Sometimes known as the “Balance,” depending on the type of mixer and use, mixers are usually the non-alcoholic component of a cocktail. Sometimes, the mixer is meant to create the entire flavor of a beverage; other times, to subtly complement the other ingredients, in order to make the perfect blend.

Sweet Mixers:

• Grenadine
• Rose’s Lime Juice
• Maraschino Syrup
• Simple Syrup (MUCH better than sugar: blends better and has a smoother taste.)

Mixers (known to bartenders as the “Balance”):

• Club Soda/Soda Water (they’re exactly the same thing)
• Cola
• Tonic Water
• Ginger Ale
• Orange Juice
• Pineapple Juice
• Tomato Juice (V8 is fine, too)
• Cranberry Juice
• Sprite/Sierra Mist/Whatever brand you prefer

Garnishes are important because they add a little bit of flair and character to the drink. They also add a little bit of flair and character to the bartender, which is why we learn how to garnish drinks. It may sound silly, but there’s something a little more dignified about drinking a fancy, dressed up drink; as opposed to trying to sip a martini from a dixie cup.

Fruits, etc:

• Lemons
• Maraschino Cherries
• Olives
• Limes
• Oranges
• Pineapple Slices (if you’re serving pina coladas.)
• Mint Sprig
• Carrot Sticks
• Pearl Onions
• Celery Stalk (with the leaves attached; used in Bloody Mary drinks)

Seasonings:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Angostura Bitters
• Tabasco Sauce
• Sugar
• Nutmeg (grated)
• Cinnamon

Decoration:

• Paper Parasol (umbrella)
• Swizzle Sticks (can be found in the shapes of straws, swords, spears and everything else that’s pointy)
• Candles
• Bead Necklace (Mardi Gras and Carnival themed parties)
• Flags (as in, real flags of a country)
• “Flags” (made by skewering half an orange slice and a maraschino cherry, then hanging over the side of the glass)
• Straws (of course)
• Sparklers (these go over well at New Year’s or Independence Day)
• Toy Animals
• Fire! (Yeah, seriously – some drinks are lit on fire before served.)

Apparently, we were having some issues with posting. We fixed it though; and we’re back on track to have regular daily posts starting tomorrow. Sorry about that, folks. We still think you’re awesome.

I could go through several of the different varieties of chocolate martinis out there, but I won’t. I’m less concerned with stretching out this site’s content over time and more concerned with showing you the best tasting and most memorable drink recipes out there right now. With this in mind, I forego all other chocolate martini recipes, and bring you this – the Ultimate Chocolate Martini.

This is THE dessert drink for the end of the week, especiallly when you want to unwind, relax, and have something sweet, chocolately and, of course, with a little bit of kick to it, to take the edge off. Ease into your weekend after treating yourself to a nice dinner with this drink – but remember – it won’t taste like it at all, but this is pretty much all alcohol here, so don’t unwind too much! Be easy, and drink responsibly.

Underground’s Ultimate Chocolate Martini – Recipe

• 1 oz. Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
• 1 oz. Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
• 0.5 oz. Kahlua®
• 0.5 oz. Bailey’s Irish Creme
• 0.5 oz. Vanilla Vodka (Stoli® Vanil vodka works best here)
• 0.5 oz Half and Half
• Chocolate Syrup

Chill your glass(es). Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Instead of a garnish, drizzle chocolate syrup along the inside of your chilled martini glass. Strain into glass, and serve.

(P.S.: With all of the high quality ingredients in this drink, the temptation is ever-present to substitute one of these items for a cheaper brand. For instance, instead of Godiva liqueur, you may consider plain ol’ creme de cacao; instead of Stoli Vanil, you may be considering Absolut Vanilla. Don’t do it! Trust me on this one; once you’ve had this cocktail, with these particular ingredients, you’ll never look back. In fact, once you’ve had Underground’s Ultimate Chocolate Martini, every other chocolate martini you have that isn’t made the “Underground Way” will taste like a liquid insult. Treat yourself to the good stuff; you deserve it. )

Star Lite; Star Brite. This martini’s all-right.

There are very few alcoholic drinks that actually make your stomach feel better than it did before, but this one pretty much calms the tummy down. This isn’t really the kind of thing you can do several rounds of – that is, unless you REALLY like peppermint – but it’s a cute, tasty drink that is perfect for the person who likes to try something different every now and then. Enjoy.

Peppermint Martini – Recipe:

No, not THAT Berry!

A lot of the martini style drinks are, in fact, very different in nature from the classic formula. For one, many of them are shaken, when martinis are strictly stirred (unless you’re a British secret agent.) Secondly, most of the new, trendy martini variations are sweet, as opposed to the crisp, astringent taste of the original.  Which variety you like, of course, is a matter of preference. Here’s a drink that has the strength of a martini, but the taste of an ice cold fruit juice beverage. This recipe is a little bit brand specific. This is because there aren’t many alternatives to these particular varieties of liquor and liqueurs; it couldn’t be helped.

Berry Fusion Martini – Recipe:

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker half to three-quarters filled with ice cubes. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini or cocktail glass. Garnish with raspberry, blueberry or cherry placed inside the glass.

Thanks to the ladies above this sentence, there isn’t a bartender alive who doesn’t know how to make a Cosmopolitan. Sex and the City helped popularize the Cosmo, due in large part to scenes like this. I don’t even like the drink, and I can probably make one blindfolded. And now, you’ll find out how to make Cosmos as well.

Cosmopolitan – Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Citron Vodka
• 0.5 oz Cointreau
• 0.5 oz Cranberry Juice
• Balance Rose’s Lime Juice
• lemon twist or lime wedge for garnish

Preparation:

• Pour the ingedients into a mixing glass with ice cubes.
• Stir well.
• Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish and serve.

David A. Embury’s classic book The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks refers to the Manhattan as one of the six basic drinks. It has also been called “The Drinking Man’s Cocktail” because it’s strong, simple and it tastes great.

Like the Martini, this drink also dates back to the 19th century. It is storied to have been invented by a bartender at a bar on Broadway and Houston Street (in Manhattan, New York) in the 1860s. Personally, this is my favorite drink. A note here: traditionally, a Manhattan is made with rye whiskey; however, I prefer Canadian whiskey, simply because it tastes better. Some people also use bourbon, which is also great. My favorite whiskey for Manhattans is actually Gentleman Jack, but I’ll use Canadian whiskey so as to not make this too brand-specific.

Manhattan – Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2.5 oz Canadian whiskey
• 0.5 oz sweet vermouth
• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
• maraschino cherry for garnish

Preparation:

• Pour the ingedients into a mixing glass with ice cubes.
• Stir well.
• Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
• Garnish with the cherry.

This is one of the most popular martini style drinks around right now. Which is no big surprise; anybody who’s ever had an apple martini (or appletini) knows that they’re the right combination of “absolutely delicious” and “you’ll get fucked up.”

This particular recipe is the best around; I say that, of course, because it’s my recipe. I’ve had people hire me to work their parties regularly just to make this drink. For years, I didn’t tell anybody about my particular formula, but I guess today, the jig is up. Enjoy.

The “Underground” Appletini – Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. Vodka
• 1.5 oz. Green Apple Schnapps
• .5oz Triple Sec
• Splash of Rose’s Lime Juice
• 1 Maraschino Cherry

Instructions:

Chill the martini glass before mixing. Pour the ingredients into a shaker with ice cubes. Shake well. Place a cherry into the martini glass, then strain into the glass. Serve and/or enjoy.