With bars closed for the foreseeable future, many people are dusting off that cocktail shaker set they got as a gift and becoming their own at-home-mixologists. Making drinks at home doesn’t mean you have to settle for the same spirit-soda combination you’ve been drinking since college. One of the best ways to experiment with mixology is to take a classic cocktail and add one simple spin to make it yours. Let’s countdown our favorite 6 classic cocktails with a unique twist:

Boulevardier 

The Negroni celebrates its 101st birthday this year! This cocktail is having a renaissance over the past two or three years. It harkens back to a period when mixed drinks had more herbal and bitter notes than sweetness. The traditional recipe is a 1:1:1 ratio of gin, sweet vermouth and Campari. The Boulevardier swaps out the gin for bourbon which gives you warmer, oakier notes. Incredible during the fall months. Be sure to serve in a rocks glass with a big ol’ ice cube.  

• 1 oz. Campari Liqueur
• 1 oz. Dolin Vermouth Rouge
• 1 oz. Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
• Orange zest 

Bauchant Sidecar 

The Sidecar is another century-old cocktail that many have heard of, but don’t know what’s in it. Cognac serves as the primary spirit in this drink. Alongside the Cognac is orange liqueur. We selected this cocktail so we can highlight Bauchant Orange Liqueur. Bauchant is going to be your next bar staple. Swap out the Cointreau in the traditional Sidecar recipe and enjoy $10 savings for a liqueur that’s even tastier. 

• 1.5 oz. Landys Cognac
• 1 oz. Bauchant Orange Liqueur
• Juice from a half a lemon 
• Orange Twist to Garnish 

Pumpkin Apple Shandy 

If the term, “shandy” makes you think of lemonade, beer, and an afternoon on the beach – you wouldn’t be wrong, but there is an autumn time version you need to try! Does anything scream fall more than the words, “pumpkin”, and “apple”?  Break out the denim jackets and red flannel shirts because this drink will certainly get you in an autumn mood. If you’re staying home and want to kick this drink up a notch, add 1oz of bourbon. And if you’re really feeling jazzy, add a cinnamon sugar rim to make you feel like you’re at a state fair! 

• 6 oz. Two Roads Roadsmary’s Baby Pumpkin Ale or Shipyard Pumpkin
• 4 oz. Fresh Apple Cider 
• 1 oz. Bourbon (optional) 
• Cinnamon sugar rim (optional) 

Apple Cider Moscow Mule 

A new spin on an old favorite. Get your copper glass ready for this apple-goodness. A splash of fresh apple cider can go a long way in a drink. The cider adds body, sweetness and color. Combined with the spice and bubbles of the ginger beer, this is going to be your new go-to this fall.

• 3 oz. Apple Cider 
• 4 oz. Fever-Tree Ginger Beer
• 2 oz. Steel Dust Vodka
• Juice from a half a lemon 
• Dash of ground cinnamon or cinnamon stick to garnish. 

Caipirinha 

You know a Margarita. You know a Daiquiri. Now meet the Caipirinha (that’s fun to say, huh?). A Caipirinha is what would happen if a Margarita and a Daiquiri had a baby.  This classic Brazilian cocktail features Cachaça (also fun to say) – which is similar to rum but made from cane sugar. This drink has a fresh taste and is light and refreshing. Best of all, you can simplify the process by using RIPE Bar Juice – made fresh in small batches in New Haven.  

• 1.5 oz Pitu Cachaca  
• 3 oz RIPE Agave Margarita Bar Juice 
• Lime Wheels to Garnish 

Basil Gimlet 

So you purchased a bottle of RIPE Agave Margarita Bar Juice and want to use it in a second recipe. We have just the thing. Elevate another classic cocktail in The Gimlet by infusing basil leaves. The addition of fresh herbs will make you look like a mixology genius!  

• 1.5 oz. Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin
• 3 oz. RIPE Agave Margarita Bar Juice 
• 5 Basil Leaves 

Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice until the basil leaves release their full herbal magic.

Enjoy your next cocktail creation! Cheers!