Pour Decisions: 100 Cocktails Inspired by Your Ex - Sample by cidermillpress

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First Edition

100 cocktails inspired by your ex

INTRODUCTION

Love is a cocktail: intoxicating, unpredictable, and liable to make you feel terrible afterward if you’re not careful. This book is a toast to the ones who broke our hearts, lit our phones on fire, or simply disappeared mid-brunch with no explanation. We’ve all had at least one—that ex. Maybe they were charming in public and chaos in private. Maybe they ghosted you after introducing you to their mother. Or maybe they just weren’t worth your considerable time and effort.

We’re here to help you move on—because nothing says healing like mixing the perfect cocktail while muttering their name under your breath. From tequila-fueled disasters to whiskey-fueled nostalgia, we’ve turned every emotional train wreck into something worth sipping. These drinks aren’t just recipes; they’re revenge fantasies in a glass. They’re the spicy comebacks you wish you’d delivered and the closure you never got—but way more fun and significantly more garnished.

So whether you’re drinking to forget, drinking to remember, or just here to enjoy a good cocktail, welcome. You’ve found the ultimate breakup bar cart. Here’s to the ones who taught us what we don’t want—and to the spirits that helped us survive them.

SELECTING YOUR SPIRITS

Let’s get one thing straight: If you won’t settle for less in your dating life, your liquor shelf should be no different. Sure, heartbreak may have left you emotionally bankrupt, but that doesn’t mean your cocktails have to taste like regret and rubbing alcohol. Quality matters—because the only thing worse than crying into a drink is crying into a bad one. Whether you’re mixing for friends or just for yourself on a Tuesday night, your spirits deserve to be as bold, complex, and well-chosen as your next rebound.

That said, we get it—sometimes your wallet’s feeling as empty as your DMs. If you’re on a budget, vodka’s your best bet; it will rarely betray you when you go bottom shelf. Cheap gin is basically a botanical betrayal, and bad whiskey? That’s regret waiting to happen. But remember: “Inexpensive” isn’t the same as “undrinkable.” There are some solid go-to bottles out there that won’t cost you your dignity or your taste buds. See our list here for some ideas! And keep an eye on your local distilleries; they just might surprise you with something special.

VODKA

BUDGET: SVEDKA

CLASSIC: SKYY

PERFECT: GREY GOOSE

RUM

BUDGET: BACARDI

CLASSIC: CAPTAIN MORGAN

PERFECT: EL DORADO

GIN

BUDGET: SEAGRAM’S

CLASSIC: TANQUERAY

PERFECT: BOMBAY SAPPHIRE

TEQUILA

BUDGET: AGAVALES

CLASSIC: JOSE CUERVO

PERFECT: 1800

WHISKEY

BUDGET: EVAN WILLIAMS

CLASSIC: MAKER’S MARK

PERFECT: WOODFORD RESERVE

MUST-HAVE MIXERS

TRIPLE SEC

SWEET VERMOUTH

LIME JUICE

LEMON JUICE

BITTERS

GRENADINE

SIMPLE SYRUP (SEE BELOW)

NICE-TO-HAVE MIXERS

DRY VERMOUTH

CRÈME DE MENTHE

COCONUT RUM

CAMPARI

ORGEAT SYRUP

FLAVORED BITTERS

simple syrup

Place 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. remove the pan from heat and let the syrup cool completely before using or storing.

BAR TOOLS

Much like dating, making a great cocktail requires a mix of charm, timing, and having the right tools so you don’t completely embarrass yourself. Sure, some drinks are as easy as pouring and pretending everything’s fine, but others require a little more effort (and maybe some emotional support). That’s where bar tools come in. Here’s what we recommend having on hand.

MUST-HAVES

COCKTAIL SHAKER

STRAINER

JIGGER

KNIFE

BOTTLE OPENER

CORKSCREW

NICE TO HAVE COCKTAIL STIRRER

MUDDLER

JUICER

ZESTER

GLASSWARE

Can’t drink without a glass! But you can always drink out of a different glass than the kind we recommend if you need or want to—just be sure to adjust the serving size accordingly, especially if your glass is smaller than the one we suggest.

MUST-HAVES

PINT GLASS

SHOT GLASS

ROCKS GLASS

HIGHBALL GLASS

NICE TO HAVE

MARGARITA GLASS

COCKTAIL GLASS

CHAMPAGNE FLUTE

MASON JAR

WISH LIST

HURRICANE GLASS

DAIQUIRI GLASS

IRISH COFFEE GLASS

SOUR GLASS

Now it’s time to move on—to the cocktails, of course. Each chapter in this book is centered around a different spirit. Because let’s be honest: Some hard truths go down easier with vodka, while others demand the dark poetry of whiskey.These drinks are designed to match the mood, the memory, and the sheer mess of it all. Enjoy them on your own, or throw a party with your friends, where you each bring a batch of drinks and your worst dating horror stories to share.

Ready to stir up old memories, shake them off, and toast to learning from our mistakes? It’s time to make some Pour Decisions.

Situationship, page 20

TEQUI-LIE TO ME

Just like a messy ex, tequila knows how to turn up the heat, loosen the truth, and leave you questioning your life choices the next morning.

This chapter is a salute to the heartbreaks that burned going down but somehow left you coming back for more. Whether you’re here for the saltrimmed tears or the lime-squeezed memories, these cocktails pack a punch worthy of the wild ride.

INGREDIENTS

1 oz. tequila

1 splash grapefruit juice

1 lime wedge (juiced)

2 oz. grapefruit soda

1 grapefruit wheel (garnish)

GLASSWARE

Highball glass

youup?

The dreaded 2 a.m. text. Sure, it’s probably worked out for someone in the long run, but for the rest of us? A flash in the pan that turns out to be fool’s gold. Alas. At least you have this tasty drink.

1 Add the tequila, grapefruit juice, and lime juice to a highball glass filled with ice and stir.

2 top with the grapefruit soda, stir again, and garnish with the grapefruit wheel.

INGREDIENTS

1¼ oz. tequila

2 oz. pineapple juice

1 oz. fresh lemon juice

¼ oz. grenadine

1 pineapple wedge (garnish)

1 maraschino cherry (garnish)

GLASSWARE

rocks glass

location on

“Why are you leaving the house?” “Why are you taking that road?” Better question—why did I think it was a good idea to let someone like that monitor my every movement? Turn off that location and find your happy place with this pineapple-forward treat.

1 Place the cocktail ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake vigorously, and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.

2 Garnish with the pineapple wedge and maraschino cherry.

INGREDIENTS

Salt, for the rim

½ oz. lime juice

1 oz. tequila

½ oz. orange liqueur

1 oz. cranberry juice

1 lime wheel (garnish)

Handful of fresh cranberries (garnish)

GLASSWARE

rocks glass

love bomb

There’s a difference between a love bomb and a honeymoon stage, and those of us who have experienced the former can tell you— it kind of rocks in the short term until you figure out what’s going on. Then it sucks. But hey, this cocktail will never turn on you—delicious every time!

1 Wet the rim of a rocks glass and dip it into salt.

2 Place the cocktail ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously.

3 Place ice in the rimmed glass, strain the cocktail into it, and garnish with the lime wheel and handful of cranberries.

INGREDIENTS

1¼ oz. tequila

¼ oz. Grand Marnier

1 lime (juiced)

1 oz. cranberry juice

1 orange slice (garnish)

GLASSWARE

cocktail glass (chilled)

Casually Cruel

Sometimes you date someone who brands themselves as “blunt” or who has a “dark sense of humor.” Unfortunately, sometimes those people just turn out to be plain mean. The things people do in the name of being honest!

1 Place the cocktail ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously.

2 Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with the orange slice.

INGREDIENTS

Salt, for the rim

2 oz. silver tequila

¾ cup fresh honeydew melon, diced

4–5 mint leaves

2 oz. fresh lime juice

1 oz. orange liqueur

¾ cup ice

1 mint sprig (garnish)

GLASSWARE

rocks glass

situationship

Almost everyone has been there. It’s the worst kind of willthey-won’t-they. Whether you’re the one waiting for a text or the one trying to decide if this thing is worth the time and effort, it’s nearly never as fun as it is anxiety-inducing. Soothe your nerves with this smooth libation.

1 Wet the rim of a rocks glass and dip it into salt.

2 Place the cocktail ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.

3 Pour the cocktail into the glass and garnish with the mint sprig.

INGREDIENTS

1 oz. gold tequila

1 oz. ginger ale

2 oz. grapefruit juice

1 dash orange liqueur

1 grapefruit slice (garnish)

1 maraschino cherry (garnish)

GLASSWARE

Highball glass

hot and Cold

One day you’re crazy in love, and the next day your love is driving you crazy. It may sound like a fun roller coaster, but it’s not. Exhilarating, yes, but so, so exhausting in the long run. Cool down with this fresh, fruity drink.

1 Add ice to a highball glass, then add the tequila, ginger ale, grapefruit juice, and orange liqueur.

2 Stir until thoroughly mixed.

3 Garnish with the grapefruit slice and maraschino cherry.

VARATION

if you don’t have a grapefruit slice available, an orange slice will do.

INGREDIENTS

1 oz. tequila

½ oz. Midori

2 oz. sour mix

2 maraschino cherries (garnish)

GLASSWARE

cocktail glass (chilled)

Center of the universe

If you’ve ever gotten into a relationship only to find out that you were apparently dating the king of the world, this drink is for you. These divine beings walk amongst us mortals, occasionally deigning to date one of us and absolutely ruin our lives with their insufferable egos.

1 Place the cocktail ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with crushed ice and shake until chilled.

2 Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with the maraschino cherries.

INGREDIENTS

Salt, for the rim

4 oz. reposado tequila

5–7 mint leaves

1 tablespoon cucumber, diced

2 oz. fresh lime juice

2 oz. mint syrup or agave nectar

Mint leaves (garnish)

1 lime wedge (garnish)

cucumber slices (garnish)

GLASSWARE

rocks glass

green-eyed monster

Look, it’s normal to get a little jealous from time to time. But the people this cocktail is named after don’t handle it quite so well. Drown that monster with this delightful refreshment.

1 Wet the rim of a rocks glass and dip it into salt.

2 Add the tequila, mint leaves, and diced cucumber to a cocktail shaker and muddle.

3 Add ice, the lime juice, and mint syrup or agave nectar and shake vigorously.

4 Fill the glass with ice, strain the cocktail into the glass, and garnish with additional mint, the lime wedge, and the cucumber slices.

INGREDIENTS

2 oz. silver tequila

1 oz. Midori

5 oz. white grapefruit juice

1 grapefruit slice (garnish)

GLASSWARE

Highball glass

the terrible texter

“How was your day?”

“Fine”

“Got any fun plans later?”

“No” . . .

You deserve better than one-word responses. You deserve this tasty drink.

1 Place the cocktail ingredients in a cocktail shaker, fill it twothirds of the way with ice, and shake until chilled.

2 Strain over ice into a highball glass and garnish with the slice of grapefruit.

INGREDIENTS

1 oz. añejo tequila

½ oz. simple syrup (see page 8)

2–3 dashes orange bitters

Lemon peel (garnish)

GLASSWARE

rocks glass (chilled)

golddigger

There’s a common misconception that you have to be rich to attract a gold digger. Not so! Most everyone is a potential victim of a partner who simply does not believe that they should ever have to pay a penny or lift a finger. Your money is much better spent elsewhere—for instance, on procuring the ingredients for this crisp, warming drink.

1 Place the tequila, simple syrup, and bitters in a chilled rocks glass and stir.

2 Add 1 to 2 medium ice cubes to the glass, stir for 30 to 45 seconds, and garnish with the lemon peel.

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