba Libre
Vodka And Cranberry Splash
Another fresh drink complete with an acidic and tart taste, this is a quick mix to prepare for guests who prefer a fruiter touch in their cocktails.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml of any premium vodka of choice
- 45 ml cranberry juice
- 15 ml soda water
- Ice as required
- Orange twist for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail glass filled with ice, bring together 30 ml of any premium vodka of choice and 45 ml cranberry juice. Top this off with 15 ml soda water and stir lightly. Garnish with an orange twist.
Tequila Citrus Fizz
A fresh, summer time cocktail complete with an acidic tang and the light, peppery quality of tequila blanco, this is a well-suited choice for last minute sundowner parties.
Ingredients:
- 30 ml of any premium tequila of choice
- 10 ml fresh lime juice
- 50 ml soda water
- Ice as required
- A pinch of sea salt for garnish
Method:
– In a cocktail glass filled with ice, add 30 ml of any premium tequila of choice and 10 ml fresh lime juice. Top this off with 50 ml soda water and stir gently. Garnish with a sprinkle of sea salt before serving.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
