I spent several years bartending in a fine dining restaurant that had a heavy focus on craft cocktails. I got super excited about the concept behind the last cocktail list and wanted to submit my own in time for Nationals/Trials.

Most of these cocktails are based on classics, but some are my own creations. Enjoy responsibly! 

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Galieva/Gutsu

     The cocktail this is based on was originally made with brandy, but has been unceremoniously substituted for what is now the more popular version: gin. Both options are medal contenders!

Shake first 3 ingredients to chill;
Double strain into champagne flute

Top with champagne

Lemon Twist for garnish

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Brestyan Legs

     If you're still standing after downing one of these, congratulations on having the leg strength of A-Sac and Aly.

.75oz Vodka

.75oz Gin

.75oz Rum

.75oz Tequila

.75oz Whiskey

.75oz Triple Sec

.75oz Lemon

.75oz Simple Syrup

1oz Cranberry

Build ingredients in glass. Stir to combine and top with ice; garnish with a lemon peel and prepare to not be able to walk.

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Two-Handed Block

You can make it work with one Vermouth, but you get a better result with two.

2 oz Bourbon

.5oz Sweet Vermouth

.5oz Dry Vermouth

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Stir with ice until chilled, serve up.

Garnish with a luxardo cherry.

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Chellsie Memmel's Beam Magic

     Channel our favorite Adult Gymnastics Queen and her iconic beam choreography by juicing some lemons and squeezing them in the eyes of Steve Penny.

1.5oz Vodka

.75oz Lemon Juice

.75oz Limoncello

.25oz Simple syrup 

Shake all ingredients with ice to chill; Serve up in a martini glass and enjoy it like the adult that you are.

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3 Up, 3 Count

     Just like the scoring format, all three ingredients are vital.

2oz White Rum

1oz Lime juice

.75 Simple 

Shake, serve up. Garnish with lime twist

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Connection Bonus

     The mezcal rinse isn't necessary, but it does add something a little extra you weren't expecting. But do it. DO IT FOR GLORY.

2oz Reposado Tequila

.75oz Lemon juice

.75oz Benedictine Liqueur

Mezcal rinse (optional)

Angostura bitters 

Prepare a rocks glass by swirling around a splash of mezcal to coat the inside; dump the excess. Shake the rest of the ingredients until chilled, strain over fresh ice into prepared glass; finish with a dash of Angostura bitters over the top.

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Questionable Ring Leaps

     Complex and challenging, but glorious when done right. Problem is, both drink and skill are difficult to execute properly... so... good luck!

1.5oz Gin

1oz Lime Juice

.5oz Pineapple gum syrup

.5oz Orgeat (almond syrup)

1 Egg White

Club Soda 

Dry shake everything except club soda for 1 minute; add 2 cubes of ice (only 2!) and shake vigorously until the shaker is chilly. Pour 1oz soda water into a previously frozen Collins glass. Double-strain shaken cocktail into glass with soda. Top with a splash of more soda so the foamy head floats over the glass as high as a proper ring leap. Garnish with mint sprig poked through a lime wheel. Credit and no deductions if at least half your finished drink is foam. Credit with execution deduction if a quarter of your drink is foam. Anything less…. Well, you tried.

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Ponor's Dominatrix Leotard

     Dark, sophisticated, and just dangerous enough to make you want another. Spirit forward, it’s a drink for grown-ass women.

2oz Rye Whiskey 

1oz Amaro Nardini

2 dashes orange bitters

Stir to chill, serve up with an orange peel twisted over the top.

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Simone's Big D

     You kind of expect it, but are always blown away. Marvel at it. Revere it. Celebrate it.

2oz Bourbon

1oz Pineapple Juice

.75oz Lemon Juice

.75oz Pineapple Gum Syrup 

Shake all ingredients until chilled and double strain over fresh ice

Garnish with mint

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Enjoy responsibly! Now time for the non-alcoholic cocktails for our non-drinkers and under aged gymnerds.

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Blueberry Switch(el) Leap

     Switchel is a refreshing alternative to lemonade that utilizes vinegar. Just like a switch leap is in every beam routine ever, this staple N/A beverage should be at every BBQ ever. Swap out the filtered water for club soda for fizzy delightfulness. Serves 4

8oz blueberry juice

2oz raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar

2oz maple syrup

1 tsp fresh grated ginger

24oz filtered water

Blend all ingredients together in a pitcher and chill in the fridge for 2 hours. Serve over crushed ice with fresh blueberries to garnish.

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College Salute

Present it in such an ostentatious way that you fall over and salute yourself out of 1-tenth. Serves 4

6oz pomegranate juice

4oz mango juice

4oz pineapple juice

2oz lime juice

8oz tonic water

Combine all juices and chill in the fridge for 2 hours. Split between four glasses with ice and top with tonic water. Stir to combine and serve garnished with a fresh mint sprig.

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The Nastia Cup

Sweet, bright, and obnoxiously pink.

1oz strawberry puree

2oz lemon juice

1oz simple syrup
Fresh basil
Club soda

Shake with ice and a few leaves of fresh basil; top with soda water. Slap a fresh basil leaf between your palms and float on top for garnish.

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Front Chicken Dump

No matter the name, everyone and her aunt Patricia in NCAA and L10 will want to try it.

2oz pineapple juice

1oz lemon juice

1oz simple syrup

Fresh Mint

Ginger beer 

Shake pineapple, lemon juice, and simple syrup with fresh mint; double-strain over fresh ice and top with ginger beer. Mint sprig for garnish.

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The ingredients featured in these cocktails are easy to obtain: Most of the syrups, bitters, and luxardo cherries for garnish can be found at any big-box liquor store or specialty grocer. Simple syrup can be made at home with a 1:1 ratio of water:granulated sugar. As for the juices for the non-alcoholic cocktails, most grocery stores should carry them but squeeze fresh when you can, it makes a difference!

If you don’t want to buy full bottles of the liquors listed, the little minis you can buy at most big-box liquor stores are great options to sample things you normally wouldn’t try and are great for a single drink! There's only one real oddball on this list and that's the Amaro Nardini featured in Ponor's Dominatrix Leotard, but if you like Manhattans it's worth the purchase of the full-sized bottle.

Enjoy responsibly!