Although messing up a drink recipe doesn’t sound like the best way to make a great tasting cocktail, one Italian drink proves that happy accidents are possible. A Negroni Sbagliato cocktail by Toronto bar D.W. Alexander is the perfect addition to a fun evening. This sparkling punch-like mixture has a nice, palatable taste that goes great at dinner parties. It’s a refreshingly light cocktail with a pleasant red color that can be garnished with an array of fresh fruits to make a beautiful springtime concoction. The recipe is quite simple:

Negroni Sbagliato Cocktail Recipe

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Ingredients

1oz Gin
1oz Sweet Vermouth
1oz Cava (or a similarly sweet sparkling white wine)
OPTIONAL: Fresh seasonal fruit (oranges, limes, grapefruits, etc.)
NOTE: To make a larger portion size which can be served to guests, you can add as much of each ingredient as needed, but always keep the portions equal. For example, if you use 5oz of Gin, you must use 5oz of the other two ingredients, etc.

Directions

1. Mix together Gin and Sweet Vermouth into a glass filled with ice. Stir them gently to combine. If you’re making a party size portion, you can use a punch bowl with ice in it.
2. If you plan to use fresh fruit garnishes, slice the fruit into wheels. Put the fruit slice(s) into your drink mixture.
3. Top the mixture with Cava sparkling wine. Stir briefly to combine. Garnish with a leftover fruit wheel of your choice.

Variations

The great thing about this cocktail is that you can easily “mess it up” further to make the flavor or appearance suit any occasion. Here are a few tasty variations to the Negroni Sbagliato cocktail:

1. You can make a lighter cocktail mix by nixing the Gin. Instead, use a light Campari in the equivalent amount. This is a popular substitution, and the red color of Campari adds a pleasing look to your glass.
2. Spice up your garnish by sprinkling fresh ground cinnamon on top of the entire punch bowl mixture. Wait until you have done all of the necessary stirring, so that the cinnamon will simply rest on top and add a touch of spice along with an attractive dusted appearance to the cocktail.
3. Change it up to add a bit of a kick to the recipe. Substitute good vodka for the Gin and you will end up with a Negroski cocktail. This is stronger and has a different flavor, but that might be what you prefer if you’re not a fan of Gin.

What cocktail recipes are you making this weekend?

Winter is almost over and spring is about to come with its freshness. It means lots of indoor and outdoor parties! Many of you might have been thinking of cold party drinks but this hot chocolate recipe is perfect for this time when there is still a chill in the air – neither freezing nor hot.

Party Drinks Ideas: Hot Chocolate with Coconuts

Image via: Diva Moms

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Ingredients

The preparation can be served to 4 persons

•    Half-and-half (3 cups)
•    Coconut milk or 2% milk (1 cup)
•    Coconut extract (1 tablespoon)
•    Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon)
•    Unsweetened cocoa powder (1/2 cup)
•    Kosher salt (1/2 teaspoon)
•    White sugar (1/2 cup)

For Decoration and Topping

•    Unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut (1/2 cup)
•    Marshmallows for topping
•    Whipped cream for topping
•    Frosting to rim the glasses or mugs

Image via: The Culinary Quest

Preparation

•    Put a saucepan over the stove at medium-high heat and whisk half-and-half, cocoa powder, milk, and sugar in it. Keep stirring until sugar and cocoa melt.
•    Cook for 5-10 minutes and remove the heat when the mixture starts to steam.
•    Stir in coconut extract, vanilla extract, and salt into the cocoa mixture.
•    Before serving, put a saucepan on the stove and set the heat at low. Add the shredded coconut into it and stir with a spoon. Toast until the coconut becomes golden.
•    Let them cool down and crush them to small flakes.
•    Take mugs or glasses and rim their edges with a bit of melted chocolate or some frosting. After that, gently press the coconut flakes on the rims.
•    Pour the mixture into mugs or glasses and dress up with marshmallows and whipped cream.

Image via: How Sweet Eats

Tips

This preparation may appear very rich and sweet to the taste of some people. In that case, reduce a bit of sugar and some half-and-half and add some extra milk. On the contrary, add a bit Kahlua, Baileys, or anything else if you want a richer and adult version of it. This party drink will be an instant hit in any party.

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