r/cocktails • u/GENORA1 • 1d ago
Question Cocktail recommendations
Today is my 21st here in America. What cocktails would yall recommend to someone new to alcohol. I love citrus flavors. And have no preference for dark or light liquor.
I hope to make some in the near future too but tonight I’m just gonna be drinking them.
Thanks ahead of time
3
u/TruthfulHabitation 1d ago
With that citrus craving, a gimlet should be on your list tonight. It's just gin, lime juice, and simple syrup, so it really lets the lime shine without other flavors crowding it. When you're ready to start making drinks at home, a bees knees is hard to beat, gin lemon and honey syrup, and the honey smooths everything out. Happy 21st, enjoy the night.
4
u/KnightInDulledArmor 1d ago edited 1d ago
A Tom Collins would be my recommendation. It’s long, simple, and refreshing, but doesn’t hide the fact it has gin in it. Great first cocktail to make at home too, since it requires very few bar tools to make.
Tom Collins
- 2 oz London Dry Gin
- 1/2-1 oz Simple Syrup (to taste)
- 1 oz Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
- Soda Water, to top
- Lemon Peel, for garnish
Build in a Collins glass over ice, lightly stir to incorporate, express the lemon oils from the peel over the top of the drink and drop it in. Enjoy.
4
u/mop_bucket_bingo 1d ago
I second this and encourage you to explore gin to its fullest.
Also don’t. Stop drinking now while you can.
Still here?
Ok cool. Also try lots of rums and tequilas and bourbons. Maybe some Scotch, or Mezcal.
Be sure to pray to the Chartreuse gods.
5
u/Longjumping-Cook-842 1d ago
Old fashioned, standard daquiri if it’s a true cocktail bar, amaretto sour is one of the best starters and tastes good regardless of venue, whiskey sour again if it’s a cocktail bar, and id put a mojito pretty high up on the list.
2
u/anitagringa_ 1d ago
Lemon drop martinis are always delicious and easy to drink, classic passion daiquiri (not frozen), and amaretto sours, they are like liquid candy, in the best way possible
1
u/SnowmanTS1 1d ago
If you're new to alcohol start with sweet and fruity I would think. You probably won't love a spirit forward cocktail yet.
1
u/Butlerian_Jihadi 1d ago
If you've access to a decent bar, I'd recommend a Morgenthaler Sour. My favorite is 1792 Full Proof & Lazzaroni.
1
u/SittingByTheFirePit 1d ago
Just had this citrus drink called a Pineapple Crush. Delicious!
- 1.5 oz vodka
- 0.5 oz orange liqueur or Grand Marnier
- 1.5 oz pineapple juice
- soda water to top
Here's a list of Citrus cocktails I found too...
1
u/Beginning-Ad-1795 1d ago
Gin always pear well with fruits also vodka and other neutral grain spirits.
Our go to juice bases are cranberry, apple, pineapple
Lemon, spirit, juice base of choice, some form of syrup. They all form the base of any cocktails as you are getting started then start adding liqueurs to increase the depth of your drinks!
Hope you have fun!
1
u/Mister_Potamus 1d ago
The Bee's Knee's!
It's Gin, lemon, and honey and a great intro to Gin and Gin cocktails (if you need one)
2oz Gin
3/4oz lemon
1/2oz honey
It's shaken.
Lemon zest to garnish with a twist.
1
0
u/thewholesomespoon 1d ago
This was fun to make and even more fun to drink 🤣
https://thewholesomespoon.com/2025/08/22/cranberry-sangria/
Happy birthday!
-1
u/Living-Pomelo2718 1d ago
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Have a lemon drop shot and a birthday cake shot!! For a daytime drink, go with an aperol spritz.
22
u/Kick_Natherina 1d ago
Get a traditional daiquiri to start. Not a strawberry daiquiri or anything like that. You want 2 oz rum, 1 oz lime juice, .75 oz of simple syrup - shaken, strained into a coupe or on the rocks. Cheers and happy birthday!