THE BEAUTY OF BALANCE — Classic Cocktails Made in Equal Measure
When I entertain, I want the experience to feel special but relaxed — elegant but never overcomplicated. I love the rhythm of hosting: setting the mood, curating the details and crafting the perfect cocktail of course! That’s why I often turn to drinks built in equal parts. Each ingredient given the same weight so no single note dominates, yet nothing is lost — measured precision that ensures perfection every time.
These cocktails also happen to be the ones I find myself ordering (and serving) on repeat. Each offers its own distinct character, yet all share the same ease of effort. With no complex ratios to fuss over, they allow me to focus on what truly matters — good company, lively conversation and the pleasure of a beautifully made drink.
Negroni
The Negroni is a staple in my repertoire, a cocktail as timeless as it is balanced. Gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth come together in a perfect interplay of bitter, herbal, and smooth. It’s bracing yet refined, the kind of drink that signals the start of an evening worth savoring. A single sip instantly transports me to a cafè in Florence, where aperitivo is an art form.
Paper Plane
For those who love a cocktail with modern sensibility, the Paper Plane delivers. Bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon juice create something both striking and approachable. There’s a brightness from the citrus, a gentle bitterness from the amaro and just enough warmth from the bourbon to make it deeply satisfying. It’s a drink that appeals to both whiskey and spritz-lovers and it always sparks curiosity — guests take one sip and immediately want to know what’s in it.
The Last Word
This cocktail is for those who appreciate sharp, herbal complexity. Gin, Green Chartreuse, maraschino liqueur, and lime juice create a drink that is lively, aromatic, and layered. The Chartreuse — a centuries-old liqueur made from a secret blend of 130 botanicals — adds an almost alchemical quality, making each sip feel like a delicious discovery.
Corpse Reviver No. 2
Originally intended as a morning-after remedy (but far too elegant to be reserved for such occasions), I prefer it as an apéritif — light, crisp, and wonderfully invigorating. Gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, and lemon juice come together with a delicate rinse of absinthe, adding a hint of anise that lasts just long enough. It’s the kind of cocktail that makes you want to linger at the table a little longer and allow the conversation to stretch into the evening.
Blood and Sand
There aren’t many scotch-based cocktails I gravitate toward, but Blood and Sand is an exception. Scotch, sweet vermouth, orange juice, and cherry liqueur combine for something subtly smoky, gently sweet and perfectly smooth. Named after the 1922 film Blood and Sand, it has a richness that feels cinematic in its own right.
These are the drinks to which I return not just for their balance of flavors but for the way they make entertaining feel intuitive. A few bottles, a few equally measured pours, and a well-chosen glass — no stress, no second-guessing, just a simple ritual that transforms an evening. Because we all know, the best gatherings aren’t about precision, but about pleasure — where the conversation and cocktails flow in equal measure. And these cocktails ensure there’s plenty of that to go around.
“Some of the best cocktails are also the simplest. These classics, built on equal parts, take the guesswork out of mixing. With no complicated ratios, they are brilliant for entertaining. When I make them, I use one ounce of each ingredient, a precise, yet effortless formula. With the right foundation in place, you’re free to adjust, experiment and most importantly, savor the moment.”
Five Equal Measure Classic Cocktails
Bourbon, Aperol, Lemon juice and Amaro Nonino — shake with ice until well-chilled and strain into glass. Garnish with lemon peel.
Negroni
Gin, Campari and sweet vermouth — stir in ice-filled mixing glass and strain into rocks glass with large ice cube. Garnish with orange peel.
Corpse Reviver No. 2
London dry Gin, Lillet blanc, orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice — shake with ice until well-chilled and strain into glass rinsed with absinth.
Blood and Sand
Scotch Whiskey, fresh squeezed orange juice, sweet vermouth, Heering cherry liqueur — shake with ice until well-chilled and strain into glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
The Last Word
Gin, green chartreuse, maraschino liquor and fresh lime juice — shake with ice until well-chilled and strain into glass. Garnish with a brandied cherry.