Out of the Way Cocktail Hour

For those who enjoy the occasional cocktail while lazing by the beach or a wild Friday night of partying at the hippest beach bar in town. Or for those at home who, just want to create their own version of their favorite weekend drink, this article is for you. I've included some of the best recipes for some of the most awesome drinks I've tried in my lifetime. In my quest for the perfect cocktail, I've come across several that have just about knocked my socks off. One of those would have to be the Dark N Extra Stormy cocktail I tried one Saturday night in Chicago after watching the Cubs defeat the Braves in a 10 inning game. It was made at the Windy City Latin Restaurant by Chef Miquel.

To recreate your own version of this spicy and thrilling cocktail you'll need:

5 slices of fresh ginger
½ a quartered lime
1 oz simple syrup
El Yucateco green chili habanero sauce
1.5 oz dark run
Club soda
Candied ginger

In a pint glass mix the ginger, lime, simple syrup and a few dashes of the chili sauce.
Add rum. Fill glass with ice. Top with club soda, and stir. Garnish with lime and candied ginger. You are now ready to enjoy this spicy but delicious drink straight from Chicago.

One of my absolute favorite drinks was served to me at a bar in Santa Monica. Its called the Cucumber Gimlet and is a light, summery cocktail, just perfect for those hot California afternoons. This drink is named after the famed Russian immigrant movie director Ernst Lubitsch.

To recreate this popular favorite you will need:

3 oz of potato vodka
4 slices of seedless cucumber
½ oz fresh lime juice
A spoonful of sugar

Combine all ingredients. Shake. Serve in a tall glass garnished with a cucumber or a lime wedge.
Enjoy!

Another popular drink at Mccoys in Kansas City, is the Fish Bowl.
This is a drink that should be served in a large fish bowl with 4 straws and shared by 4 people simultaneously, it's just more fun that way. To make this unique and delicious drink you will need:

½ cup nerds candy
½ gallon goldfish bowl
5 oz vodka
5 oz Malibu rum
3 oz Blue Curacao
6 oz sweet and sour mix
16 oz pineapple juice
16 oz sprite
3 slices each; lemon, lime and orange
4 Swedish gummy fish

Sprinkle nerds in bowl like 'gravel'. fill the fishbowl with ice. Add the rest of the ingredients. Serve with long straws for lots of fun and deliciousness.

A favorite of the islands is the Fountain Of Youth, this drink is a testament to Ponce De Leon's claim that he found the fountain of youth in St. Augustine. To make this colorful and delicious recreation you'll need :

2 oz veev acai spirit
3 oz pure cocoanut water
¾ oz passion fruit puree
1 cherry, 1 lemon, 1 lime and 1 orange.

Combine first 3 ingredients in a mixing glass. Shake and strain over fresh ice. Add cherry and citrus slices. Top with fresh mint and an umbrella.

These are some of my favorite alcoholic drinks from across the world. Try some of these wonderful and delicious one-of-a-kind recipes for a refreshing cocktail change. To get these and more cocktail recipes online visit www.alcoholdrinks.com or www.allrecipes.com.