I’m a big fan of cocktail hour and always have been. And despite always loving it, I must admit the good old cocktail hour has experienced a recent renaissance in my home.
For me, the concept of “cocktail hour” evokes images of American Wasps, in their white cable-knit sweaters and pearls, gathering in the parlour for a tipple after a day of tennis. They use cocktail hour as a mild sedative, and to mask a magnitude of sordid family dramas.
I love cocktail hour simply for the sophistication of it all.
Essentially, Cocktail Hour is like Happy Hour, but with a far more glamorous twist. In my younger days, I would sometimes hit a local bar or pub after a gruelling day at work or uni for a few celebratory drinks. These days, I find it much classier to invite a few special friends over to my house for Cocktail Hour. We dress up, we sip on icy elixirs and we share our news and views. It’s a nice, unusual way to celebrate with people and a lovely alternative to the dinner catch up. And much more budget friendly than going to a bar (a la Sex and the City).
You will need the following:
- A well stocked bar. Essentials currently in my bar include Gin, Vodka (I always keep a bottle in the freezer), Lemon, Olives, Ice, Vermouth, Tonic Water, Sparkling Water, Wild Hibiscus flowers (for a simple champagne cocktail). Basic, but covers my needs (can you tell I'm a martini drinker?!)
- Crystal clean cocktail glasses – these can come in an array of shapes and sizes, but I think the very best by far is the classic martini glass. It screams “cocktails”! Make sure you clean them well – there is nothing worse than smudgy glasses.
- A “cocktail kit” – with things like shakers, stirrers, toothpicks, swizzle sticks and novelty umbrellas (should the mood strike)
- A suitable soundtrack – I create play lists on my iPod for particular occasions. I like to keep my cocktail hour soundtrack mellow and cool – just like my cocktails.
- A freezer laden with ice – cubed and crushed.
- Appropriate cocktail attire, like a cocktail dress (obviously). Team with a pair of high heels and a string of pearls, and you’ll fit the part the part of "wasp" in no time.
Cocktail Hour traditionally starts at 5pm... I usually find 6pm more realistic though. It allows flexibility to get home from work and freshen up. And the later the hour, the more acceptable it feels to drink hard spirits.
I firmly recommend starting your own Cocktail Hour. Everyone enjoys it and it is a lovely tradition, and event, to become famous for amongst your circle of friends.
My favourite cocktail, particularly as we slowly enter the winter months, is a martini. I love the romance and the history of martinis. H. L. Mencken (An American writer/linguist/journalist) once called the martini "the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet" – how romantic. E. B. White (of Charlotte’s Web fame) called it "the elixir of quietude" – how poetic.
I like a classic gin martini and while I could wax lyrical about it all day, I have to say I also enjoy some of the delicious martini variations that offer a completely different flavour and experience.
The Perfect Martini
My idea of a perfect martini is the classic gin martini: gin, a splash of vermouth (I like it quite dry) and olives (one as the general rule, three if you’re hungry). Always serve the olive on a toothpick. Exquisite!
The Vesper Martini
This is zesty and refreshing. It was coined by ‘James Bond’ in Ian Flemings original novel, Casino Royal (and of course later the film, starring Daniel Craig). It’s a favourite of mine and I’m sure will become a favourite of yours too! It features Kina Lillet – which can be a little tricky to find in Australia. Specialty alcohol stores should have it, otherwise search it on the web.
Ingredients and directions (as told by James Bond in Flemings Casino Royale):
"A dry martini," Bond said. "One. In a deep champagne goblet."
"Oui, monsieur."
"Just a moment. Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel. Got it?"
"Certainly, monsieur." The barman seemed pleased with the idea.
"Gosh, that's certainly a drink," said Leiter.
Bond laughed. "When I'm...er...concentrating," he explained, "I never have more than one drink before dinner. But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold and very well-made. I hate small portions of anything, particularly when they taste bad. This drink's my own invention. I'm going to patent it when I can think of a good name."
Appletini (Or Apple Martini)
A completely different take on the classic martini, an Appletini is light, fruity and highly addictive. It’s a concotion of vodka, apple juice and sweet and sour mix, served with a slice of apple to garnish.
Of course martinis are only the tip of the ice cube when it comes to delicious cocktails out there. But I think they are a tasteful place to start.
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