The Craft of the Cocktail: Entertaining Guests in the Summertime

Cocktails, much like fashion, are ever evolving, pullingfrom the past and reinventing themselves for the present. As with fashion and decor, there are trends and there are theclassics thatnever fall from grace. We can always rely on the elegance and sophistication of the Martini, Gin & Tonic, Bellini and the Margarita. Today’s cocktails, while greatly influenced by their stylish predecessors, often incorporate anelement of surprise, utilizing the familiar and sometimes forgotten, infusing them with new ingredients.Liqueurs such as Lillet and Agnostura are enjoying a new found popularity and St. Germain, a relative newcomer (though elderflower liqueur has widely been used in Europe for years) seems to be the darling of them all.Cocktails are now sophisticated, creative works of art designed by mixologists adept at selectingherbs, spices and flavors one might not typicallyconsider.Cocktails have indeed become an art form, a craft. TheMixologist is the Chef of the drink – constantly infus...