Long before Sarah Jessica Parker made drinking cosmopolitans an art-form for the socially elite, cocktails were a staple favourite of the Hollywood Gent. Admittedly, in recent times cocktails have become more commonly regarded as the fuel of hen-parties but it doesn’t mean you should swerve a decent tipple over the New Year.
Stick your sex-on-the-beach, we’ve founded a list of the greatest, and may we say, most masculine cocktails, inspired by some of the World’s most influential male icons. Mix these bad boys to ‘Back in Black’ and sip over re-runs of Rambo for added man-points (plastic umbrella optional).
The Elvis Presley
Inspired by the King of Rock n Roll’ the Elvis Presley pays tribute to his theatrical success in the 1961 smash ‘Blue Hawaii’. Tall, tropical and filled with rum – this summery number is just like the man himself, super cool!
Ingredients
50ml Bacardi Carta Blanco
50ml blue curaçao
1 tsp coconut cream
100ml pineapple juice
Method
Combine the ingredients and shake with plenty of ice.
The Jack Nicholson
Fun and lovable with an unexpected twist – this number takes inspiration from the master of the dark portrayal, Jack Nicholson. With rum, vodka and heaps of ice – you won’t be able to sip this one without imagining Jack ‘chillin’ at the end of Kubricks’, The Shining.
Ingredients
1 cup pineapple juice
½ cup light rum or vodka, about 4-ounces
½ cup blue curacao, about 4-ounces
½ cup cream of coconut (not coconut milk), about 4-ounces
Method
Mix together and strain into a martini glass.
The Russell Crowe
At my signal, unleash hell! This mix takes inspiration from Hollywood finest Gladiator. Dark and brooding with real bite. Mix this in a large pitcher for a sharer with ‘maximus’ flavour. (sorry, not sorry).
Ingredients
1 fluid ounce amaretto liqueur
1 fluid ounce Southern Comfort
1 fluid ounce orange juice
1 fluid ounce sprite
Method
Stir ingredients together in a glass or mix together in a pitcher for multiple servings
The Hunter S Thompson
Unconventional, unique and a little off-the-wall. Hunter S Thompson’s favourite drink makes a feature in many of his literary successes with the inclusion of Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas. Obviously, we had to pay tribute to the World’s coolest visionary with a mention of the Hunter S Thompson ‘Singapore Sling’.
Ingredients
1 ½ ounces gin
½ ounce cherry heering
¼ ounce Cointreau liqueur
¼ ounce benedictine
4 ounces pineapple juice
½ ounce lime juice
½ ounce grenadine
1 dash bitters
Method
Shake with ice and strain into a glass. Garnish with a cherry and slice of pineapple.
The Humphrey Bogart
If it’s good enough for Humphrey, it’s good enough for me. The sophisticated French 75, makes a feature in the stylish (unashamedly romantic) Casablanca (1942). This is a chic and refreshing mix, perfect for a low-key evening. Play it, Sam!
Ingredients
45ml Gin
15ml lemon juice
7.5ml sugar syrup
Champagne
Method
Shake gin, lemon juice and syrup with ice. Strain into an empty glass and top with champagne.
Charlie Chaplin
Pay homage to the golden era of Hollywood and the comic, who made the world laugh. The Charlie Chaplin draws on the trends of the 1920’s and infuses the popular flavours of the premier drinks of the Waldorf-Astoria in it’s prime. This sweet, rich cocktail is a real step-back in time that will have you feeling all nostalgic of bygone times…
Ingredients
1 ounce apricot brandy
1 ounce sloe gin
1 ounce fresh lime juice
Lime peel for garnish
Method
Shake with ice and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with lime.
The Clint Eastwood
Strong, spicy and packed with character. The Clint Eastwood takes inspiration from our favourite western hero with the hard-edge of Dirty Harry and the heart of Walt Kowalski. It will certainly out hairs on your chest!
Ingredients
1 ½ oz. Bourbon
¾ oz. Sweet vermouth
2 dashes Regan’s orange bitters
1 Amarena cherry, for garnish
Method
Shake with ice and strain into a glass. Garnish with a cherry.
Leave us a comment or message us if you get a chance to try any of these out, we’d love to know your thoughts. Just remember to take care!