Dudes, bored with beer? Friends yawn when coming to your BBQ? Think wine is for wankers? Maybe it’s time you shake things up a bit with a couple of new cocktails. Your macho friends might balk, but they’ll stop making fun of you when they see the ladies swoon. No need to thank me later…

We checked in with two of CLT’s hottest bar queens to find out what’s in the mix. Casey Gogolin, catering manager of Aquavina, and Jen Williamson, official Red Bull Bulltender and award-winning bartender at Cans belly up...

The Pom Pom @ Aquavina

SJ: Why should we mix the Pom Pom this summer?
CG: It’s a really fresh drink, served very cold, and as long as you have the right ingredients, it will turn out well every time.

SJ: What’s the recipe?
CG:  2 parts PAMA pomegranate liqueur
 1 part vodka
 Splash of Triple Sec
 Ice
 Lemon twist
Pour first 3 ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake. Strain ice. Pour mixture in  chilled glass. Rub Lemon peel twist around rim and drop in drink. Enjoy.

SJ: Is the PAMA important?
CG: Yes! You can’t substitute this liqueur for something cheaper. This is made with real pomegranate juice--it even has the seeds at the bottom of the bottle. It gives the drink authentic flavor and [is] worth the extra money.

SJ: (Sipping delicious drink.) You’re right. It tastes like pomegranate, not pomegranate flavoring. Is it essential to have a shaker?
CG: Yes, go ahead and get a shaker if you don’t have one. It’s good to have one in a well-stocked bar.

SJ: You said it was important to have the PAMA liqueur, but does it matter what kind of vodka you use for mixed drinks?
CG: Vodka, if mixed, doesn’t need to be a premium brand, but keep the good stuff on hand if you’re making a vodka drink like vodka tonic or soda.

Want someone else to mix this drink for you? The wine room at Aquavina is open evenings from 4-10 pm Monday-Saturday.

Vodka Fresco @ Cans

SJ: Why mix the Fresco this summer?
JW: It’s light, cold and different from anything else. It would be great made up in a batch. This can be made with gin, too.

SJ: What’s the recipe?
JW:  Equal parts simple syrup (sugar water) and lime juice (about 2 tablespoons each)
  2-3 slices of cucumber
  1-1 ½ shots of good vodka
  ¼ cup sprite or club soda (depending on your taste)
  Lime wedge
  Ice
Put first 4 ingredients in the bottom of the glass (so you can see how much the  portion is). Put shaker bottom over glass and sort of toss back and forth to mix  thoroughly. Squeeze lime wedge into drink.

Jen’s Summer Peach
 1 shot simple syrup
 ¼ cup diced peach
 1-1/2 shots rum (I like Tommy Bahama White Sand. It’s high quality rum.)
 ¼ cup Welch’s Tropical Passion 100% fruit juice
 ¼ cup club soda
Put all ingredients in the bottom of a glass. Top with ice. Cover glass with  bottom of shaker and toss back and forth to mix. Enjoy!

SJ: What do you say to people who are having a party but are intimidated by mixing cocktails for each of their guests?
JW: I tell them to try some cocktails like these. Mix them beforehand and serve them from a pitcher. Set up a basic bar with good vodka like Ketel One, Grey Goose or Level and mixers like tonic, soda or even a cranberry juice if you don’t want to mix drinks. But try these. People are always surprised at the way a festive drink can liven up a party, but it really can! I see it all the time.

~ Sheri Joseph