by Caroline Sumner

Created on: January 17, 2010

What really makes a cocktail stand out is the ingredients. Most particularly, a cocktail will be exponentially better if fresh fruit juice is used in place of canned juice, or especially in place of those 0% juice drinks! It takes an extra bit of effort, but that effort definitely pays off with that first sip of a perfectly created, freshly-made cocktail. If you want to experience true cocktail-induced nirvana, look no further. I have the recipes that will make you feel as though you are in heaven on earth!

HARLEM

Use fresh pineapple juice for this one. If you really want to go all out, press maraschino cherries to get the juice you need to add to this recipe!

INGREDIENTS

2 measures gin

1 1/2 measures fresh pineapple juice

1 teaspoon maraschino

1 tablespoon fresh pineapple, chopped

Pineapple leaf

DIRECTIONS

Shake the gin, pineapple juice, and maraschino over ice cubes. Add the chopped fresh pineapple and shake again until well frosted. Strain into a chilled lowball glass and garnish with the pineapple leaf.

PLANTER'S TEA

This is fine with store-bought juice, but it is incredible with the fresh-squeezed stuff!

INGREDIENTS

2 measures strong black tea

2 measures dark rum

1 1/2 cups fresh-squeezed orange juice

2/3 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Orange slices

Superfine sugar

DIRECTIONS

Mix the tea, dark rum, orange juice, and fresh lemon juice together. Heat gently, sweeten to taste, and serve in an Irish Coffee mug with the slices of orange.

CUBAN SPECIAL

This is a fantastic cocktail and certainly packs a punch. I have a really high tolerance and can still only have a couple before backing down, so drink with caution!

INGREDIENTS

2 measures rum

1 measure fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon fresh pineapple juice

1 teaspoon triple sec

Pineapple wedge

DIRECTIONS

Pour the rum, lime juice, pineapple juice, and triple sec over ice cubes and shake until well frosted. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and dress with the wedge of pineapple.

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