Ready-made cocktails make it easy to enjoy iconic drinks at home or at a party, but unfortunately the quality often leaves much to be desired. But what if we told you that you could pour the quality from the on-trade straight from the bottle into your glass for you and your friends?
Enter Don Corleone, ready-made artisan cocktails and mocktails: composed with pure ingredients and according to their own recipes, from Diepenbeek in Limburg.
Lazy Red Cheeks
Origin: This cocktail saw the light of day in Antwerp in 2004, created by bartenders Ben Belmans and Manuel Wouters. It grew to become a favourite in the Belgian catering industry, especially in cocktail bar SIPS. The name refers to the pinkish blush you get from this velvety creation.
Fact: The combination of raspberry and violets makes this a strikingly floral, almost perfume-like cocktail - one of a kind.
Key ingredients: Vodka, violet syrup, raspberry, lime juice.
Flavour: Softly fruity and slightly floral, with a fresh citrus note.
Sex On The Beach
Origin: This cocktail originated in Florida in the 1980s, presumably as a promotional stunt for a peach liqueur. It became wildly popular during Spring Break parties. The striking name was meant to attract attention - and it succeeded.
Fact: Despite the playful name, it is a surprisingly well-balanced cocktail with wide crowd favourites.
Key ingredients: Vodka, peach liqueur, orange juice, cranberry juice.
Flavour: Tropical and fruity, with a sweet and sour balance.
Mojito
Origin: The Mojito has its roots in Cuba and is said to have originated as early as the 16th century as a medicinal mix of aguardiente, mint and lime. It later became a popular rum cocktail in Havana's bars. Writer Ernest Hemingway contributed to its worldwide fame.
Fact: The original name was probably "El Draque", named after the English pirate Francis Drake.
Main ingredients: White rum, mint, lime juice, sugar, sparkling water.
Flavour: Refreshing and spicy, with a fine citrus kick.
Pornstar Martini
Origin: Conceived in 2002 at London's Townhouse Bar by bartender Douglas Ankrah. He wanted to create a cocktail that was sensual, tropical and seductive - hence the name.
Fact: Often served with a shot of prosecco separately, meant to refresh your taste buds between sips.
Key ingredients: Vanilla vodka, passion fruit liqueur, lime juice, sugar, passion fruit, prosecco.
Flavour: Tropical and sweet, with fresh acidity and a hint of luxury.
Amaretto Sour
Origin: This cocktail emerged in the 1970s as a more accessible version of the whiskey sour, especially loved by those who like smooth, sweet flavours.
Fact: The addition of egg white gives you a nice foam and velvety texture - a real bartrick.
Key ingredients: Amaretto, lemon juice, sugar syrup (possibly egg white).
Flavour: Sweet, slightly sour and nutty, with a creamy finish.
Dark 'n Stormy
Origin: Originated after WWI in Bermuda, when British sailors mixed local ginger beer with black rum from the local Gosling's distillery. The dark foam on top would resemble an impending stormy sky, hence the name.
Fact: Only cocktails with Gosling's rum can officially be called "Dark 'n Stormy" - the brand has protected the name.
Key ingredients: Dark rum, ginger beer, lime.
Flavour: Spicy, tangy and refreshing, with deep rum notes.
Mai Tai
Origin: Conceived in California in the 1940s, probably by Victor "Trader Vic" Bergeron. When he served the cocktail to Tahitian guests, they are said to have shouted "Mai Tai Roa Ae!" - meaning "the very best".
Fact: There is a fierce dispute between Trader Vic and Don the Beachcomber over who really made it first.
Key ingredients: Rum, orange liqueur, lime juice, orgeat (almond syrup).
Flavour: Rich and tropical, with citrus and a soft nutty note.
Negroni
Origin: In 1919, at a bar in Florence, Count Camillo Negroni asked to make his favourite Americano a little stronger - by replacing the soda with gin. The barman also gave him an orange slice instead of lemon, and the Negroni was born.
Fact: The cocktail is enjoying a major revival, and is now one of the most widely served aperitifs in the world.
Main ingredients: Gin, red vermouth, Campari.
Flavour: Bitter and powerful, with spicy depth - ideal as an aperitif.
Whiskey Sour
Origin: This cocktail surfaced as early as the 19th century in bartender guides and was popular with sailors, who used citrus against scurvy. Later, it became a fixture in cocktail bars.
Fact: Its simple formula - strong drink, sour and sweet - is the basis of dozens of other "sours".
Main ingredients: Whiskey, lemon juice, sugar syrup (possibly egg white).
Flavour: Fresh and sour, with warm whiskey notes and creaminess.
Gin Basil Smash
Origin: A modern classic, created in 2008 at Hamburg's Le Lion bar. Bartender Jörg Meyer combined gin with basil - a bold but successful move.
Fact: Muddling the green herb in lemon juice releases its full aroma, making for a surprisingly fresh cocktail.
Key ingredients: Gin, basil, lemon juice, sugar.
Flavour: Fresh and aromatic, with a spicy kick.
Spicy Mango Margarita
Origin: A spicy twist on the classic Margarita, originated in Mexico and became popular in Southern California and at food truck festivals.
Fact: Chili and mango are a popular combination in Mexican cuisine - including in drink form.
Key ingredients: Tequila, mango puree or juice, lime juice, chilli or jalapeño.
Flavour: Tropical sweet with a spicy, refreshing twist.
Strawberry Mojito
Origin: This summer variation on the Mojito popped up in beach bars and festivals, as a playful alternative to the classic version.
Fact: Fresh strawberries not only add flavour, but also the cheerful pink colour.
Key ingredients: White rum, strawberry, mint, lime juice, sparkling water.
Flavour: Fresh, fruity and slightly sweet, with mint and citrus in the background.
Moscow Mule
Origin: The Moscow Mule was created in Los Angeles in 1941 as a clever collaboration between a vodka brand (Smirnoff) and a ginger beer distributor. Both struggled to market their products until they combined them into a copper-coloured cocktail that quickly gained popularity.
Fact: The cocktail is traditionally served in a copper mug - not only for looks, but also because copper keeps the drink wonderfully cool.
Key ingredients: Vodka, ginger beer, lime juice.
Flavour: Powerful and fresh, with tangy ginger and citrus.
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