Flowers and breakfast in bed are great for Mom, but Dad is always a bit harder to shop for. These cocktail (and mocktail!) mixtures pair perfectly with quality time are sure to take your Father’s Day gift-giving up a notch!
Father’s Day for the Classic Gentleman: The Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is a staple of manly drinks and a commonly-ordered favorite at bars. Making the perfect Old Fashioned at home is sure to impress Dad.
The Old Fashioned is all about the whiskey, so choose accordingly. A little sleuth work will help you find Dad’s favorite variety, and although a traditional Old Fashioned calls for rye, bourbon will also work. Pair Dad’s whiskey of choice with bitters and sugars and you’ll have a perfect subtly sweet drink. And if it suits you, top it off with an orange peel or a cherry.
INGREDIENTS
¼ oz. Simple Syrup (or 1 tsp. Sugar dissolved in water)
2-3 splashes of bitters (try Angostura or Orange bitters)
2 in. Ice Cube
2 oz. Whiskey of choice
Orange peel or cherry, if desired
GLASS
Old Fashioned Glass
DIRECTIONS
Combine simple syrup (or sugar water) and bitters in an Old Fashioned glass. Stir. Add Ice Cube. Pour whiskey over the mix. Stir for up to 30 seconds. If desired, top off with orange peel or cherry. Enjoy!
For the 007 Dad: The Bond Martini
The Bond Martini is a powerful drink with very specific ingredients and very specific mixing instructions. Not only will he be impressed with your martini, Dad is sure to be impressed with your Bond knowledge.
This cocktail doesn’t leave a lot of room for improvisation, but it makes its way to the top of any must-try list for obvious reasons. Shocking. Positively shocking.
INGREDIENTS
3 oz Gordon’s gin
1 oz vodka
½ oz Lillet dry vermouth
Ice
Lemon peel
GLASS
Chilled Cocktail Glass
DIRECTIONS
Combine gin, vodka, vermouth and ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake well and pour into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with lemon peel. Enjoy!
For the Scotch man: The Sin Cyn
Scotch is a favorite liquor among many, but concocting the perfect cocktail can be a challenge. The Sin Cyn utilizes Cynar, an artichoke-based amaro liqueur, and makes for a wonderful Scotch cocktail…and a great Father’s Day treat for the Scotch-loving Dad.
INGREDIENTS
1 oz Cynar
1 oz sweet vermouth
1 oz Scotch
Orange peel
Ice, one 2 in. cube for serving and regular cubes for mixing
GLASS
Old Fashioned Glass
DIRECTIONS
Combine Cynar, vermouth and Scotch in an ice-filled glass. Stir well. Strain into serving glass over large ice cube. Top it off with an orange peel. Enjoy!
For the World Traveling: The Hemingway Daiquiri
Ernest Hemingway has captured the attention of readers for nearly a century, and this Hemingway Daiquiri is sure to leave an impression on any father figure. This recipe makes several servings.
INGREDIENTS
2 oz white rum
¾ oz fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz fresh lime juice
¼ oz maraschino liqueur
¼ oz simple syrup
Grapefruit or lime twist
GLASS
Cocktail Glass or Wine Glass
DIRECTIONS
Combine rum, grapefruit juice, lime juice, liqueur and simple syrup in a blender. Blend and pour into serving glass. Garnish and enjoy!
A Non-Alcoholic Take
Cocktails are a great move for many fathers, but not for all. Some men prefer to keep all their wits about them. These two tasty takes pack all the delight and none of the alcohol.
Tahitian Coffee for Father’s Day
INGREDIENTS
2 oz fresh lime juice
2 oz orange juice
1 oz simple syrup
1 oz passion fruit purée
2 oz guava purée
2 oz cold brew concentrate
3 oz honey syrup (3 parts honey and 1 part hot water, cooled)
16 oz ice
GLASS
Pint Glass
DIRECTIONS
Combine lime juice, orange juice, simple syrup, passion fruit purée, guava purée, cold brew concentrate, honey syrup and ice in a blender. Blend and serve in 16 oz pint glass. Enjoy!
Mango Mule
INGREDIENTS
4-5 cucumber slices
1 oz honey syrup (3 parts honey and 1 part hot water, cooled)
1.5 oz mango purée
1.5 oz fresh lime juice
1.5 oz ginger beer
Ice
GLASS
Copper Mug
DIRECTIONS
Crush cucumber with honey syrup in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, then add mango purée, fresh lime juice and ice. Shake well for 10 seconds. Strain into copper mug and add ginger beer, stirring gently to mix. Enjoy!
Try these mixtures this Father’s Day and make your old man a happy man!