The holiday season is upon us and celebrations are in full swing. If you’re hosting a get-together this year and are looking for a way to spice up the party, we have some tips, tricks and recipes for an unforgettable evening!
On this week’s Hennessy Conversation, we’re joined by Zack Prohaska, CEO & founder of Cocktails & Dreams, who showed us how to make some fancy drinks for the holiday season.
Top tip? Start your cocktails by pouring out the cheapest ingredients first. That includes mixers like juice and pop, or ice. This way, if you mess up your measurements, you’re not wasting more expensive things, like alcohol.
Another must-have? A jigger. This double-sided measuring tool allows you to measure out an ounce on one side, and two on the other. Prohaska shared that it’s the best tool to use when making cocktails at home to ensure you’re getting your measurements precise.
Here are some recipes for different delicious cocktails you can make using Hennessy this holiday season, (and long after the holidays are over!)
Old Fashioned
Combine the following ingredients in a glass:
- 4 dashes Bitters
- ½ ounce spiced brown sugar
- 2 ounces Hennesy
Add ice to your glass and mix. Then use a torch to burn a piece of star anise before adding it to the drink.
Cranberry Sidecar
Combine the following ingredients:
- ½ ounce cranberry juice
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce Triple Sec
- 1 & ½ ounce Hennesy
Mix the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, before straining into a glass and garnishing with a slice of lemon.
Hibiscus Sour
Combine the following ingredients:
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce hibiscus syrup
- 1 & ½ ounce Hennessy
Mix the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice before straining into a glass filled with ice and garnishing with dried roses and a spritz of rose water.
Advice for Other Entrepreneurs
From his skills behind the bar to his success as an entrepreneur, it’s obvious that Prohaska never stops and never settles. Along with the delicious recipes above, he shared some advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
“The number one thing for me is consistency. Actually man, consistency and patience.”
“Just knowing that it’s going to come as long as you keep moving. Because if you stop, you’re not going anywhere.”
Check out BG’s bartending skills, learn how to do some exciting bartending tricks and find out what inspired Prohaska to found Cocktails & Dreams on this episode of The Brandon Gonez Show.
