Classic Cocktails & Bartending Tips

diaquiri recipe I drink mostly beer, wine, and straight whiskey on the rocks, but I do have a soft spot for some of the tried and true classic cocktails. To me a martini is gin, vermouth, and an olive with pimento. If I'm feeling crazy, I might have two olives. But not vodka, no anchovy or blue cheese, and certainly no chocolate or mint. I'm clearly stuck in the 20th century. But I am not alone.

John Mariani, Esquire Magazine's famous and infamous "restaurant guy" (he says he is not a critic), is regarded as picky, particular, and supremely knowledgeable. His reviews can put a struggling chef on the map and a declining business back on track. Likewise, an offhand snipe can put a restaurant under. He is powerful.

Mariani knows his wine, but he loves daiquiris, and he laments that, as simple as it is, so many bartenders louse it up. So he put the recipe on the back of his business card and gives it to his wait person when he orders a daiquiri. This does not endear him to bartenders, but it gets him a proper daiquiri. The daiquiri is a classic Puerto Rican rum creation, perfect for hot summer days. Here's the recipe from the back of restaurant critic John Mariani's business card. The italics are his.

John Mariani's Daiquiri Recipe

Ingredients
1 freshly squeezed lime
1 teaspoon sugar
2 ounces gold rum

Shake with ice, strain into Martini glass

Here are some other classic cocktail recipes

Here are some important bartending techniques

This page was revised 12/28/2010

Please please please read this before posting a comment or question:

1) Please use the table of contents or the search box at the top of every page before you ask for help.
2) Please click the "Follow Conversation" button or the "Email" button below your comment so you will be alerted when we reply.
3) Please don't ask any questions that involve temperature unless you tell us that you are using a digital thermometer! Dial thermometers are often off by as much as 50°F! If you are not using a good digital you have no idea what the temp really is so we can't help you. Please read this article about thermometers, then buy one of our recommendations, and then, if the problem persists (chances are it won't), hit us with your questions.
4) Please tell us everything we need to know to answer your question like the type of cooker you are using.

5) If you are shopping for a grill or smoker and need help, tell us your budget!

About this website

AmazingRibs.com is all about the science of barbecue, grilling, and outdoor cooking, with great BBQ recipes and tips on technique. Learn how to set up your grills and smokers properly, the thermodynamics of what happens when heat hits meat, as well as hundreds of excellent tested recipes including all the classics: Baby back ribs, spareribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, burgers, chicken, smoked turkey, lamb, steaks, barbecue sauces, rubs, and side dishes, with the world's best buying guide to barbecue smokers, grills, and accessories, all edited by Meathead.

Advertising on this site

AmazingRibs.com is far the most popular barbecue website in the world and one of the 50 most popular food websites in the US according to comScore and Quantcast. Visitors and pageviews increase rapidly every year. Click here for analytics and advertising info.