Cocktail Recipe – Live Laugh Love Do

Lychee Martini – A Beautiful Mess

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2025 14:47:55 +0000

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Have you tried a Lychee Martini? It’s sometimes called “lichitini” or “lycheetini.” Today’s cocktail recipe is sweet, strong and complex. You will love the mix of delicate floral flavors in this delicious cocktail. This recipe is perfect for your next celebration.

More recipes: Espresso Martini, Chocolate Martini, Lemon Drop Martini, Dry Martini, Snickerdoodle Martini, Vodka Martini Recipe, Cosmopolitan, Appletini, Paper Plane, French Martini, Vesper Martini.

Ingredients in a Lychee Martini

Vodka – The main spirit in this martini is vodka.
Orange Liqueur – I used Grand Marnier.
Lychee Puree – I found mine here. You may also use lychee juice.
Lychee Fruit – I used a can of lychees.

The best glass to serve a lychee martini in is a classic martini glass. I also used these gold cocktail picks to hold the fruit as a garnish.

Directions

In a cocktail shaker, combine vodka, orange liqueur and lychee puree with ice.

Shake for 15 seconds until icy cold.

Strain and pour into a martini glass and serve with lychee fruit as a garnish.

What is a lychee fruit?

A lychee is a tropical fruit native to south China. Lychees are very juicy with notes of floral. Imagine a grape with a slight rose flavor—that is the best way I can describe the flavor of lychee. They are delicious.

Lychee are an asian fruit and can be rare to find fresh lychee at many United States grocery stores. They do also grow in Hawaii and Florida. When you can’t find fresh lychee, we recommend canned lychee for this recipe.

Tips for Making

This drink is balanced, but not sweet. If you prefer more sweetness, add half an ounce to one ounce of simple syrup to this recipe before shaking. If you find the drink too sweet, add a squeeze of fresh lime juice before shaking. This will add a bit of tartness.
If you dislike vodka, I recommend replacing it with gin for a different take on this recipe.
If you want to add more color to your cocktail, you can garnish with an additional wedge of lime and an edible flower.You can also add garnish such as strawberry, fresh mint or watermelon balls.
Add a shot of elderflower liqueur to maximize the floral flavors.
You can store leftover lychee martinis in an airtight container for up to 48 hours. Shake with fresh ice before serving again.

More recipes you may like:

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a lychee taste like?

Moscow Mule Recipe – Love and Lemons

admin — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 10:08:19 +0000

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Learn how to make a Moscow mule! Served in an iconic copper mug, this classic cocktail is a refreshing combination of vodka, ginger beer, and lime.

Have you ever made a Moscow mule? Served in a copper mug, this cocktail looks fancy, but don’t be fooled. With just three ingredients—vodka, ginger beer, and fresh lime juice—this classic drink couldn’t be easier to make at home!

A Moscow mule is fizzy and refreshing, with a delicious gingery bite. I love sipping one on a warm summer evening or a crisp fall night. The combination of bright lime, warming ginger, and, well…being served in a mug makes it a great all-seasons drink.

I’m sharing my go-to Moscow mule recipe at the bottom of this post, with my best tips for making it and a little Moscow mule history along the way. I hope you enjoy!

History of the Moscow Mule

Despite its name, the Moscow mule isn’t a Russian cocktail. In fact, it likely originated in the United States—in Los Angeles, specifically—in the 1940s.

There are a few conflicting stories about how it came to be. One goes that the bartender of the Cock ‘n’ Bull Pub was trying to get rid of a stockpile of ginger beer and invented the drink to help it move. Another goes that a Russian woman named Sophie Berezinski was trying to sell her own copper mugs and teamed up with Jack Morgan, who had a proprietary ginger beer, and John Martin, a liquor distributor, to promote all three products in one cocktail.

Either way, this fizzy drink took off! It’s still one of the most popular cocktails in the US today.

Moscow Mule Ingredients

A classic Moscow mule consists of three simple ingredients:

Vodka – I like Tito’s, but feel free to use your favorite. For a fun variation, try a Kentucky mule. Just replace the vodka with bourbon!
Fresh lime juice – It gives this cocktail a bright, zesty kick. Make sure you use freshly squeezed lime juice. The bottled stuff doesn’t compare!
And ginger beer – Not ginger ale—good ginger beer is typically less sweet and has a deeper spicy ginger flavor. I personally love Fever Tree and Topo Chico ginger beer. Reed’s is a good option too.

Round it out with a handful of ice to keep your drink cool as you sip!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make a Moscow Mule

A Moscow mule has to be one of the easiest cocktails to make. No cocktail shaker or other special equipment required! Here’s how to do it:

Fill a Moscow mule mug (or a similar mug or glass) with ice.
Add the vodka and lime juice.
Top with the ginger beer, then taste and adjust. For a sweeter cocktail, add more ginger beer. For a brighter one, squeeze in more lime. Feel free to tweak the ratios until you find a balance of flavors you love!
Garnish with a lime wedge or lime wheel and serve.

That’s it!

A Quick Note on Copper Mugs

You might be wondering, “Do I have to serve this recipe in a copper mug?” The short answer is no, you don’t! The metal is supposed to keep the drink colder for longer, but in a pinch, another mug or regular cocktail glass will totally work here too.

And something to consider if you are using copper mugs—a few years ago, warnings came out about the safety of serving acidic food and drinks in copper dishes. If you love the look of the classic cup, use one lined with stainless steel or nickel so that harmful substances don’t leach into your drink.

More Classic Cocktail Recipes to Try

If you love this Moscow mule recipe, try one of these classic cocktails next:

Moscow Mule Cocktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Serves 1

Learn how to make a Moscow mule! This refreshing cocktail is easy to make with just 3 ingredients. I love it in the summertime or at the holidays—the ginger beer gives it a delicious warming flavor.

Ice
2 ounces vodka
½ ounce fresh lime juice
3 ounces ginger beer
Lime wheel, for garnish

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Fill a copper mug* or similar glass with ice. Add the vodka and lime juice and top with the ginger beer. Taste and adjust as desired.
Garnish with a lime wheel and serve.

*preferably one lined with stainless steel, see the blog post above

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Everything You Need to Make a Honey Deuce Cocktail

admin — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 19:01:56 +0000

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Welcome to 5 O’Clock Somewhere, a new series in which our network of culinary all-stars share their favorite drinks—along with everything you need to serve them in style.

The Honey Deuce is a marvel of modern marketing. Nineteen years ago, restauranteur and Grey Goose brand ambassador Nick Mautone (his resume includes time as the former managing partner of Gramercy Tavern and hospitality director at the Rainbow Room, among other bona fides) was tasked with dreaming up a signature cocktail for the US Open. For decades mint juleps have been must-haves for viewing the Kentucky Derby and anyone who’s anybody sips a Pimm’s cup at Wimbledon—and Grey Goose, it’s safe to assume, wanted to cement itself as a permanent part of the US Open experience.

As the story goes, inspiration struck Mautone when he was creating a fruity dessert for a dinner party he was hosting at his home in Hampton Bays (as one does). “I was at the kitchen counter making these honeydew melon balls and I just said to my wife, ‘Oh my God, these look like tennis balls,'” Mautone says. He borrowed the flavor profile from his dessert—berries, citrus, melon, and a hint of rosemary—added the required Grey Goose vodka, and, Voilà! The Honey Deuce.

Is it on the nose to serve a cocktail that literally looks like sporting equipment at a Grand Slam tournament? Absolutely. But lucky for Grey Goose and for tennis fans, the Honey Deuce is also delightful on the palate. What better to sip on a late summer afternoon or evening than, essentially, a spiked raspberry lemonade?

Millions agree, making the Honey Deuce a hit: According to Grey Goose, nearly 3 million have been sold since the drink’s debut in 2007, but the Deuce really hit its stride in 2024, with over 550,000 enjoyed during last year’s tournament alone.

But you don’t need to hoof it out to Queens to enjoy the drink. Below, Mautone shares the Honey Deuce’s official recipe, some ideas for snazzing it up, and all the gear you need to make and serve it at your US Open watch party.

The Honey Deuce

Ingredients:

1¼ oz Grey Goose vodka
3 oz fresh lemonade
½ oz raspberry liquor
3 honeydew melon balls (frozen) for garnish

Preparation:

Fill a highball glass with cubed ice
Add vodka, then top with lemonade and raspberry liqueur
Garnish with your melon balls on a skewer

The gear you need

Courtesy Grey Goose

Vodka and raspberry liqueur

One of the original stipulations for the cocktail was that it needed to feature Grey Goose’s flagship vodka, not any flavored varieties. You of course can sub in your vodka of choice, but why mess with an icon?

Highball glass

According to Mautone, “The simplest, easiest glass to use is a highball glass.” You can go chic with classic crystal, or choose kitsch with something more playful. “A couple of years ago I was hosting a US Open party and bought about 30 of the signature Honey Deuce glasses on eBay,” he says.

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Rum Punch – A Beautiful Mess

admin — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 18:27:07 +0000

You’ll love this classic, easy-to-make cocktail recipe. Rum Punch is a mix of light and dark rum and a blend of fresh fruit juices. The result is a boozy cocktail with bright flavor and sweetness. In this post, we’ll share the best variations and tips for making a Rum Punch cocktail at home or for a party.

Ingredients

Light Rum
Dark Rum
Pineapple Juice
Orange Juice
Lime Juice
Grenadine Choose store-bought or make your own homemade grenadine syrup.

How to Make

Begin by adding light and dark rum to a cocktail shaker that is half-filled with ice. Add fruit juices, lime juice and grenadine to the shaker.

Shake for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.

Strain into a hurricane glass over fresh ice.

Garnish with a slice or pineapple or a maraschino cherry.

Tips for Making

This recipe is flexible and can be mixed with only one kind of rum, different rums or different juices. Choose fresh juices for the best outcome.
Flavor Variations: Add a sprinkle of nutmeg or allspice to the top to enhance the tropical flavors, Try a dash of Angostura bitters to add depth to the recipe, swap the light rum for coconut rum (or any type of flavored rum) for added coconut flavor.
Garnish Ideas: In addition to the pineapple and maraschino cherry option we used, you can use orange slices, lemon wedges or a slice of lime as garnish.
For a sparkling variation try adding a splash or lemon-lime soda, club soda or ginger ale to the top of the completed cocktail.
What is the best rum? This recipe is flexible and forgiving. You don’t need to use high end rums, so the best rum for this recipe is likely the one you have on hand or a mid-priced option.
If you want added sweetness, try our homemade simple syrup.

More Rum Drinks to Try

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients are in Rum Punch?

Tom Collins Cocktail Recipe – Love and Lemons

admin — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 01:27:37 +0000

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This Tom Collins recipe is easy to make with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda. Served over ice, this classic cocktail is bright and refreshing.

It’s probably not surprising that I love a Tom Collins cocktail. This sparkling gin drink is only one step removed from homemade lemonade, after all.

Made with gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda, it’s bright, fizzy, and super refreshing. Plus, because it’s a long drink, meaning that the alcohol is mixed with a good amount of soda water, it’s not as strong as some other cocktails. This makes it perfect for sipping on a hot summer day.

If you’re new to making cocktails at home, I think this Tom Collins recipe is a great place to start. You don’t need any special equipment like a cocktail shaker or strainer, because this drink is traditionally stirred, not shaken. Plus, once you have gin and simple syrup on hand, you’ll be well on your way to making other gin cocktails too. Make this recipe first, and then add a gimlet or French 75 to your list to try next!

Tom Collins Ingredients

A classic Tom Collins cocktail has 4 basic ingredients:

Gin – According to Difford’s Guide, the Tom Collins cocktail likely originated in London in the 1800s, and it was first made with Old Tom gin (hence the “Tom” part of its name—the “Collins” part comes from the name of the man who popularized it, John Collins). These days, London Dry gin is the common choice for this drink, but I think you can use any type with a flavor profile you love. My go-to brands are Hendrick’s, St. George Botanivore, and Koval Dry Gin.
Fresh lemon juice – Freshly squeezed, please! Fresh juice will give this cocktail the best, brightest flavor. Bonus: If you have fresh lemons on hand, you can garnish your glass with a lemon slice.
Simple syrup – For sweetness. No need to buy this—homemade simple syrup is easy to make with equal parts sugar and water.
Club soda or sparkling water – It adds fizz to the cocktail and dilutes it into a lower-ABV, sip-able drink.

You’ll also need ice for serving, and—if you like—a maraschino cherry (or Luxardo cherry) for garnish. Optional, but fun!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make a Tom Collins Cocktail

I think a Tom Collins is one of the easiest cocktails to make.

Just stir together the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a collins glass, highball glass, or other tall glass.
Fill the glass with ice.
And top with sparkling water!

Stir gently, then taste and adjust before you add your garnishes. If you want a tangier cocktail, squeeze in some extra lemon juice. For a stronger, more herbal drink, add a little extra gin. Want it sweeter? Pour in some more simple syrup.

When you love the flavor, garnish with a lemon slice and/or cocktail cherry, and enjoy!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

More Cocktail Recipes to Try

If you love this Tom Collins recipe, try one of these refreshing cocktails next:

Tom Collins Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Serves 1

Learn how to make a Tom Collins cocktail! Made with gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda, this classic drink is like a fizzy gin lemonade. It’s traditionally served in a collins glass, but any tall glass will work here. The size of your glass will influence the amount of sparkling water you use, so make sure to taste and adjust before serving.

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In a tall glass, stir together the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Fill with ice, top with club soda, and gently stir again.
Garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry and serve.

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Gimlet Cocktail – Cookie and Kate

admin — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 05:44:42 +0000

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The gimlet is a classic cocktail that deserves more attention! Made with gin, lime juice and sweetened with simple syrup, it comes from the sour family of cocktails (my specialty). Save the elaborate cocktails with unrecognizable ingredients for ordering at fancy bars—a simple, citrusy, not-too-sweet cocktail at home is one of life’s simple pleasures.

The gimlet is light and bright, like a more casual version of a martini that you can sip slowly on a porch. I love a gimlet in the spring or summer—they’re fresh and just right. If you enjoy ordering a good gin cocktail or a margarita made with real lime juice, you will love a homemade gimlet.

Watch How to Make a Gimlet

Gimlet Ingredients

Gimlets are shaken cocktails made with three simple ingredients: gin, fresh lime juice and simple syrup. When I was a bartender after college, we served gimlets made with Rose’s sweetened lime juice, which tastes cloyingly sweet and artificial. A combination of fresh lime and simple syrup is far superior.

Some bartenders insist that gimlets must be made with homemade lime cordials, but I think a proper lime twist garnish is all you need. We all agree that gimlets must be shaken, not stirred. They’re best served ice-cold, which is why my instructions include chilling the glass before use.

The Best Gin for Gimlets

Plymouth gin is the traditional choice for a gimlet, and it’s a great one. If you’re ever bothered by the level of juniper flavor in London dry gin like Tanqueray, you’ll appreciate having Plymouth gin in your liquor cabinet. It’s less dry and more well-rounded.

I also love to use Hendrick’s gin in my gimlets. Its unique flavors of cucumber and rose petals mingle nicely with the fresh lime, which is why I used Hendrick’s in these photos.

Don’t hesitate to use London dry gin in your gimlet for good results, if that’s what you have at home. Beefeater or Fords are good options.

Gimlet Variations

Now we’re talking! Gimlets lend themselves well to fresh additions. You can find a few of them on my blog already. Check out my Basil Gimlet, Cucumber Elderflower Gimlet and Cucumber Mint Gimlet.

Here are some options to try. You can mix them freely with great results.

Fresh basil

Try adding 8 medium basil leaves to your cocktail shaker.

Fresh mint

Add up to 10 fresh mint leaves to your shaker. This is called a Southside cocktail.

Cucumber

Add one 2-inch slice of peeled cucumber, halved and then quartered. This is called an Eastside cocktail.

Elderflower liqueur

Use St-Germain elderflower in place of the simple syrup for a delicate floral flavor. This version is called the “French Gimlet.” St-Germain is less sweet than simple syrup, so you’ll need to use just over 1 ounce of St-Germain to keep the sweetness level balanced.

Honey simple syrup

For more complex flavors, use the same amount of honey simple syrup as you would regular simple syrup. Choose a light-colored honey, like clover or orange blossom honey, for lovely floral flavors.

This version reminds me of the Bee’s Knees, a similar cocktail made with gin, lemon instead of lime, and honey simple syrup.

More Cocktails to Try

More Classic Gin Cocktails

I love a good gin cocktail. Here are a few more to check out:

More Citrusy Cocktails

These cocktails hail from the sour family like the gimlet:

Please let me know how your gimlet turns out in the comments. I love hearing from you and hope the gimlets are a hit at your next dinner party.

Gimlet Cocktail

The gimlet cocktail is a delightful combination of gin, fresh lime juice and simple syrup, served up with a twist of lime. Recipe yields 1 drink; you can mix up to 3 in a standard cocktail shaker at once.

Chill your coupe glass by filling it to the brim with ice and water. Set it aside while you prepare the cocktail.
Next, fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the gin, lime juice and simple syrup. Securely fasten the lid and shake the mixture for about 20 seconds, or until the outside of the shaker is absolutely ice cold.
Discard the ice water in your glass and gently shake out any stubborn water droplets. Strain the mixture into your prepared glass. Gently twist the lime peel over the drink to release the oils, then lightly draw it over the rim of the glass before dropping it in. Enjoy.

Notes

*To make simple syrup: Combine equal parts sugar (or honey) and water in a small saucepan or in a microwave-safe bowl. Warm over medium heat or in 30-second bursts in the microwave, whisking occasionally, just until the sweetener has fully dissolved into the water. Set it aside to cool before using. Leftover simple syrup will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

Gin recommendations: Plymouth gin is the most authentic choice and yields a great gimlet. I love Hendrick’s for its cucumber and floral notes. You could also use a London dry gin, like Beefeater or Fords.

Measurement tips: Two ounces is ¼ cup, 1 ounce is 2 tablespoons, and ½ ounce is 1 tablespoon.

Nutrition

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.

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Cocktail Recipe – Live Laugh Love Do

Lychee Martini – A Beautiful Mess

Ingredients in a Lychee Martini

Directions

What is a lychee fruit?

Tips for Making

More recipes you may like:

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a lychee taste like?

Moscow Mule Recipe – Love and Lemons

History of the Moscow Mule

Moscow Mule Ingredients

How to Make a Moscow Mule

A Quick Note on Copper Mugs

More Classic Cocktail Recipes to Try

Moscow Mule Cocktail

Everything You Need to Make a Honey Deuce Cocktail

The Honey Deuce

The gear you need

Vodka and raspberry liqueur

Highball glass

Rum Punch – A Beautiful Mess

Ingredients

How to Make

Tips for Making

More Rum Drinks to Try

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients are in Rum Punch?

Tom Collins Cocktail Recipe – Love and Lemons

Tom Collins Ingredients

How to Make a Tom Collins Cocktail

More Cocktail Recipes to Try

Tom Collins Recipe

Gimlet Cocktail – Cookie and Kate

Watch How to Make a Gimlet

Gimlet Ingredients

The Best Gin for Gimlets

Gimlet Variations

Fresh basil

Fresh mint

Cucumber

Elderflower liqueur

Honey simple syrup

More Cocktails to Try

More Classic Gin Cocktails

More Citrusy Cocktails

Gimlet Cocktail

Notes

Nutrition Show NutritionHide Nutrition

Nutrition