Hammer's cocktails

When I have friends over or there is a get together of some sort I am usually appointed bartender. Not sure why, except for the fact I'm the only one who can still function after any number of my concoctions.

Everyone has their own preference but I usually make three or four specific adult beverages when I entertain.

Here are some favorites.

Martini: 3oz Tanqueray gin 1 tiny splash of vermouth 1 Tbs olive juice all over crushed ice, shaken vigorously and strained into a large wide mouthed martini glass. served with two large olives

Hammer's lemonade: 2 oz lemon vodka, 1 oz lemon juice, 4 oz lemonade poured over crushed ice, garnished with a lemon slice served in a large tumbler and stirred well.

Cranberry cocktail: 2 oz gin or vodka 3 oz cranberry juice 3oz of lemon lime soda served over crushed ice in a large tumbler with a lemon wedge and stirred well

Michilada: 6oz Mexican beer usually pilsner 1tbs Tabasco 2 oz lime juice (bottled) 1 oz bloody mary mix 1 dash of celery salt, shake well serve with a celery stalk or a pickled green bean in a tall glass. Can be shaken and served with a little ice if desired.

(Can use spicy V8 in a pinch)

Salty dog: 2 oz Taqueray Gin 4oz canned ruby red grapefruit juice serve over crushed ice in a salt rimmed glass with a lime wedge.

I make many of these with diet soda and sugar free ingredients for those who are watching their carbohydrate intake.