Bay Leaf Gin & Tonic

A Tom Collins is a classic cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and sparkling water. Combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice and shake until chilled. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a lemon wedge or cherry for the perfect finishing touch. To make a Tom Collins, you'll need a highball glass, shaker, measuring cup or jigger, and strainer. It's a refreshing and easy-to-make drink that's perfect for any occasion.

The Martini is, along with the Manhattan, probably the epitome of late 1800s classic cocktail-making. Wild myths of origins, simple preparation that highlights the bartender's craft, wonderful flavor and a healthy kick. Maybe it has its origin in a Martinez, maybe it has roots in a marketing campaign by vermouth company Martini. But it is certain it starts out being made with Italian (sweet) vermouth, and gin. In the early 1900s, it changes to French (dry) vermouth, which gets known as a dry martini. Then comes Churchill, Bond, and suddenly the 80's. The recipe stands for itself, but let us stress here that Espresso Martinis, Pornstar Martinis, and Breakfast Martinis are not martinis at all.

A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet, as the bard said. In the 1980s anything served in a stemmed triangular glass was a martini, and no one had the stomach for actual martinis. Hence comes Pornstar-, Breakfast and French martinis, and of course, the star of the show, the Espresso Martini. Technically a dessert cocktail more related to a shaken Black Russian, it has become a staple at any bar worth its salt for the last 30 years.