For The Weekenders: Three Cocktails That Scream Power…

What you drink says a lot about you…the vodka and club soda for the gym rat – the gin and tonic for the health conscious upper-middle class socialite – the Cosmo for the OH-EM-GEE sorority girl who just loves watching Sex and The City …but sometimes, all jokes aside, what you drink really can say something important about you in crucial settings.

Last week’s For The Weekenders was pretty epic, but I wanted to kind of tone down this week’s with something everyone can do over the weekend if they choose to – drink. So here’s three cocktails that scream power, dominance, and that you’ve got your head in the game – whether it’s business or pleasure. Enjoy.

For The Weekenders: Three Cocktails That Scream Power…

So it’s the weekend. You’re out and about flying high because of a project you just completed and got commended for, or a business deal you just closed. Either way, you want that celebratory drink you’ve been dreaming about since Sunday – and dammit, you’re going to have it.

Maybe you’ll be having it alone – maybe with some of your closest team members…or maybe, just maybe, that pretty little thing you’ve always been trying to chat up and finally got a shot at because of your recent victory.

Either way, if you’re looking to have a drink that reinforces the power you’ve just displayed and claimed, that drink must be a Rusty Nail. Which consists of…

1.5 oz Scotch
1.5 oz Drambuie
Twist of Orange Peel
Rolled Cinnamon Stick

Grab an old-fashioned glass near filled with ice cubes – then pour the scotch and Drambuie in there, stir, garnish with orange peel and a cinnamon stick…indulge.

Bold flavour. Smooth with a kick…and a pinch of cinnamy spice.

This next one’s for those of you who want something a little more familiar – something that shows that you’re low key, but also have some gears turning up there in that noggin of yours…bit of mystery.

The Manhattan is the perfect drink for when you decide to hit up a place where the bartender is just that – a bartender, and not necessarily the type you can throw fancy names at (not saying that, “one Rusty Nail please” is anything fancy).

I like it second best to a Rusty Nail, due to the sheer fact it’s a well known classic and cures that sweet tooth when you fancy something a little more…fruity.

.75 oz Sweet Vermouth
2.5 oz Bourbon Whiskey
Bit of Angostura Bitters
Single Maraschino Cherry
Twist of Orange Peel

There’s two ways to do this – the quick, dirty, I just want a drink way, or the let’s be classy and neat as fuck way. Your choice. So…

The Quick and Dirty: Grab an Old Fashioned Glass, fill it with ice, throw in all the ingredients and stir. Take the cherry and orange peel, chuck it in there too, and voila – the easiest Manhattan you’ll ever make.

The Let’s be Classy and Neat as Fuck: Grab a mixing glass (better yet, get your bartender to grab a mixing glass) – then pour in all the ingredients over about 3 ice cubes in that puppy. Stir it carefully as not to bruise the spirits – don’t let it cloud. Then grab a chilled cocktail glass – put the cherry in there. Take a strainer, and strain the mix over the cherry. Grab the orange peel, take the cut edge, and run it over the rim of the glass to get the oils on there. Twist it further over the drink to release more oils, but don’t put it in the mix.

Toast to life, and enjoy.

Alright, homestretch. This one’s for when you feel like something cool and refreshing after nearly sweating your power attire out as the anticipation rose in you while you saw yourself cruising to victory. This is for those moments when you want something that’ll refresh you, cool you down, and bring a sense of Jesus god I want to get smashed but do it in a suave way to the table.

The Mint Julep cocktail is the perfect mixed beverage of choice. It’s powerful, it’s sweet, it’s refreshing, it taste damn good, and most importantly – it’s one of those drinks that you can feel comfortable enough ordering for the other party, with a warm smile and a reassuring “this is one drink you’ll absolutely love.”

2.5 oz Bourbon Whiskey
1 tsp Powdered Sugar
2 tsp Water
4 FRESH Sprigs of Mint – if you don’t know what a “sprig” is – that’s 4-6 mint leaves – the true definition of “minty fresh” (see what I did there? Yeah.)

Take all this deliciousness and start with the mint leaves – tear them to release their natural oils, then muddle with the powdered sugar and water in a Collins glass. Add some crushed ice, about halfway – then add the bourbon. Stir a bit. Add more ice, and use one of those mint sprigs I mentioned earlier to garnish.