Presently, cocktails are rapidly gaining ground, not because many guests are asking for them at events and parties, but because their versatility and uniqueness is a good way to make parties memorable ones.
Truth be told, different restaurants can’t help but keep on finding new ways to reinvent their menus, at least to impress their guests with the best experience ever.
Portuguese cocktails are specifically unique and popular across the world, and so you should plan to factor them in your next party’s menu, alongside the main dinner feast.
Unfortunately, their recipes have remained the best-kept secret. What do we do?
This article unveils those secrets, taking you through the best Portuguese cocktails. So, you want to wow your guest during your next dinner party? Well, read through to the end.
Caprioska Portuguese Cocktail
When you head out for Portugal, bear in mind that Caprioska is certainly going to become your favorite drink whether you like it or not.
You see, after just one sip, you’ll get hooked to the drink almost immediately, thanks to its perfect blend of vodka, white sugar, lime and crushed ice cubes.
he recipe is simple, play around with the ingredients, because it all boils down to individual preferences. It goes without saying that the drink is refreshing.
But what you’ll like most about Caprioska is how much it’ll remind you of a fairy limeade. Or lemonade. Think about your mouth getting filled with melting crystals of sugar and extra tart. Just think about it. Cheers!
Morangao
This one will require:
- Strawberries
- Ice cubes (crushed)
- Lemon juice
- Licor Beirao
Either fresh or frozen strawberries can do well for this cocktail. Mix together the strawberries and lico beirao in a blender. Add two glasses of lemonade. Blend the contents for up to 1 minute. Place the mixture in a tumbler and get happy. Oh, throw some crushed ice cubes to the party and quench your thirst.
Daisy
The Portuguese Daisy is yet another awesome cocktail to impress your guests during dinner parties. Without further ado, get:
- 1 ounce of Brandy
- 1 ounce of lemonade
- ½ tablespoon of sugar
- ½ tablespoon grenadine syrup
- 2 ounces of ruby port
In a cocktail shaker, pour the brandy, ruby port, lemonade juice, grenadine and fine sugar. Make sure the shaker is half-filled with crushed ice cubes as you want to start feeling thirsty before taking a sip of the drink (you won’t help but keep sipping, literally). Next, shake the mixture well and pour into a cocktail glass. After that, garnish with a lemon wedge and serve your guests.
Port -Tonic
Port and tonic is a classic Portuguese appetizer, and dinners who’ve had the chance to experience it can attest that it’s the perfect addition for any dinner party.
Others view it as the right cocktail for pre-dinner meals during falls and winters. Here’s why.
Ingredients- one slice of orange, good quality tonic water, white port wine. There are lots of possibilities when it comes to Port-tonic, so adjust your mixing to suit your standards and those of your guests. Cheers!
Portuguese Martini
Truth be told, the Portuguese martini is the best of all other martinis, right? Well, others say it’s a truly classic drink to make your party a memorable one and here’s why.
Ingredients: 3 ounces of sweet version dry vermouth, a little gin, and lemon for garnishing.
Its preparation doesn’t actually need a recipe because you’ll only need to pour the three ingredients over crushed ice cubes. Next, serve a cup for yourself and others for your guests.
Portuguese Sangria
As we said earlier on, head to Portugal if you want to taste the world’s best wines. One fact about Portuguese port sangria- it’s complexly sweet and has been in existence since the 1670s!
In Portugal, Sangria is the local’s favorite cocktail. If you’ve no idea what the hell is white port sangria, it’s an exceptional drink with delicate flavors and a unique mix of sweetness.
But one reason why you won’t put the jug down until you’re done with your sangria is that this cocktail is highly refreshing. In real terms, it’s what you need.
Ingredients: Two cinnamon sticks, a few branches of mint, 1 pint of sliced strawberries, 2 slices of orange, port wine 2 cans of club soda, and ice cubes.
Place the mint, cinnamon, oranges and strawberries into a jug. Add port wine, stir and chill for up to two hours. Before serving, fill the jug with water and stir a bit. Serve in glasses with ice cubes.
Portuguese Milk Tea
Also known as milk drink, this is yet another classic cocktail for your dinner parties. You can drink it cold or warm.
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon cinnamon powder, 3 cups of milk, ¼ tsp nutmeg, and fine sugar. This is how to make this simple cocktail in a record 5 minutes:
Place the milk, sugar, cinnamon and sugar in a pan and heat until the content attains the temperature of tea. Pour into a cocktail glass and treat your guests to the best experience ever. You can add more sugar to enhance the sweetness.
Coffee Liqueur
The Portuguese coffee liqueur is a delicious cocktail that’s usually enjoyed after meals. The recipe is just simple and easy.
Ingredients: 2 lb of fine sugar, 6 cups of strong coffee, and 4 cups of pure alcohol. And you’re good to go!
Portuguese Ginjinha
Also known as Ginja, this cocktail features ginja berries that have been fermented in brandy. Traditionally, it’s served in cocktail glasses with cherry on the bottom.
To make yours at home, leave ginja berries in brandy and add water, cinnamon sticks and fine sugar. That’s how fast you can make your favorite cocktail.
Lico Beirao
Lico Beirao is a very popular cocktail in Portugal and Greece. It’s usually made from exotic herbs which give it a deep herbal flavor. Next, you can serve it in brandy glasses, with ice or alongside any mixer.
Nail in the Coff’n
Forget about its name but this cocktail is a perfect blend of bitter Italian amaro, Spanish liqueur, Japanese whisky, and Portuguese wine.
Ingredients: 1 ½ ounces of whisky, ¾ madeira wine (dry), ½ ounces of liqueur, ¼ ounces of Fernet Branca, and black cardamom for garnishing.
The process of making this awesome cocktail starts at adding all the above ingredients into a shaker or mixing glass with crushed ice cubes and stirring gently.
Strain the mixture into a coupe or cocktail glass. Next, garnish with freshly prepared cardamom. Serve and enjoy.
Portuguese Flip Cocktail
For this cocktail, you’ll need 2 shots each of gin, rum, brandy and whisky. You can also add your favorite ingredients as well. You also need ½ shot of sugar cane syrup, 1 fresh egg and nutmeg powder for garnishing.
This tasty cocktail is usually made with spirit-infused wine to give you a flavorsome cocktail that you can’t resist.
However, make sure to take health concerns into account, bearing in mind that there’s a raw egg somewhere.
If you or any of your guests are put off by raw eggs, go for flips instead. Mix all the ingredients together and serve in coupe glasses.
Watermelon Flip Cocktail
Sip your watermelon cocktail in the form of a refreshing gin spiced with Thai basil, egg white, and lemonade.
The purpose of the egg white is to keep body calorie count down and to also your cocktail a frothy twist. The result is a colorful, less sweet and easy-to-enjoy cocktail. It’s extremely fun.
Ingredients: 5 cups of peeled watermelon, Basil leaves (Thai), 2 ounces of gin, lemon juice, ½ cup of Thai basil-infused watermelon juice, 1 egg white, club soda, ice cubes and basil for garnishing.
To make the puree watermelon, combine basil and watermelon and blend until the mixture is smooth. Strain and place in a refrigerator.
Now, on to making the cocktail, mix together all the ingredients in a shaker. Add the ice cubes and shake well. Strain the content into a glass and garnish with basil.
Aberdeen Flip
Still on flips, let’s look at how to make the historical Portuguese cocktail. We’re talking about the cocktail with rich qualities which are complemented by sweet chocolate and black cherry tones to give party-goers a velvety, indulgent drink.
Ingredients: whole egg, 2 part Chivas-regal 18, 1 part Oloroso Sherry, 0.25 honey-infused spice syrup, chocolate bitters, and 2 tablespoons cherry jam.
Mix all the ingredients together in a shaker and shake thoroughly for 30seconds. Add ice cubes and shake for an additional one minute. Next, strain into cocktail glasses and enjoy your cocktail.
Port Wine Flip
Finally, get some 2 tablespoon of nutmeg powder, sugar, 1 ½ oz of port wine, 1 whole egg, and 2 tablespoons of cream.
Add all the ingredients except nutmeg powder into a shaker and shake thoroughly.
Add crushed ice cubes and shake for a further one minute. Strain into a coupe glass and sprinkle nutmeg on top and serve your guests.
We hope you’ve found our guide to the best Portuguese cocktails useful!