Non-traditional Cocktails, Part 1

This week's Mixology Monday is part one of a series from David Rudd, Wine Supervisor of our Woodbridge location. Today we look at some non-traditional cocktails.

I often think of cocktails as having a very strict composition... and usually it includes some kind of distilled liquor.  However, this is not a rule; it's only my own preconceived notion.  I decided to think outside the box and dream up some recipes that use "non-traditional" spirits as the base.  This first installment will focus on some cocktails based on various wines. 

Equinoxa
2 oz. Port wine
1 oz. Grand Marnier™
½ oz. Di Saronno™ Amaretto liqueur

Build in an iced glass, stir.

Diego
1 oz. tawny Port wine
¾ oz. dry vermouth
1 dash of fresh lemon juice
1 twist of lemon peel as a garnish

In an iced cocktail shaker, stir well and strain into a chilled martini glass.  Garnish with a twist.

Pan-STARRS
2 oz. Zardetto™ Zeta prosecco
2 oz. Tomasello™ Cranberry Atlantic wine
2 oz. Orange juice

In an iced glass, combine wines and juice.  Garnish with a sliced orange wheel.

Rosette
1 ½ oz Hendrick's™ gin
2 ½ oz. Wolffer Estate Rose wine
Pink lemonade

Build in an iced glass, stir.

One Night In...
3 oz. La Spinetta™ Moscato D'Asti wine
1 oz. Three Olives Vanilla vodka
1 oz. white grape juice

Build in an iced glass, stir very gently.

Subtropical Screwdriver
3 oz. St. Michel-Eppan Pinot Grigio
1 oz. Finlandia™ Mango vodka
1 oz. orange juice

Build in an iced glass, stir.

Marooned
1 bottle Don Q™ silver rum
1 bottle Laila Rosso Piceno
7 oz. Rose’s Sweetened Lime juice
5 oz. triple sec
7 oz. simple syrup
2 limes sliced into wheels
½ pint of Hennessy™

Mix all ingredients together in a punch bowl and let sit overnight, refrigerated.