It goes without saying, I love a great cocktail – but I love classic cocktails even more!  My friend Nikole and I vowed that this year we would drink nothing but classic cocktails; drinks without all the extra sugary stuff.  

My summer cocktail has been a gin & tonic; to beat the heat, check out my gin & tonic granita.

Another favorite classic cocktail is a Sidecar.  I always feel sexy and mysterious drinking them.  For a more modern way to make a sidecar try this recipe:

Sparkling Pear Sidecar (makes 1)

ice
2 oz pear brandy
1 oz triple sec
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp sugar
splash club soda

– add all ingredients (except club soda) to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.

– rub the rim of a cocktail glass with a lime peel and press the rim in a small plate of sugar

– strain drink into cocktail glass.  Add the club soda

Other classic cocktails to try:

– Vodka or gin martini
– Manhattan
– Old Fashioned
– Tom Collins 

Yum!  Happy Friday!

Photo credit {happy hour; cointreau}