Country 102.5’s Favorite Cocktails

Thursday is National Cocktail Day, and we are feeling thirsty! We have asked Kruser, Ayla, Jonathan, and Jackson what their favorite drink is, and they did not disappoint. If you are looking for some cocktail inspiration, this is it. Sit back, relax, and pour yourself a drink! Whether you are in the mood for a classic Cosmopolitan or looking to make your night interesting with a Mai-Tai, here are some drink recipes just for you!

Kruser's favorite drink is a good old Cosmopolitan. Who doesn't love a good Cosmo!

INGREDIENTS:
(Makes 1 drink)

- 2 ounces (1/4) cup vodka
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) triple sec, Grand Marnier or Cointreau
- 3/4 ounce (1 tablespoon + 1 1/2 teaspoons) sweetened cranberry juice
- 1/4 to 1/2 ounce (1 1/2 teaspoons to 3 teaspoons) fresh lime juice
- One 2-inch orange peel/twist
- Ice

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add vodka, triple sec, cranberry juice, and lime juice. Use as much lime juice as desired for your own personal preference.
2. Shake it up and pour into martini glass
3. Garnish with an orange peel or twist
4. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE for full recipe

Ayla has two favorite cocktails: A Woodford Reserve old-fashioned (with a BIG) ice cube and a watermelon jalapeño margarita!

If you want to make yours like Alya, make sure you are using one BIG ice cube, and her favorite, Woodford Reserve bourbon whiskey.

INGREDIENTS:
(Makes 1 drink)

- 2 OZ. Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- 1/2 OZ Demerara Syrup
- 3 DASHES Woodford Reserve® Aromatic Bitters
- 2 DASHES Woodford Reserve® Orange Bitters
- Orange
- Ice

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Add ingredients to the mixing glass.
2. Add ice to mixing glass and serving glass.
3. Stir ingredients for 30-40 secs.
4. Strain into serving glass.
5. Garnish with a lightly expressed orange peel.

CLICK HERE for full recipe

INGREDIENTS:
(makes 1 drink)

- 2oz (1/4 cup) watermelon juice
- 2oz (1/4 cup) silver tequila
- 1oz (2 Tablespoons) fresh lime juice (1/2 lime)
- 1oz (2 Tablespoons) Jalapeno Simple Syrup
- fresh jalapeño slices

For the jalapeño simple syrup:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 jalapeno

Directions:

For the jalapeño Simple Syrup:
1. Add sugar and water to a small saucepan. For a less spicy syrup, remove ribs and seeds from jalapeño then add to the saucepan. (For a more spicy syrup, slice jalapeño then add - seeds and all - to the saucepan).
2. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, then cook until sugar is dissolved, 1-2 minutes. Remove pan from heat then let cool. (the longer the jalapeño stays in the syrup, the spicier it will be).
3. Strain syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a mason jar or container then chill. Can be done several days ahead of time.

4. Add watermelon juice, tequila, lime juice, and jalapeno simple syrup to a rocks or cocktail glass then stir to combine.
5. Fill glass to the top with ice then serve with fresh jalapeno slices. Alternatively, you could add the ingredients into a shaker, fill it halfway up with ice, then shake to chill.

CLICK HERE for full recipe

Back in the day Jackson used to love a good Mai Tai, but FRESH fruit juice is a must!

There are a few different ways to make a Mai Tai. Jackson loves his with fresh juice, so this is the recipe we went with!

INGREDIENTS:
(Makes 2 drinks)

- Ice
- 1/2 cup fresh pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 2 ounces light rum
- 1 ounce dark rum
- 1 ounce triple sec
- Juice of 1 lime
- Dash of grenadine
- Maraschino cherries, for serving
- Orange wheels for serving

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker 1/2 way with ice cubes.
2. Add the pineapple juice, orange juice, light rum, dark rum, triple sec, lime juice, and grenadine and shake for 20 seconds.
3. Strain drinks into 2 ice-filled glasses and garnish with maraschino cherries and an orange wheel.

CLICK HERE for full recipe