Dads like cocktails, too! Anyone who thinks that cocktails are just sweet girly drinks is just wrong. There is so much more to the artistry of cocktails. Not everyone has the tools at home to make a fancy cocktail recipe for Dad this Father’s Day, but I’ve got you covered with a few solid, simple favorites to get you started.
Tools you’ll need for the cocktail recipes:
- Chilled martini, rocks, and tall glasses
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger/pony (the double-sided cocktail measure)
- Muddling stick
- Mixing stick/spoon
Now let’s talk cocktail recipes for Dad for this Father’s Day with a few of my simple favorites:
Espresso Martini
Who says you can’t have a cocktail with breakfast? It has coffee in it, right?
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce espresso or cold brew coffee
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce coffee liqueur, such as Kahlúa
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Ice to shake
- Coffee beans to garnish
Method:
- Brew your coffee and let it cool or refrigerate.
- Put everything in a cocktail shaker half filled with ice.
- Shake.
- Pour into your empty martini glass and garnish with a few coffee beans
Black/White Russian
Pair these drinks with The Big Lebowski, and it’s set to be a hit with Dad!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup ice
- 2 fluid ounces of vodka
- 1 fluid ounce of coffee-flavored liqueur
- 1 fluid ounce of heavy cream
Method:
- Pop your ice in your rocks glass and then layer up your liquors.
- To make a White Russian, add the cream and watch it swirl.
Moscow Mule
A spicy little ginger kick!
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces vodka
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice (about ½ medium lime)
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- Lime wedge, for garnish
Method:
- Fill your tall glass with ice.
- Add your vodka and lime juice, then pour your ginger beer to fill the glass.
- Garnish with a lime wedge if you are fancy.
Mojito
A classic and perfect for the summery weather.
Ingredients:
- 5 sprigs of mint
- 5 lime wedges or 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces white rum
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- Ice
- Club soda or sparkling water
- Lime slices, for garnish
Method:
- Muddle mint and lime wedges in the bottom of a glass if you have them.
- Fill with ice.
- Add fresh lime juice (If you aren’t muddling wedges), simple syrup, and rum.
- Give it a good swirl around the glass with your mixing stick.
- Top with club soda. Garnish with your mint sprigs and lime wedges.
Now, let’s learn how to make simple syrup for your cocktail recipes:
Many cocktail recipes need simple syrup, and it is so simple to make! In a small saucepan, melt 1 part white sugar in one part water. This can be whatever measurement you choose, but one cup of each makes it nice and easy. Keep mixing over a medium-low heat until the sugar has fully dissolved. Pour into your bottle of choice.
Want to get a little fancy and perhaps gift some cool, flavored simple syrup to the Dads in your life? Try adding various flavors to your saucepan. Cinnamon, berries, aniseed, you name it! Get creative and make your Dad happy, and maybe a little tipsy. Happy Father’s Day!
