Cocktail Time – Collins, Paloma and Old Fashioned

My company has always been great for colleague connectivity events. They invest heavily in the social side of our working relationships and truly believe in the positive impact this has on our working together. I absolutely agree with it and mimic this behavior with my own teams. 

While we can’t connect in person right now, it has not slowed down our getting together. Besides our own teams’ daily and weekly zoom gatherings, our office has been promoting more all-colleague events with super small and large group gatherings from insane, kick-your-butt morning workouts with Nike trainers, to afternoon 10-minute mindfulness sessions, to karaoke and cooking classes with Chicago celebrity chefs (a favorite of mine)!  This past week we did a mixology class with Ravae Schneider of the RS Collective and I have to say it was really fun and cocktail educational.

On the cocktail menu was a Collins, Paloma and Old Fashioned. Recipes were sent to us ahead of time so we could buy all the ingredients.  Everything was really easy to get and let’s be honest, many of us have the core ingredient of alcohol at hand right now 😊!

For each cocktail, simple syrup is required and could not be easier to make bringing 1 1/4 cup of water to a vigorous boil. Add 1 cup of sugar, stir until the sugar is completely diluted in the water. Refrigerate to cool. This makes more than you may need but can be saved for another at-home cocktail making session.

Ravae first spent time showing us how to make the cocktails and then made it again with the class.  The session was really interactive with lots of questions and even liquor trivia in-between cocktails, which made it more engaging. 

My hands-down, made multiple times since favorite was the Collins.  This drink just takes like summer.  I tried with both vodka and gin and like both, but definitely lean towards gin as I love the taste of gin with citrus. 

Collins

1.5oz [2 parts] Vodka or Gin
.75oz [1 part] Simple Syrup
.75oz [1 part] Fresh Lemon
Good Pinch of Mint
Top with Soda or Sparkling Wine 
Shake the vodka/gin, syrup, lemon and mint over ice in a cocktail shaker, pour into the glass and top with soda water or sparkling wine

While I am not a huge tequila fan – long story from Key West about 20 years ago is all I can say ☹, the Paloma really had that citrus kick I love and actually is making me slowly dip my toe back into enjoying tequila. The red grapefruit tastes awesome and adding some lime and salt to the rim makes it soooo good!  

Someone asked Ravae “what are the mistakes people make when making their cocktails at home?” The answer was as simple as use simple syrup and fresh fruit and juice from fresh fruit.

The Old Fashioned for me is a nursing drink. I enjoy a Manhattan every now and then when I want to curl myself up on the sofa to a movie and just sip a drink over a few hours.  I have now added the Old Fashioned to these few and far between moments.  I am thinking a good fall/winter even cocktail.

I didn’t have the orange bitters but Ravae said that was okay. I am thinking of getting some anyway just to see if it makes a big difference to the cocktail.

While I am at heart a wine drinker, I have really been enjoying the whole process of making the cocktails and even showed my friend in Boston how to make the Collins, which we both then drank together while catching up. 

Thank you to Ravae for a fantastic session in cocktails making!