Bottle Your Signature Cocktail

Negroni

*

* 10 oz Campari

* 10 oz Gin

* 10 oz Sweet Vermouth

* 2 oz Water

Manhattan

*

* 12 oz Rye Whiskey

* 6 oz Sweet Vermouth

* 5 oz Water

* 12 dashes Angostura bitters

Martini

*

* 15 oz Gin

* 4 oz Dry Vermouth

* 5 oz Water

A gentleman should always have a simple signature cocktail. One he can order when out, but more importantly, make for himself and his guests at home. And when our resident cocktail expert introduced us to the notion of bottling your go-to drink, we were hooked. A spirits-only cocktail will keep, he explained, so why not mix up a batch, pour it into a decanter to sit and wait for when you want a nip? Brilliant. It takes all the stress and mess out of mixing drinks.

The secret to a great bottled cocktail? A little water. Because when bartenders stir or shake drinks over ice, they dilute the alcohol ever so slightly. A little bit of water will open up the spirits and soften that alcoholic kick. So save space on your home bar and save yourself some time because that premixed negroni is every bit as tasty as one made to order.